“Andy Bernas and Marcus Wells.”
“Is there anything else you can tell us, Charlie?”
Corinne is quiet for a few minutes, peering over my shoulder toward the window.
“My dad’s dirty. He’s got his hands in a lot of criminal activity. I want to see him rot in a prison. Get him on anything you can.”
“I’d love nothing more than that, but without proof or something more to go on, I’m not sure that’s possible.”
“Look into Luxe Lavou. I’m positive you’ll find he’s been laundering money through the place.”
I share a glance with Lanie, and I’m a little unnerved to find not a hint of surprise. What does she know?
“And the shipyard at the docks. He’s running drugs or something from there. He’s always talking about important cargo.”
“Thanks, Charlie. I’ll do my best to ensure he goes away.”
Our time’s up, as indicated by Charlie being catapulted from Corinne. She’s bent over the table, heaving in air, all the while Charlie looks perfectly fine. Bored, even.
“Can I go now? Some guy named Harry is trying to talk to me. He says I need to stick around in limbo for a while longer. I’m gonna fight him.”
Oh, thank god. Harry can guide him back.
“You should probably listen to him. He’ll help you.”
He doesn’t waste time, disappearing without another word.
I glance around the table, meeting everyone’s eyes. “He’s gone.”
Nick pulls his phone from his pocket and begins to type. “I’m trying to write down all that was said before I forget.”
“Why am I still here?” Billy groans. “He admitted to my death. Shouldn’t I be well on my way to paradise?”
He should. At least, one would think so.
“I don’t know, Billy. It looks like there’s more to uncover.”
I slump back into my chair, feeling utter defeat.
“I need some fresh air,” Nina says, jumping up from the table and rushing from the room.
I go to stand, but Nick pulls my arm down. “She’ll be okay. She’s innocent in all this. Just give her some time.”
“He’s right,” Lanie chimes in. “Thankfully, she never had access to their accounts. She’s in the dark, and that’s the best news tonight.”
Lanie closes her eyes and breathes, Corinne moving to her side and grabbing her hand.Comfortingis not a word I’d typically associate with Corinne, but maybe I’ve been too hard on her. Her head lifts and our eyes meet.
“If Richard was trying to get rid of the people who knew Charlie’s secret, and he attempted with Jenna, then he had to have been involved with Jackson’s,” Corinne adds to the conversation, getting us back on track.
“The two men in the back of the car were Andy and Marcus. There’s no doubt in my mind,” Jackson says. “I was acquainted with Marcus from pool at Clementine’s. The stockier man in the bed of the truck always looked familiar, but I couldn’t put a name to the face. As soon as she said it, I knew.”
I relay the info to Nick, and he scowls.
“This is all well and good, but without solid proof, we’ve got nothing.” He scratches his head. “We need evidence to pin Richard, Andy, and Marcus to murder. The fender with the paint should help prove that Charlie caused Billy’s accident and that Richard at the very least attempted to cover it up, but outside of that... we’ve got nothing.”
“I can help with that,” Jackson says, coming into the conversation. “I got hard up for money and started blackmailing Dunbar around December of 2021.”
My hand slaps my forehead. “Where was this information weeks ago, Jackson?”
