Page 14 of Scar Tissue

“Nathan, thank you for coming.” Agent Dyer steps forward and shakes my hand, as does Agent Carr, which I return.

“What can I do for you?” My eyes drift back to the girl who has taken a seat in one of the chairs, and is looking down.

“We need you to take a look at something for us, and we need you to hear what she has to say.” Agent Dyer flicks his gaze to the girl.

I glance between them, caught out of my element. “As I’m sure you know, victim interviews aren’t something I’m trained for and I’m sure you’ve already done one?

“We have. But, Nathan, this involves you.” Their words throw me off, because I’ve never met this girl in my life. There isn’t a single ounce of recognition as I study her.

“What do you mean?”

“They mean there was a cover up that involved you,” the girl says, now standing from the table, her hands in fists as she exhales shakily, like it took every ounce of her strength to talk.

My blood runs cold and the agents must see it because Carr puts a hand on my shoulder, directing me to sit next to the girl. “You aren’t in trouble here, Nathan. Just listen.”

My mind is whirring, spinning, as it tries to think of what could possibly be going on. But before I have a chance to go off the deep end, the projector comes to life displaying multiple different files. “What am I looking at?” They click on one of the files labeledCaseReview 07B.Multiple images of a vehicle accident pop up on the screen and it takes me a moment to realize what I’m seeing. My eyes widen as soon as recognition sparks—this is the accident I was involved in with Miles. The night he died. Closing my eyes, I try to block out the memories as they resurface—the sounds of impact, Miles’ scream as it was cut off before the silence. But when I open them, the images are still there, along with a letter.

Mr. West,

You’ll find that I have taken every step to ensure that your little…incident has been handled. You will no longer be found at fault as the investigation was swayed in a manner that aligns with the narrative we agreed on. There will be no evidence linking to your indulgence that night and the circumstances surrounding the accident are being perceived as a horrible accident. You do not need to worry yourself with any further action, as I’ve ensured that any remaining inquiries will be redirected and dismissed without causing you undue attention. It would be a shame, after all, for any future business we may conduct together, and I do so look forward to partnering with you in these endeavors.

Best,

H.C.

“What the fuck is this?” I snap, demanding answers, and the girl flinches next to me. Guilt floods through me at my reaction and I soften my features, repeating, “What am I looking at?”

Carr sighs. “It would appear that Claire was able to steal a USB when she escaped that contains sensitive information relating to multiple covered up crimes, including the one you and your friend were involved in. There are also other files detailing trafficking operations and enterprises. However, the concern isn’t exactly the content of these files, it’s the matter of who is leading these operations.”

I blink, trying to process the weight of her words. “Who?”

Carr doesn’t answer me right away. Instead, she looks at Claire whose eyes are wide and filled with a mix of fear and determination. Who did she steal from?

“Harrison Clark.” Her voice is so quiet when she answers, but the name doesn’t ring a bell.

Dyer drinks from his coffee cup before directing his focus on me. “You might not recognize his name because he was only appointed to the position in the last several years. Before that he was on the town council. Not that you’ve been back there in years, but he’s the mayor in Baltimore.”

That explains it. The worry. The fear. He’s a man with enough power to control whatever he wants. To hide things from the public eye.

“So we’re talking about another individual, who is even more powerful thanThe Wraith?” I swallow hard, because I didn’t think that was possible. Dylan’s uncle ran most of the east coast operations, so what does Harrison Clark have to do with them?

“You can considerThe Wraithas his puppet master. Orwas, I should say. Now, Mr. Clark has been laying low the last six months since you and Fletcher took him down. But now that you did, we think he’s looking to take over the whole thing while hiding behind his position as mayor. Publicly, he’s a face of order, the protector of his people. But privately? He?—”

“He’s a fucking monster.” Claire interrupts Dyer, her expression filled with hate.

Carr nods. “Yes. But thanks to you, Claire, we might have a chance to bring him and his entire empire down. We invited you, Nathan, because you deserved to know the truth, but also because we need your help. It’s a massive risk, one that we won’t make you get involved in if you don’t want to. Because if he finds out, which he will since Claire took the USB, he is going to do everything to hunt her down and bury those who have this information. Even thosewho are connected to you, despite whether or not they know anything. He will use any kind of leverage.”

My gaze darts between them before settling on Claire. She’s so young, and behind the fear and hate, is a spark of hope. One that I can’t bring myself to crush, even if I wanted to. Even though everything inside of me says not to, if only for the sake of being there for Thea at a vulnerable point in her life. If only to protect her in case she gets involved inadvertently. But I couldn’t protect Miles, and this son of a bitch is responsible. “What’s our next move?” I ask, my pulse racing, adrenaline starting to kick in.

Dyer takes a deep breath, an unreadable expression passing over his face. “We’re still working on that…There is a lot of information in the USB and we need to keep it protected. We need to keep her protected. Once we are able to gain some leverage or some breathing room, we can make a decision. But we need to ask you something else, Nathan.”

I’m not sure I like where this is going. “What is it?”

“Claire has no living family members, at least none that we can safely place her with. And at the moment, the system is overloaded with kids needing temporary placement. Would you or Fletcher be willing to take her in, or do you know of someone she can stay with in the meantime?” Carr looks at me with a pleading look.

My voice is tight when I respond. “How is this a better alternative for her? If we’re going to be as deep into this as you say, you really want us to bring her into that? Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen. She is going to end up in harm’s way if they figure out it’s us involved.”

“Stop talking about me as if I’m not here!” Claire snaps and stomps over to where we’re talking. “I should be able to have a say in this just as much as all of you.”