Page 60 of Savage Justice

“Because they’re idiots. And corrupt.”

“Everyone will believe it,” she wails. “I could still go to jail…”

“We won’t let that happen.” I’m making promises I may not be able to keep, but what’s the alternative? Agree with her that this nightmare may not be over, even now?”

“What about my kids? What’s going to happen to them? I don’t care about my career, but—”

“Nothing’s going to happen to them, or to you. They’re fine. Lucy’s excited about seeing you again.”

“I need to thank Ruth. And Jenna.”

“No, you don’t.” I don’t bother to tell her that while Ruth and Jack took little Noah in with them, Lucy has spent the last three days glued to me.

“He’s not going to stop, is he?” She grabs the front of my shirt. “Oh God, I need to disappear again. I knew it. I can’t be safe as long as—”

“Molly, stop this. We’ll deal with him.”

“You said he was dealt with already. You told me he was gone. You were wrong. How can I be sure he won’t…”

I cup her chin in my palm and lift her face, so she has no choice but to meet my gaze. And hold it. “Because I’m going to deal with it personally this time. And my solution will be permanent.”

She falls silent. We pass the rest of the journey without further conversation. What more is there to say?

“Good to see you back, Ms Lowe.” Ethan greets Molly cordially enough.

He’s at Caernbro Ghyll when we get back there, letting Lucy beat him at chess while Robbie waits for his turn. Ethan gets to his feet and gestures for Robbie to take his place while Lucy rushes at her mother and hugs her around the waist.

“I missed you, Mummy,” she shrieks. “Nico said you’d be back soon, but I still missed you…”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I couldn’t—”

“Well, you’re here now,” Lucy says, releasing her so she can retake her seat at the table. “I’m winning.”

Ethan ruffles Robbie’s hair. “I left you in a mess, mate. Sorry. See what you can do…”

Robbie grabs at his castle and swipes it across the board. “Check,” he crows.

That boy has no mercy.

But he’s up against a worthy adversary, it would seem. Lucy grins and swoops her queen from one end of the board to the other, to take the castle with a flourish and get out of check.

Ethan beckons me, Molly, and Tony to follow him, and we leave the tournament in full swing to reassemble in the main office on the first floor.

Jack and Aaron are already there, poring over spreadsheets. They abandon that when we all troop in.

“I trust your ordeal wasn’t too awful, Ms Lowe.” Ethan pours coffee for all of us. “I’m sorry it took so long to get you out. The wheels of injustice turn slowly, it seems. Especially when bent coppers are involved.”

She accepts the coffee with a smile, but I see her hands are still shaking. Not sure if anyone else has noticed.

“I know you did all you could, and I’m grateful. I gather I have you to thank for that lawyer. I’ll pay you back, obviously.”

Ethan merely grunts. Despite what he said to me over on Caraksay, I know the money won’t be much of an issue for him. He’s far more pissed off that Kaminski didn’t deliver what he promised.

Sure enough. “Thank you, but I’m not interested in the cash. I want a favour.”

She sets down her cup with a rattle. Now, there can be no mistaking the tremor in her hands, and her voice. “A favour? What can I do…?”

An excellent question. “Boss, you can’t expect—”

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