The second cop raised his gun, but Brixton was on him. He dropped the gun as he hit the ground, pinned by the giant wolf. Mace snatched it up, and Brixton leaped off the man, bounding toward Cass and Scarlett and quickly overtaking them.
The dire wolf dove into the boat’s cabin. Scarlett boarded, with Cass right behind her. Finally, Mace was inside. Cass started the engine, and they were off into the night.
Scarlett tried to catch her breath as she watched Brixton shift back. Then she looked away, face hot, when she realized he was totally naked.
Mace pulled some clothes out of a bag and threw them at Brixton.
“Thanks,” said the dire-wolf shifter.
“Everyone all right?” Cass asked from the driver’s seat.
“Yes.” Scarlett looked at each of the men around her. They all appeared whole and more or less fine. Unlike that cop with the injured hand. Scarlett rubbed her face with her hands, wondering what long-term impact the dire wolf’s crushing bite would have on the man’s life. She’d do what she could to make it right once this was all out in the open.
The burner phone in her pocket buzzed, and Scarlett picked it up.
“We’re back in the boat.”
“Good to hear, since there’s a call out on the police radio for reinforcements at the Goldenrod headquarters,” said Tyler. “I’m already into Moira’s emails—and holy shitballs. This is the mother lode.”
Scarlett’s smile spread across her face as he read email after email to her. There was one between Laylani and Moira where Laylani said she was ready for Moira to end her marriage. Then there were drafts of the falsified emails the bureau had used to frame Sigur Viður for her father’s murder. There were even monthly emails between Aaron Fox and Moira Ashworth discussing payment amounts.
“Those could be linked to the bribes Cass was paying the police,” said Tyler. “This should be enough to subpoena their bank accounts.”
“Is there anything about the National Theater?” asked Scarlett. Would all her wishes be granted tonight?
Tyler was silent for a long minute. “Nothing obvious, but I’ll keep looking.”
Her heart fell. She was beyond grateful their mission had been successful in so many ways, but she couldn’t be happy until Brayden was freed. She’d hoped for evidence that would make it impossible for the courts not to pardon him, but unless Tylerdug something up, she’d have to think of another plan—fast.
As they approached the drop-off point in a small alcove off Cobalt Canal, Scarlett thanked each of the men for their help with the mission. “This wouldn’t have succeeded without all of you,” she said as she shook Brixton’s hand. “I’ll have Cass send double the agreed amount to each of your accounts.”
Rex and Lock both dipped their chins in acknowledgment before disembarking. They strode off in different directions.
“We’re rooting for you. Get justice for your pops and then open the damn border.” Mace patted her shoulder, and then he was off.
“I’ll do my best,” said Scarlett as he departed into the night.
“I’m a believer in the cause too,” said Brixton. “If you need any help, you know where to find me.”
She thanked him and waved as Brixton followed Mace into the night. Now it was just her and Cass. She stared out into the water, taking it all in. Tonight had changed everything, and it was only 11 p.m. Then she looked down at the two unconscious men lying on the floor of the boat. The night wasn’tquiteover.
As promised, Cass and Scarlett took the men and dumped them on the dock by the nearest hospital. To Scarlett’s relief, someone was approaching them before the dock had disappeared from view.
She put Tyler on speakerphone as they headed toward the Spencer house, and they listened in silence as he continued to search through the wealth of information they’d found. The list of incriminated government officials grew longer by the minute.
“A lot of people are going to get arrested tomorrow,” said Nori.
Fuck yes, they are.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SIX
Thank the Goddess!” shrieked Elestine when they were shown into the Spencer home. The three Spencers had waited up in the sitting room. She hugged first Scarlett, then her husband.
“Scarlett, tell us everything!” Edward stumbled toward her like he’d had quite a few drinks, and Cass caught him, helping him onto the sofa. “I’m so chuffed you made it back unscathed,” he said from his lowered vantage point.
Scarlett’s judgment of him softened at the heartfelt sentiment, and as her shock subsided, she found she wanted to tell Elestine and Edward everything. So she did, including a recount of the police shoot-out. She even mentioned the stapler that had fallen to the floor in Lord Federsin’s office.
