Page 126 of Raise Hell

I glare at the closed door of Captain Humphrey’s office. This was supposed to be my year. I finally clawed my way to the top of the social heap, secured my place in Havoc House, and subsequently my future, which means a lifetime of support for Mamma and Felicia.

And now all of it is hanging on by a thread because of one girl.

Olivia fucking Pratt.

I hadn’t planned on fucking her in the chapel, that had been a mistake.

When I followed her into the church, my intention had been to squeeze her for information. I wanted to confront her with the video, force her to give me an explanation that actually makes sense. Stealing the rosary had been an impulsive decision. But with her fingerprints, I can at least run a background check and find out if there is anything in her past she might be trying to hide.

Anything that would explain how we got here.

Captain Humphrey walks back into the room with a manila folder in his hand. Instead of simply handing it over, he takes a seat in the cushy office chair behind the desk.

“Is that my report?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“It is,” he replies carefully. “But there are a few things we need to discuss before I just hand it over.”

Without missing a beat, I reach for my bag. “Should I make the check out to the auxiliary or just to you?”

We always deal in cash, but he gets the point.

“Now, wait just a damn minute. That isn’t what I mean, you little shit.”

This dance is what I hate the most. God forbid, we just admit what it is we’re really doing here. “Please, enlighten me.”

He steeples his fingers under his chin as he leans over the desk. “It’s probably best for all of us if the station doesn’t get any more calls from St. Bart’s. I’m hoping you all can manage to keep the peace up there.”

“We always do our best.”

“Because…because if there are any more problems, then I might not be able to keep it to the local level, like we always have before. I hope you understand what I mean. This town won’t be able to handle another scandal.”

His warning is loud and clear. Any more coeds turn up beaten half-to-death, and the local cops aren’t going to be able to keep it quiet.

“I understand.” I force myself to smile, even though I know there isn’t any warmth in it. “And I hope you’ll accept my assurance that we greatly appreciate the relationship that St. Bart’s has managed to develop with the local police here in Drumville. I can’t imagine there will be any more problems.

His mouth tightens. “Your father made me the same promise.”

“I’m sure he appreciates your discretion as much as I do.” I hold my hand out for the folder. “May I?”

I take hold of the edge, but he doesn’t immediately let go.

“Did you look at these records?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Doesn’t seem like there would be any need for that.”

“My father, and his associates, would very much appreciate if it was as if I never came here today.”

I deliberately don’t say the words Havoc House, mostly because neither my father or the alumni actually know I’m here. But let him think I have the full force of their support behind me. The threat should be enough that he keeps whatever is in this report to himself.

“Of course.” After a beat, Captain Humphrey finally releases the folder. “And I’ll go ahead and take that donation.”

Of course, he will.

I reach into my bag and pull out a clean stack of bills. It’s two thousand dollars, enough that I hope he forgets this conversation.

He flips through the bills, counting them, as I stand to leave. No matter how dirty it makes me feel, this was necessary.

“Thank you for your time, Captain Humphrey.”

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