Page 95 of In the Line of Ire

"Yes.There is some bad news though. We caught Larry breaking your thingsin the house and he did a lot of damage. Whatever is notsalvageable he promised to replace, and to pay for all the damagehe did too. Solomon is going to bail him out from the policestation tomorrow and take him to the bank to collect the money heneeds to pay you."

"I don'tbelieve it. Is that true?" Natalie asked, turning toSolomon.

"Onehundred percent," said Solomon.

"We'returning our case file over to the police tomorrow. You can decideif you want to go ahead and press charges," I said as Solomon and Istood up. After delivering our news, I figured Natalie needed sometime to digest it all. At least now, she could start planning abrighter, creep-free future.

"Thank you so much," she said, shaking our hands in turn. Hugodid the same and suddenly, they were both smiling and laughing. "Ican't thank you enough for fixing this for me. Forus," sheadded.

"I'mjust glad it wasn't anything too sinister," I said, happilyrelieved that the news I told her wasn't worse.

"I'llshow you out," said Hugo. "I think Natalie needs a moment to absorball of this." We entered the rear doors of his house and reachedthe front door when he stopped, turned, and asked, "It reallyhappened as you say, did it? It's all over?"

"Yes," Isaid simply.

"I mean,there wasn't anything you avoided telling Natalie? Not to scareher, I mean. The landlord... he's really just an inept jerk andwasn’t spying on Natalie and the girls?"

"So faras we can tell," I said. "The police will launch a more thoroughinvestigation but I think they'll probably confirm what we found.If it were anything creepier than that, I would have told Natalieif only for her safety."

Tensioneased from Hugo's face. "I can't tell you how relieved I am to hearthat."

We saidour goodbyes and Hugo shut the door behind us. "How's your head?"asked Solomon as we crossed to the car.

"Itaches but I'm okay. I just hope Delgado and Lucas foundsomething."

"We'llknow very soon," said Solomon. "Let's go down to theagency.

~

"It'snot great," said Lucas. The four of us were crowded around hisdesk, looking at the large monitors where my photos and video werebeing displayed.

"I can'teven make out who that is," said Delgado, pointing to thescreen.

"That'sCharlaine," I said.

"Herback is to the camera," pointed out Delgado.

"I knowthat, but I couldn't ask her to turn around. I am positive it'sher."

"Butwould a jury be so sure?" asked Solomon. "I wonder."

We alllooked up as the door opened and one of Solomon's men let in Maddoxand Sadiq. Solomon waved them over and they both stood behind us.Maddox gave my shoulder a small, reassuring squeeze.

"Heardsomeone tried to take you out," said Sadiq. "And I don't mean to afancy restaurant or a gala event."

"Stillalive and kicking," I said and he high-fived me.

"Whathave you got here?" asked Maddox.

"Thefootage I took with my cellphone before I was hit. Lucas says it'snot good enough for any identifications," I explained.

"That'sthe woman from the exchange," said Maddox. "Who's shewith?"

"Wedon't know."

"I gothalf the license plate. Their legs concealed the other half. It'skicked back hundreds of possible vehicles. I can't tell the make,the model or even the color in the dark," said Lucas.

"It wasblack," I said.

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