Page 57 of Resolutions

I investigate the refrigerator, revealing an equally impressive selection of beverages. “I'm down to live here,” I joke, both of us laughing as we prepare our drinks and take seats at the conference table. I pull out my folder and place it beside me in case I spill my coffee.

When the door opens minutes later, Farris enters with a man who can only be Law. If Farris was a tree, Law is a mountain -the kind of man whose mere presence commands attention. His strong jaw beneath a neat beard, military-precise crew cut, and penetrating gaze mark him unmistakably as the one in charge. While he matches Farris's height, Law's neck seems to flow directly into impossibly broad shoulders, his sky-blue blazer and white shirt doing nothing to diminish his imposing physique. The safety I felt with Farris doubles in Law's presence. Looking at him, I think here is someone who could go toe to toe with Michael.

His deep, resonant voice fills the room as he greets Evelyn warmly. “Mrs. Whitaker!” He engulfs her in a bear hug. “So good to see you.”

“Wallace - sorry, Law,” she beams. “Your mother says to call more often and please, please find a girl.”

“I love Miss Cora,” Farris laughs.

When Law turns to me, his handshake conveys carefully restrained power. “You must be Melanie.”

“Nice to meet you, Sir.”

“Law, please.” His smile puts me more at ease. “Have a seat while I grab some water. We're pretty informal here - if you want something, help yourself.” He tosses a bottle to Farris before retrieving his own. “Now, I'm going to record our conversation for reference and research purposes. It won't leave the building. I just want to make sure I don't miss anything. Alright?” He places a small recorder on the table. We both nod and he pushes play. “This is Law. This recording begins the meeting with Evelyn Whitaker and Melanie Johnson. Farris is also present. Melanie has brought and placed on the table a manila folder with papers inside. Evelyn and Melanie, you both agree to being recorded, yes?”

We both state our agreement and Law takes the seat at the head of the table.

“Alright ladies, Melanie, we need the complete story. Please start with the day of your wedding.”

I take a steadying breath, knowing everything depends on what I say next.

Chapter 29

Melanie

The next two hours pass in a blur as I recount my story, from the moment the box was delivered by Mr. Daggers to sitting here in Law's conference room. My voice trembles slightly as I detail Michael's threats, showing them the fabricated newspapers and explaining about the phone and tablet. When I describe the men at my mom and aunt's house, Evelyn reaches over and squeezes my hand. I push through, explaining how I'd sold my car and destroyed the trackers, learning to survive based on an eleven-year-old's wisdom and five minutes of crime TV.

Law and Farris exchange glances, their expressions so stoic they should play professional poker. Though their neutral faces make me nervous, Law's presence is reassuring and there's something about his contained power that makes me feel safer than I have in weeks.

“I vaguely remember Michael from high school, but not enough to say I could pick him out of a group of guys. Tell usabout him, his work, hobbies, personal details,” Law says, his deep voice measured and calm. “Mrs. Whitaker, what do you know of him?”

Evelyn straightens in her chair, her normally warm features hardening as she recounts Michael's history with their family. Then she tells of his father's cruelty after his mother abandoned him, how Cameron always defended and protected him, his love for martial arts specifically karate, and finally, the way he leered at women when he thought no one was watching.

“Sounds like an ass,” Law states flatly. His matter-of-fact assessment draws a wan smile from Evelyn and an enthusiastic agreement from me. “Melanie, could you go over exactly what he said about the warehouse?”

“I wrote everything down,” I say, pulling out my carefully documented transcripts. “I made notes after each conversation while it was fresh in my memory.” I hand them over to Farris, who gives them to Law.

“Smart girl. If more people would write things down, our jobs would be a lot easier, wouldn't it, Farris?” Law's deep laugh rumbles through the room.

“It sure would,” Farris agrees with a grim smile.

“You should know Michael is a computer genius. In college, professors sang his praises. He's always been handy with electronics, but he now considers himself a hacker with supreme computer security.” I explain again how Michael said all the Whitaker phones were bugged and how he ended my call with Cameron.

“I'm not a computer genius like Michael, but I'm not a newbie either. I learned a lot through journalism, but I've searched everywhere online and found nothing concrete, just whispers and rumors about Michael.” I finish helplessly. “He's too good with computers. The only thing I could find that might have a connection to him is this Emperor Maikeru.” I pull out thepaperwork I've amassed on him and hand it to Farris. “But no one knows exactly who he is, just that he's someone not to be messed with. I've seen references to him being an Emperor of Hell.” I shiver, running my hands up and down my arms.

“You're safe here, Melanie,” Law locks eyes with me. “You're with us now. I promise you're safe.” I fight the urge to cry again. There's something in his expression that makes me feel like I finally have people on my side and that for the first time in a long time, I really am safe. Law pulls out his phone, dialing quickly. “Mouse, Law. I need you and Keyboard now. Level nine. Fine, what are your terms?”

Farris slides him a notepad and pen. Law starts writing, occasionally nodding, twice rolling his eyes, which brings a chuckle from Farris. “Anything else? Deal. Twenty minutes. Sebastian and Maxwell will get you.”

He hangs up and hands the list to Farris, whose eyebrows shoot up. “Really? Four boxes of variety chips? Six cases of zero sugar Red Mountain Dew, a case of root beer and ten bags of berry Nerd clusters, two cheeseburgers with no onions, fries, onion rings, and two chocolate malts.” He shakes his head. “Good thing they're worth it. I'll have Emily get started on the stuff. We can order the hot food when they arrive.” Farris stands with the list and leaves the room.

Law's back on his phone. “Hey, yeah, I just put in the order for Mouse and Keyboard. Twenty minutes, then back here A.S.A.P. No, Farris is handling their list. Take Maxwell. He needs more contact time with them. Conference room. Thanks.”

“Law,” Evelyn interjects, clearly puzzled, “what exactly are Mouse and Keyboard, and what is a level nine?”

“Mouse and Keyboard are the personas of extremely gifted computer specialists who have certain talents for backtracking and discovering information the owner believes is hidden. The harder the challenge, the better they do. Also, they have personalstakes in a situation like this,” Law explains in an odd diplomatic way.

“Are you speaking English?” Evelyn cocks her head to one side. “I don't think I understood anything you said other than Mouse and Keyboard.”

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