Page 170 of Possession

“We do,” he bites. “Where are June and Miranda? When I learned Ed and Dennis were on their way with their soldiers, I knew the scene at the house was going to be bad, so I sent them away. I was arrested and have no idea where they are or if they tried to come back. They’ve done nothing wrong. They don’t need to be mixed up in any of this. If you have any kind of power, convince them that those two women are innocent.”

“That’s what I want to talk to you about. June and Miranda were taken into custody yesterday for their own protection. In exchange for their statements that will be used against the Marinos in court, they’ve both been offered full citizenship.”

Spencer’s eyes flare. “That’s not what I thought you were going to say.”

I lift a shoulder. If that surprises him, then the contents of the folder sitting between us will blow his mind. “They were also offered contracts to become confidential informants. That contract is for them more than us. If they tell us what they saw over the last few years, they will receive a percentage of the cash confiscated from the property.”

He only stares at me.

I hold up a hand. “Granted, that percentage is small. However, you and I both have a good idea how much cash is stuffed away in that house. Even a small percentage is a decent amount. It will be enough for each of them to start a life as U.S. citizens. They can get a job—a real job. Not one they’re coerced into working for practically nothing because the cartel has them by the balls. Or lady balls—we both know June has them.”

Spencer nods. “Did they take the offer?”

I hold his stare. “Miranda was scared, but we never separated them. June talked her into it. They both signed.”

Spencer exhales a tense breath.

“Also, Miranda will receive victim’s assistance for what she’s been through. Counseling … therapy. Whatever she needs.”

I watch the man sitting across from me. His expression shifts into something I saw in the garage the night I killed Nic when he insisted on cleaning up the mess. I’ve always liked Spencer, but that was the night we bonded.

“I have three daughters,” he says. “My oldest is almost Miranda’s age. I worked for the Marinos for years, but watching what she went through and knowing I could do nothing about it if I wanted to live to see the next day was the worst.”

When I think about what almost happened to Landyn, my insides churn. “I had no idea until you told me. It was bad enough knowing it almost happened to Landyn.”

“If I make it out of this, Miranda is welcome in my home. It’s modest, but it’s safe and loving. June, too, though I doubt she’d come.”

As if on cue, I push the contract sitting in front of me across the table. “This is for you.”

He hikes a brow and looks at the file that’s now sitting in front of him.

“Go on,” I urge. “Open it. I don’t think you’ll hate it.”

He doesn’t waste another second and flips it open. He starts to scan the document, flipping the pages, one by one.

“Read that word for word,” I say. He stops and looks at me. “But I’d be happy to summarize it for you since I was the one who outlined it.”

He lifts his chin.

I lean my forearms on the table between us. “Like June and Miranda, in exchange for your cooperation and information about the Marino Cartel, you will also receive full citizenship. We included your wife since your kids were born here. But unlike June and Miranda, you will not receive a small percentage.”

He nods slowly as that sinks in. His eyes wander back to the file as he starts to flip pages again.

Page after page after page.

I wait until he gets to the last one. He freezes.

“As you can see, your percentage isn’t small. In addition, we’re offering you a lump sum.”

He stares at the paper. “Is this real?”

“Very,” I affirm. “What it’s not is common. But this is not a common case. From my investigation, you’ve worked for the Marinos for decades. Your knowledge is priceless. The government does not come across informants like you often. I’ll never meet another one in my career. We need you.”

His gaze shoots to me.

I lean forward and lower my voice, not so the cameras or anyone in the next room can’t hear us, but to get my point across. “You’re a good man, Spencer. I vouched for you. No matter what you did or were forced to do when you worked for the Marinos, if you sign this offer, you’re safe. You’re protected.” His stare zips to me and unspoken words dance invisibly between us. Those words scream Nic Decker. “No one will ask you to incriminate yourself.”

He holds my gaze and nods before turning back to the file. I lean back in my chair and let him read.

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