But he’d spent nineteen years never backing off from a case. Never letting danger stop him from pursuing justice. It was who he was.
“I promise I’ll be as careful as I can be,” he said finally. “That’s the best I can offer.”
“I know.” The disappointment was evident in her voice, and so was the resignation. She pressed her forehead against his. “Just...come home to me. That’s all I ask. Every day, come home.”
“Always,” he promised. “Always.”
They went to bed, wrapped around each other, both trying not to think about the storm that was coming.
Because investigating Shaw wasn’t just about solving cold cases or exposing corruption.
It was about challenging a system that had let a dirty cop operate for decades.
It was about taking on powerful people who would fight to protect their own.
It was about risking everything—career, reputation, safety—for the sake of truth.
And Carson Black had never been good at walking away from a fight.
Especially when justice was on the line.
***
Over the next two weeks, the investigation into Shaw intensified.
Warrants were approved. Phone records showed Shaw had regular contact with several numbers they couldn’t yet trace. Financial records revealed not just the deposits but also large cash withdrawals—sometimes $10,000 or more at a time.
“Money laundering,” Finn said, pulling up transaction records. “He deposits cash in small amounts to avoid triggering federal reporting requirements. Then he withdraws larger sums later. Classic pattern.”
“Can we trace who he gave the money to?”
“Working on it. But if he’s smart—and it looks like he is—he’d use cash for everything. No electronic trail.”
Carson reviewed Shaw’s travel records again. Every month for the past five years, Shaw flew to Washington. Sometimes just for a day or two. Sometimes for a week.
And during several of those trips, evidence had gone missing from the Blackridge PD evidence room.
“Someone here is working with him,” Carson said. “Someone with access to evidence. Someone Shaw trusts.”
“That’s a short list,” Finn said. “Evidence room is restricted access. Only senior personnel can authorize removal or destruction of evidence.”
“Make me a list of everyone with that access. Current and former employees.”
While Finn worked on that, Carson prepared for his interview with Dan Morrison.
The DA had approved a deal—reduced sentence in exchange for full cooperation. Dan’s lawyer had agreed. Now it was just a matter of getting Dan to talk.
Carson entered the interview room where Dan sat in orange prison scrubs, looking thinner and more haggard than the last time Carson had seen him.
“Detective Black,” Dan said flatly. “Come to gloat?”
“Come to offer you a chance to reduce your sentence.” Carson sat across from him. “Your lawyer told you about the deal?”
“Twenty years instead of thirty. Some deal.”
“Better than life, which is what Eugene’s looking at.” Carson opened his folder. “I need information. About how you and Eugene operated. Specifically, how you avoided getting caught for so long.”
“Why should I help you?”
