Page 101 of Dark Truths

Jacob looks surprised at the director’s admission. “Wait, his cover’s blown? You said he was in danger and that’s why we had to come here. Not that his cover was blown.”

An unsettling feeling grows as I mentally go through a list of possible traitors. Because someone is. I was too careful, so there’s no way this is because of me. Nor was it the DiAngelo’s. As angry as they are about the truth, they would never do that to Gabriella. Which leaves Alexei and the two men in front of me…

…but based on Jacob’s reaction to the news of my cover being blown, it wasn’t him either.

I place my hand on my gun but don’t yet draw it as I step out of my hiding spot."How did you find out my cover was blown, Ford?"

Ford spins toward me, opening his arms wide like some kind of welcoming gesture. "Ah! There you are, Clark."

I don't return his greeting. "Answer my question."

Ford sighs like my question is unnecessary and beneath him to answer. "It's all over the department."

A quick glance at Jacob tells me that's a lie. So what else is he lying about? I tug my gun free but keep it behind my back. "I don't see how that's possible, given I only just learned it myself."

"Word travels quick."

“You told Sergei,” I guess. “You’re the reason my cover is blown.”

Ford smirks, confirming my suspicion.

“Why?”

“Why?” Ford repeats back. “Because you were starting to get too close.”

“Too close to what?”

“The truth.”

“What truth? That Sergei is behind the human trafficking in Miami?”

Ford snorts. “Sergei is nothing more than a pawn.”

Jacob steps around the vehicle and approaches Ford cautiously. “Ford, what did you do?”

Realization hits me like a bolt of lightning. “It’s you. You’re the boogeyman. You’re the one behind the human trafficking.”

“What?” Jacob asks in shock but I ignore him. My focus remains on Ford.

"Why?" I ask. “You greenlit the mission to look into the human trafficking. Why would you do that if you’re the one behind it?”And then the reason clicks in my brain. “Because how better to keep an eye on an operation than from within, right? With a man on the inside, you can control the narrative.”

“You always were a little too smart for your own good,” Ford states, shaking his finger at me. “Truthfully, I never expected you to find anything. Tell me, how did you find that warehouse?”

I’m not about to reveal my source. Not to this traitorous bastard. “Pure luck.”

“Bullshit. Who told you?”

“No one.”

Ford draws his gun and points it at me. I expected as much at some point. “Tell me.”

“If you think a gun is going to scare me, then you really don’t know me very well.”

Ford cocks his head from side to side, as if weighing my words. “Fair enough.” Then he points the gun at Jacob. “How about now?” He pulls the trigger, and Jacob falls to the ground with a painful shout while he clutches his bleeding leg. I’m ready to raise my gun and fire, and ask questions later, when Ford steps in front of me and levels his gun at my chest.

“Back up and toss that gun you’re hiding into the woods while you’re at it,” he orders, and I begrudgingly obey.

Fucking Ford. I need to get rid of him. Dead or alive. One way or another.

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