Page 66 of Resolutions

Maybe there's hope. Just maybe.

“Proof of any murders?” Sebastian asks quietly.

“Multiple.” Her fingers fly across the keyboard. “According to his records, there have been twenty-seven confirmed deaths in the last five years.”

“Five years?” a visibly shocked Evelyn asks.

“Yes, but those are just the deaths. He's been operating this site for longer. We're not sure of the exact length because we would have to spend some time in Michael's personal records, and Boss man just wanted us in and out. But if I were to guess, I would say he's been running this for either eight or nine.”

“Years?” Evelyn and I speak together. Keyboard nods her head.

The number hits me like a physical blow. Twenty-seven women. Twenty-seven families wondering what happened to their loved ones and having no idea, no closure. And those are just the ones Michael bothered to record.

“And I would have been one of them,” I whisper. The room goes silent as the full implications sink in. If I hadn't run, ifI hadn't trusted my instincts about Michael... Evelyn takes my hand in hers.

“But you weren't and you're not going to be. Nor will anyone else,” she says as everyone in the room nods their agreement.

Law enters the room, even more commanding than before he left. “We have a federal warrant for the arrest of Michael Thorne. Farris, you, and Maxwell be at the judge's chambers at seven-thirty to pick it up.”

Both guys give a single nod to show they understand.

“The fog's lifted. The pilots will be here at nine,” I read aloud when my phone pings with a text.

“Then that's our go time,” Law tells the group. “Be prepared to be gone for at least two days, probably three. I'll let my mom know we're on our way.”

“I love Miss Cora,” the quiet Maxwell speaks up. It's easy to see Farris and Sebastian feel the same.

“She's a dear friend of mine,” Evelyn smiles.

While everyone else seems to be smiling, for me the air is heavy with purpose. This is really happening. We're going after Michael, not just the monster I fled from, but a creature far more terrible than I'd imagined. A man who orchestrated unthinkable horrors while playing the role of charming friend and successful businessman.

I think of all his victims, the ones whose names we know and the ones we'll never identify. I think of the teacher's sister, still hoping for answers. I think of my mom and aunt, whom Michael used as leverage to force my compliance. His smirking face appears in my mind, and my resolve hardens into steel.

“Time to end this,” I say quietly to myself.

Looking around the room at Law's team. From Mouse and Keyboard's righteous anger, to Sebastian and Maxwell's determination, and Farris's protective stance. I feel something I haven't experienced since this nightmare began: hope. Withthese people at my back, maybe, just maybe, we really can bring Michael to justice.

Chapter 33

Tobias

“Sheriff?” Deputy Roberts appears in my doorway. “A man named Law is here to see you.”

“Send him in.” I stand to greet my old friend.

Law, wearing jeans and a bright blue t-shirt under a black blazer, enters with the same commanding presence he's always had, but I can see the tension in his face, telling me I better be prepared for anything. And judging by the size of the manila folder in his hand, it's going to be something big that I’m probably not going to like.

“Tobias.” His deep voice fills my office as he enters. No handshake, no small talk. Okay, so this isn't a social call.

“Law,” I gesture to a chair. “You sounded urgent on the phone.”

“It is,” he motions with his head, then steps back into the hall, meaning for me to follow him.

“What the hell?” I say as I walk around my desk. “This is some kind of joke?”

Law puts his finger to his lips and shakes his head no. Once I'm in the brightly lit sterile hall, he reaches past me and closes my door.

“This is important.” he scans the hall. “Have you got somewhere private we can talk? Somewhere other than the boardroom or your office.”

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