Page 62 of Sizzling Nights

They finished their meal, and a pinging started, sounding like it was coming from Mitch. He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out Theresa's old phone.

He scrolled and stopped. Text messages were coming through. His face grew stone cold.

“Looks like you've hit a nerve with the crime family. They're texting and want to know what information you still have.”

Theresa quickly looked at her watch. “Oh, the last exposé released.”

Jace replied, “It’s good to know they’re reading it.”

Theresa glanced at Mitch. “But what are they saying?”

Marco squeezed her hand and listened as Mitch read the texts.

* You think you're so smart. We demand you give up what you have or your life is in peril.

* Meet me tomorrow to hand over the remaining documents you have.

* I mean it. We demand all documents in your possession or you won't know a moment's peace.

Marco pulled his phone up and checked the website that Theresa was posting the exposés on. He saw so many comments from a great many people, good comments, congratulating her on taking the steps to bring this all to light. Stories of people who had had experiences with certain folks here and there. And then they started coming in, sounding different.

“I just left an encrypted message for you in the private email that you posted. I have some information on some people I think are involved.”

That similar type of message... posted over and over and over again.

He turned to her and grinned.

“Well, you may have the cartel rattled, and part of that reason is people are coming forward. Your inbox is filling up according to these comments.”

She ran to the coffee table where she had placed their laptops, and she pulled hers open. Typing in the passwords, she started reading.

“Oh my gosh. These stories corroborate Keely's story. They corroborate some of the ledger accounts I have. Oh my God. We can actually bring them down. If these people are still willing to come forward, we can bring them down.”

Marco rushed over to the sofa and sat next to her as they started reading email after email. People who had names, dates, and similar stories of things that had happened to them. Family members who were mysteriously killed. Family members whose personalities changed one hundred percent after an encounter with this person or that person, and then after their death, finding accounts being used to launder money.

“Oh my God,” Theresa whispered. “This is... this is unbelievable.”

Marco bent and kissed her lips.

“You’re unbelievable. Look at what you’re doing. Look at the change you’re going to make. Look at the people who have been affected that you're helping get their story out. See, you don’t have to just write Keely’s story. You could have a different chapter about every one of these people, even if you change their names. You’ve got to write this book, Theresa.”

She smiled and looked into his eyes. He didn’t have to say anything more. He didn’t want to push her into it, but he knew she could make some big differences if she did, and he wanted her to be happy. He wanted her to realize her potential. Waiting tables was fine, and managing the restaurant was wonderful; she was doing a great job, but she had more to offer, and people to help. She could do that.

40

Theresa felt depleted after telling her story to the police. Marco was waiting outside for her, at least she hoped so. They'd asked to speak with him again as well. She may have to wait for him.

The officer, Tray Fielding, escorted her to the waiting area. Marco wasn't there and Theresa's knees began shaking.

"I'm sorry. Is there somewhere more private I can wait for Marco? I feel...exposed out here alone."

Tray's eyes locked on hers a moment, then he nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't think of that. You can wait in our break room."

"Thank you."

She followed Tray through the swinging half door that led them behind the counter and through an area with desks neatly lined up. "This is the bullpen."

She grinned. "Okay. That's interesting."

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