Page 103 of Exposé

Is he being serious?

"Sir, I don't think that's the case here. I've never seen so much drug activity in Riverfield, and I was born here. I'm worried about our town."

A stiff smile crossed his face. "You've done a great service to us all by reporting the facts. People trust you. You shouldn't soil that trust by writing an inaccurate story. NeuraZene is not worth the trouble."

"It's not the drug necessarily, as it is the suspicious drug busts, sir." I crossed my leg over the other and pinned my back straight over my paper. "The raids have been unusually forceful, and some people are saying this isn’t about taking out local dealers—something bigger might be at play. Are you aware of any special task forces or outside groups involved?

"I can’t comment on every operational detail. You know this. But the city’s goal is to remove dangerous substances from our neighborhoods." Mayor Haynes' face twitched before relaxing back into a smooth smile. "And if that means working with outside agencies, then our police department isn't beyond that idea."

"So, is it safe to say the RPD has federal assistance in these cases?"

Why didn't he seem concerned?

It was as if our Mayor had become a regurgitating robot, and all of his answers were programmed in.

"That sounds likespeculation, Ms. Thatcher. I recommend relying on verified information."

I frowned and circled the word 'DEA'. "So, to be clear, there may or may not be outside authorities influencing these raids or at least supporting them?"

The Mayor let out a dismissive huff and leaned back in his chair. "It’s not my place to detail every chain of command or every initiative. Let’s trust the process." Mayor Haynes rose to his feet, smoothing a hand down the front of his sweater. "Ms. Thatcher, for your safety and the well-being of the people, I urge you not to dig too deep into this issue. Your talents could be used on a different topic. A safer one."

A chill rattled between my shoulder blades as I got to my feet, weight pressing down on my shoulders. He grinned at me, his eyes glinting and dark.

"That feels almost like a...threat."I cocked my head to the side as I grabbed my recorder. "Clearly, that isn't your intention, is it, Mayor Haynes?"

"Quite the opposite." He tucked his hands into his pocket and rocked back on his heels. "I don't want people getting startledand causing an uproar over something that's already being dealt with."

"I think you underestimate the abilities of your people."

"Time after time, citizens show their true colors. If there’s even a whisper of danger, panic isn’t far behind." He walked around his desk and directed me to the door. "Remember the storms? How stores emptied out in hours? People are like spooked cattle—skittish, and ready to stampede at the slightest noise." His hand wrapped around the door handle. "So I'll reiterate. Find another story. This one is being handled by people more capable than you or I."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for your time, Mayor Haynes." I stuck out my hand and shook his, my eyes darting back to the partially opened wall safe.

"Have a good day. Stay out of trouble, Ms. Thatcher."

I held in a laugh and turned out of his office with my chin lifted, but my spirits in the utter tank. Switching off my recorder, I tucked it into my pocket, walked down the hall, and exited the building.

Taking in a deep breath, I walked down the sidewalk in a trance, my thoughts bustling like the main street before me. I paused at the street and pressed the crosswalk button, waiting for the light to turn, my brows furrowed with thought.

The Mayor all but confirmed an agency was involved, his hesitancy was proof enough, the backtracking the icing.

So which agency was it?

And why did they get involved?

The crosswalk dinged, and I hustled across as it counted down, my eye catching a familiar figure, leaning against the brick wall, his head tipped down to his phone.

I raised a brow and crept up behind him, tapping him on the shoulder. "Nate? What are you doing here?"

20

Nate

Her finger pressed into my shoulder, and I forced a startled jump.

Tearing my eyes from the cloning software, I turned, one brow lifting with amusement. "So youarestalking me."

Ava stared at me with a glint in her eyes. "I just finished my interview." She looked me up and down. "How did you change and get here so fast? Whatareyou doing here?"

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