Page 129 of The System

Theo leaned over the table, smirked at Dylan, and said, “That’s what the little bitch deserves. I’m tired of this shit. She didn’t give me what I want. She doesn’t get what she wants. Let her be in there with all those women. They can’t fuck her. She’ll never have another guy touch her again. And I’ll visit her and finally tell her that I’m the one that saved her all these years.”

“Oh, I assure you, Theodore, women can indeed fuck other women,” Dylan said as she stood up. “And you’re under arrest. I’m booking you for Nick May, but Miami PD will want you for Cory, and I’m sure the town down the ways will want you for that teenager you murdered in cold blood.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? We were just talking in here.”

“You were read your rights. You said as much when you walked in this room. We’ve been recording this whole conversation. Now, I’ll give you that phone call. I’d suggest you use it to call a lawyer,” Dylan said and left the room.

“Well, we can’t have two people charged for the same crime when there’s no conspiracy or evidence that they shot him together, and I can’t see that happening here, given this confession,” Kevin said.

“You’re letting Marin go?” Kieran asked as she turned to him.

“I can’t do that, Kieran.”

“What? Why not? He just–”

“Kieran, there are still some fraud charges. The fake name and social security stuff,” Carina reminded. “He can’t just drop those. But maybe he can give her a deal?” She looked at Kevin.

“I’ll talk to Jason and see what we can do, but he’s not going to just give her probation.”

“Shorter sentence and credit for time served,” Carina replied. “Each count to be served concurrently instead of consecutively. Two years. Out in one. Probation after that.”

“You’re not Jason,” Kevin said as he laughed. “But I guess you probably will be soon enough.” He picked his briefcase up off the floor and turned to Kieran. “Amazing. She would’ve been in prison for life. No one would’ve put this guy to these crimes, Kieran, but you did. You saw it. And now, we can lock up this sick prick and get your sister out. If you’re ever looking for a job, I’m sure Carina would hire you as an in-house investigator for the DA’s office.”

Kieran laughed and said, “No, I’m good with my code. I like my job and don’t plan on needing a new career path anytime soon.”

“Just as well. I don’t know if they’d let Carina hire her girlfriend.” Kevin nudged Carina’s shoulder with his own and left the room.

Kieran turned back to see that Theo was now pacing in the interview room and said, “I didn’t know he’d be that sick.”

“Well, it takes someone that sick to do all this,” Carina suggested. “But Kevin’s right: you figured it out. You did it.”

“Dylan did it. I can’t believe she got him to confess like that. She really is that good, isn’t she?”

“There’s a reason she’s about to be Captain Easton. She’s really good at this. But you did the work that got her in that room.” Carina took Kieran’s hands into hers. “You did the work that got that sicko arrested. Everyone else just thought he was some kid Marin burned with cigarettes, but you knew better.”

An officer entered the room and told Theo to turn around before he put handcuffs on him.

“And now, we’ll close three cases, and he’ll never hurt anyone ever again.” Carina leaned forward and pressed her forehead to Kieran’s. “You’re amazing.”

“I don’t feel amazing.”

“You should. And you know what I think we need to do right now?”

“What?” Kieran asked, thinking Carina couldn’t possibly be talking about sex.

“Call Frank and give him the good news.”

Kieran laughed.

CHAPTER 37

“So, what does this mean? And why are you here?” Marin asked and looked from Frank to Kieran and over to Carina. “Frank said you weren’t on this case anymore.”

“I’m not,” Carina replied.

“She’s with me,” Kieran said and took Carina’s hand.

“No shit?” Marin asked her sister.

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