Page 100 of Pretty Monsters

"That brings me to the real reason I asked to meet with you," Teddy interjects.

Holbrook taps his knuckle on the thick file. "This is a good start, but it isn't enough to hang Blackthorne. There are boxes and boxes of reports from drug running, gun sales, and human trafficking, but he's a slippery fucker."

He winces. "Sorry for my language."

I shrug. "Heisa slippery fucker."

"What do you need?" Teddy asks. The look on his face signals he is already in possession of the answer.

"I need direct evidence of human trafficking. Anything short of that and the federal prosecutor won't even move to indict."

"What if we had a victim?"

Holbrook leans forward. "That would be a game changer."

"Certain protections need to be met before I bring them to you," Teddy hedges.

"What are we talking here?"

"Immunity." The silence is deafening as we wait for Holbrook to respond to Teddy's demand.

He blows out a breath. "That's a big ask. You're going to need to give me some details."

"Not all of Blackthorne's soldiers are willing participants. I've got two of them who were coerced by threat of death to commit the crimes. One of them has existed as a slave since he was a child. He's never had a choice in anything he's done."

Holbrook digests the information. "I'm assuming we're discussing Lucien Blackthorne and this man?" He pulls another photograph of Sin from the stack and sets it on top.

How long have they been gathering evidence?

"My brother has been captive just as much as I have been. From the time he was a child he has been trained to do what he was told. My father doesn't give love, he gives orders. If those orders aren't followed, you die. It doesn't matter if you are family or a stranger. Everyone is dispensable," I step in.

"And the other man?" Holbrook asks. He's listening, but not giving any indication where he's leaning.

I gesture to Teddy. "He already explained it to you. He was taken as a child. He has no memory of his parents, or how he came to live with Damien. He's been violated and used in every way a person can be. My father tore him down until he was nothing more than a weapon to be wielded. Damien has police and other government officials on his payroll. Where was he going to turn for help?"

I think I see a glimmer of sympathy in his expression, but it's fleeting. "I assume there's a plan B. What are you going to do if I can't help you?"

My heart skips a beat, and picks back up in a stuttering rhythm. It hurts to breathe. "They are planning to turn themselves in to Governor Whitmore's task force."

He nods. "They won't find much help there. The governor has made a name for himself as being hard on crime. He can't be seen making deals with murderers if he wants to remain in office. He might be on the right side of the law, but he's equally as ruthless as Blackthorne."

"Then we'll run." I'd make them see this was the only path.

Holbrook shakes his head. "Your father has resources, men, and time. You might buy yourself some years, but they'll be spent looking over your shoulder. One day he will find you."

"So it's hopeless then," I say despondently.

He gathers the files, and puts them back in his bag. "Let me make some calls. I don't have the authority to offer immunity. I want to help, but I don't know if it will be approved. I'll call when I hear back."

Ted gets out of the booth and extends his hand to me. "Make them see it's the right call. You'll never get another chance like this to take him down."

31

Descent Into The Black

Sin

"I don't seea sign that anyone has been here," Lucien calls out from the top floor.

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