Page 178 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
“There’s a dashcam video that will corroborate Ms. Brahn’s statement.”
This remark didn’t come from the DA. It came from Ryan, who is seated behind him. When the DA glares at him, warning him to keep his mouth shut, Ryan smirks at him without the slightest bit of fear crossing his face. He’s either extraordinarily cocky or an idiot. I hope it’s the former.
My heart beats out a funky tune when the judge asks Ryan, “Do you have this so-called evidence on hand?”
When Ryan nods, my eyes rocket to the camera mounted on the ceiling. I didn’t mention the brutality of my arrest yesterday because I didn’t want Isaac to know. He’s juggling too many things right now, so the last thing I want to do is add another matter into the mix.
As my ragged grunt from being thrown to the ground echoes off the white walls of the chamber, I mouth, “I love you,” to the surveillance camera, praying three little words will pacify Isaac’s anger enough he won’t become the criminal his FBI file makes him out to be.
CHAPTER7
ISAAC
My stomach heaves when anoomphbroadcasts through the monitor I’m watching Isabelle’s arraignment on. Regan was adamant I wasn’t allowed in the courtroom today. Our argument lasted well into the wee hours of this morning, only ending when Regan said Isabelle could face twenty years in jail if I didn’t step back. By having an association with me, Regan believes it will make the jury think Isabelle aided in Megan’s death because of her obsession with my brother.
“Evidence is all the jurors will see. They won’t see Isabelle as you do, Isaac. They’ll look at her through the tainted glasses the DA places on their noses,” Regan argued this morning. “Our job is to ensure their glasses are so clear, they’ll see through the murky evidence.”
My attention reverts to my computer monitor when a pained groan rolls through its speakers. Although I’ve only heard it in ecstasy, I recognize that groan. It belongs to Isabelle. When a second grunt booms into my ears, I stand from my chair with my fists clenched at my sides and my jaw tight. I can’t see the video Ryan is playing for the judge, but I can hear every cruel blow Isabelle is hit with.
As I suck in big breaths attempting to douse the fire raging through my veins, I return Isabelle’s stare. Her beautiful tear-filled eyes are staring up at the surveillance camera Hunter hacked into, aware they are my eternal weakness. Although they somewhat ease my fury, they’re not sufficient enough to stop me from pegging my Mac notebook to the other side of the room. It shatters through my glass bar before landing on the floor with a soundless thud.
Top-shelf whiskey filters through my nostrils when I snap my eyes to the ceiling, so I can’t see the sympathetic looks Hunter and Hugo are giving me. I’m usually more controlled than this. Exercising discipline in demanding situations is all I know. I handle multi-million-dollar negotiations without breaking into a sweat and have fought fighters twice my size without batting an eyelid, but this is different. This type of rage is uncontrollable because it’s all bearing down on my shoulders.
I noticed the bruise on Isabelle’s face yesterday, but in the haste of our gathering, I didn’t stop to consider how she obtained it. I should have been more vigilant—warier. When I pledged to protect her months ago, that vow wasn’t just for Col. It was for anyone stupid enough to wish her harm. I’m off my game, but this is inexcusable, and I refuse to let those in the wrong get off lightly.
“I want the dashcam video of Isabelle’s arrest.”
Hunter’s eyes widen, but he keeps his concerns to himself. “Consider it done.”
As he pulls his laptop out of a hemp bag dumped on the floor, my attention shifts to the computer screen in just enough time to witness the judge slamming his gavel down. Regan and the DA’s squabbling has become too much for him to bear. Wrinkles cover a majority of his face, but not even they can’t hide his desperation to have this hearing over. Typically, arraignments last a few minutes at the most. Isabelle’s is cutting it close to forty. I see it being the same with her actual trial.
Regan said convictions for murder in the absence of a body are possible, but the cases are harder to prove. Generally, the prosecution solely relies on the evidence they have on hand. In most cases, that’s classed as circumstantial evidence. Regrettably, Isabelle’s situation is unique. They have damning forensic evidence against her that significantly increases her odds of being convicted of murder without a body.
Although our focus, for the time being, is getting Isabelle out on bail, once that occurs, Regan and Ryan’s focus will shift to having the forensic evidence expunged from the case. If that fails, I’ll make Isabelle disappear just as quickly as I did Hugo. Not even an hour-long stay in the break room of the men hunting him had his cover blown.
The conceited grin tugging my lips high slackens when the judge’s big burly tone bellows out of the computer speakers. “I’ve heard enough.” My lungs take stock of my oxygen levels when he locks his eyes with Isabelle. Even through a monitor, I can see remorse glimmering in his worldly eyes. “After watching the dashcam evidence, I strongly recommend you have the officers who arrested you charged.” Isabelle nods, her attention shifted back to the front of the chambers. “But, with that said, the evidence against you, Ms. Brahn, is incriminating.”
My heart ceases beating. If he remands Isabelle into custody, my anger won’t be dispersed by throwing a laptop across the room. I won’t even be able to pound it away on the bag in my warehouse. I truly don’t trust what my motives will be if she’s jailed until her trial. It’s killing me not being able to hold her now. I won’t last months.
The judge takes a few more seconds to deliberate before banging his gavel onto his podium. “Bail is set at three million dollars.”
My sigh is so loud, I’m certain every resident in Ravenshoe heard it.
With my mind switching into game-mode, I swing my eyes to Hugo.
“On it.” He jumps up from the seat to grab the suitcase full of money sitting on the safe in the corner of my office. He makes it halfway out the door before swiveling back around to face me. “Where am I taking her once she’s out on bail?”
I stare at him, my mind blank. With us needing to pretend we don’t know each other, she can’t go back to my house. He also can’t take her to her apartment as Brandon proved its security isn’t as impressive as my security team made it out to be, so that only leaves…
Before the idea ruminates in my head, Hunter throws his keys to Hugo. “Take her to my place. I’ll text you the address.”
Smiling, Hugo jerks up his chin in thanks before hot-footing it out of my office. As far as the IRS is concerned, Hunter works for a telemarketing company in New Delhi. He’s never met Isaac Holt, much less worked for him. He’s never openly admitted it, but I’m reasonably sure they also believe he only earns a basic minimum wage, which only we know isn’t true.
“The back door has been flung wide open.” The unease in Hunter’s usually thick timbre sets my nerves on edge—like they could get any worse. “Are you sure you want to watch this?” He raises his eyes to mine. They’re full of apprehension.
After shoving my hands into my pockets to conceal their shakes, I lift my chin. His throat works hard to swallow before he swivels his laptop around to face me. My heart drums against my ribcage when he presses play on the dashcam video. Hearing Isabelle’s winded grunt for the second time doesn’t lessen their impact. If anything, the visual makes it ten times worse.
The only benefit that comes from witnessing her attack is realizing my judgment of Brandon was wrong. Even outnumbered, he defended Isabelle to the best of his abilities. He knocked one officer off Isabelle with a hard fist to his nose before grabbing another in a headlock. When a third officer placed a gun to his temple, he elbowed him in the nose before diving for a fourth officer. It took three officers holding him down and another threatening to Taser him before he gave up on his campaign, and even then, his annoyance can’t be missed. He’s as pissed as I am now.
