Page 84 of Injustice and Absolution

I mean, IknowI am one, but am I the Big Bad Wolf in her fairy tale?

My phone vibrates across my desk before I get a chance to free-fall further down that rabbit hole. Unlocking it, I see another text message, this time from Cyber.

Opening it, I click on the link he sent, and a newspaper article from five years ago opens.

Case Closed in the Death of Nightclub Owner

The case of the 53-year-old Harrisburg man, who was found dead in the basement of a local night club earlier this month, has been closed.

Paul Miller, owner of Spotlight Gentlemen’s Club, sustained a broken neck and other injuries as a result of an apparent fall down the staircase that leads to the club’s basement storeroom.

I skim the rest of the article, looking for any detail that stands out.

Alone after the club closed.

Perfect example of an open-and-shut case.

No suspects. No enemies. No evidence of foul play.

If this case was so open-and-shut, why did it take the police a month to close it?

My eyes fall to the last few lines of the article.

“He was like the father I never had. One of the best people I’ve ever known.” A teary-eyed Drew Sullivan, Assistant Manager of Spotlight Gentleman’s Club, recounted fond memories of the deceased.

A man who is sure to be missed by all who knew him.

His words could hold some truth to them, but I can’t see Drew crying. Not for real.

The triumph and challenge in his evil stare from last night is seared into my memory.

I’m not the Big Bad Wolf. He is.

I’ve met his type before, too many times.

People like Drew don’t get sad.

They get even.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ROYCE

Draven made arrangements for us to meet up with his cousin at his apartment in the Allison Hill District of Harrisburg before we’re due at the warehouse. As grateful as I am that the Krymson Destroyers agreed to meet with us, I’m irritated it’s come to this.

I’m beyond annoyed that I don’t have control over this situation. Or my sudden raging emotions.

Not for the first time since the other night have I wished I would have forced her into my truck and back home with me. I’ve never shied away from going after what I want. Not in business, not within the club.

But I have every step of the way where she’s concerned.

I've never wanted someone this much. Never wanted someone at all. And it’s that fact that makes me question everything I thought I knew, even just yesterday.

What if I was wrong about what I saw the other night outside of Spotlight?

What if I saw what I wanted to see because I’ve always been a selfish asshole when it comes to her?

If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be fair to her. More than my need to possess Delilah, to satisfy my own cravings and to be content, I want her to be happy.

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