Page 62 of Resolutions

Evelyn reaches for my hand. “My God.”

“There's something else,” Mouse says hesitantly.

“We know from your paperwork; Mr. Daggers is one of Michael's key men. So, we followed the trail on him and learned,” Keyboard looks to Law, “From a string of text communications between Daggers and the Emperor, we learned about an upcoming shipment.”

“Human?” Law's voice carries deadly focus. When the ladies both nod yes, he asks, “When?”

“Three days.” The twins speak in unison.

“Also,” Keyboard continues, “The texts are explicitly clear that the emperor wants Melanie found. He knows you’re close because of what happened on New Year’s Eve. He said if he needs to take more women to draw you out, he will.”

“Isn’t that enough to know Michael is the Emperor?” I asked Law.

“No, we need more than that.” Law looked sad to admit it. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Dagger’s wouldn’t be a sound witness. Name or not, we have three days to shut him down,” Law states. “Ladies, keep digging. I want you here on site. Find anything and everything you can, document it. I want enough evidence to keep this prick in for three lifetimes. Sebastian, Maxwell, get printouts of the warehouse, woods, and road, then start studying. I'll coordinate with Tobias, the local sheriff. We’re going to move fast and quiet, but most importantly, we move…”

“Smart,” the team, including the ladies, finishes his sentence.

As the team disperses, Law turns to us. “Evelyn, any chance that plane of yours can fit the four of us, too?”

“Yes, of course,” Evelyn nods. “I'll call and let the pilots know.”

“Perfect,” Law says before standing. “Then there isn't a record of us coming commercially, since Michael's more than likely monitoring activity in and out of the area looking for Melanie.”

Both Evelyn and I snap our heads at him. “I never would have thought of that,” she says, going back to my phone.

Back in the apartment, Evelyn and I sit in stunned silence. Finally, she speaks. “We did it. Well, Mouse and Keyboard did it. Proof, honest-to-goodness proof.”

“It’s not enough.” I whisper. “And those poor women...”

Her conviction steadies me. “Leave that to Tobias and Law. You just focus on this being over. Michael will pay for everything he's done.”

I nod, praying she's right.

Chapter 31

Melanie

Law throws out, “Well, it could be a while. Where would you all like to eat?”

“Can we order in?” The words tumble out before I can stop them. “I just... I don't want to leave, in case...” I trail off, unable to articulate the mix of hope and dread churning in my stomach.

“I was going to suggest the same thing,” Evelyn says, reaching over to squeeze my hand.

Law stands and walks to a drawer, pulling out a thick folder of menus. At our raised eyebrows and smirks, he shrugs. “Ordering in is our favorite thing to do.”

“I would say it's just us, but those two ladies love their food,” Law chuckles.

Shocked, Evelyn comments, “Those two don't look like they eat enough to keep a bug alive.”

“You have no idea,” Law chuckles. “The first time they worked with us; they ordered enough for twenty people. I thought theywere expecting company. Turns out just them, and they ate every bite too. They say coding burns calories.”

We pick Chinese food, and the girls change their minds from cheeseburgers to order with us. I watch Evelyn's face while Law orders what seems like enough to feed a small army. While we wait, Law shares stories about other cases Mouse and Keyboard have cracked. Each tale reveals more about their unique dynamic. Their playful exterior masking razor-sharp minds and an iron-clad determination to hunt and bring down predators.

“You mean they're not related?” I'm now the one who's shocked. “Not at all?”

“Nope. Their families are best friends, so the girls have been together their whole lives. But no, they aren't related.”

“Well, call me shocked,” Evelyn shakes her head. “They could be twins.”

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