Page 17 of Fallout

“Jasper is a good man.”

Destiny leaned forward a little. “This might be only a sentiment, but don’t be concerned. Give yourself a moment to let go of the worry and take a breath. Taking a second will help.”

“I should have more confidence in my decisions.”

She smiled slightly. “Is that what I should’ve told you?”

He smiled in return. “What you said was lovely. Thank you.”

The door slid open again. Jasper and his partner came in, followed by Clare and Gage.

Clare said, “Gage is going to take me home, Destiny. Are you good to make your own way back?”

Destiny had the Famous Ones on hand to ensure she returned safely to the office building. “I’m good. Thank you.”

She wanted to be here when the police questioned Brent. She was supposed to report back to Vanguard on how the conversation went and what they covered.

The female cop slid the door shut and came over with her hand out. “Detective Samantha Jesse.”

“Destiny Reed. Nice to meet you.” She didn’t get up.

Jasper said, “Uncle Brent?”

“She stays.” He motioned to Destiny.

She smiled sweetly at Jasper, whose eye twitched.

“Okay, then.” He pulled over a chair, turned it backward, and sat astride it.

When guys did that it was hot, but sometimes, it was overused. Right now wasn’t the time to be attracted to him. Though, convincing herself he was a cliché didn’t work either.

He asked, “Can you explain the nature of the slur spray-painted across the wall in your office?”

“She told me her name was Honey.” Brent cleared his throat. “I’m not proud of it. My wife was out of town, visiting a girlfriend in San Diego. The…incident…was captured on video and used to coerce me into keeping it quiet. Even if nothing actually happened they’ve managed to make it look like it did.”

“You were blackmailed?” Detective Jesse asked.

“By a man I’ve never met, whose name I don’t know.”

Jasper’s face twisted. “What did he want? Apart from your cooperation and your money?”

“An ongoing relationship wherein I provide favors in exchange for his continued silence.” Brent held himself together. She had to give him credit for that.

“And this incident tonight? Do you think he’s trying to communicate with you?”

“Who knows what he is doing?”

They’d gone over his desire to be truthful with Jasper and how he could word answers in order to not implicate Vanguard or get himself in more trouble. No one wanted to get in the way of the police department. They’d lost officers and needed to close this case themselves—legally. Vanguard had ways of doing that under the table. Or on the side. Evidently, the Famous Ones had destabilized a country once, toppling a dictator from power so the opposition could put their man in his place.

Benson wasn’t exactly an empire that needed to be disrupted, but Destiny had a newfound respect for the fight. Evil couldn’t win.

It had already taken enough from her.

“I’d like a copy of the tape.”

Brent hesitated.

Jasper said, “You knew I would ask.”

---