Page 87 of Injustice and Absolution

“I’m not following,” I admit, lost without the knowledge he obviously possesses.

“Unless it was a ghost that entered and exited through the rear door of the club that night, someone went in and edited it. The figure of the person was removed from the shot, but their shadow wasn’t. It was caught in the streetlight at the corner of the building and again in the light that glows above the rear service door. Police speculated that it was the age of the camera and that the dark movement they saw was some sort of feedback due to it being out-of-date technology.”

“Wouldn’t the camera have captured the rear door opening and closing, even with the culprit edited out of the feed?

“Yeah, but whoever fucked with it removed two chunks of time. One three-second bit, and another one that was two-seconds long. Just enough time for someone to slip in and out.”

“How can you tell?”

“It’s part of my hobby.” Hound smiles and winks.

This isn’t good news. It means whoever was responsible for the death of the previous owner has friends in low places. Or high ones, which is even worse in this case.

“If what you saw is correct—”

“It is. You can guarantee that,” Hound explains.

“Hound is ex-military,” Chainz chimes in. “He worked as a cyber security network operator while he was in the Marines. He knows his shit.”

Color me impressed. We need guys like him and Cyber in our club, desperately.

“Okay, so based on your observation, that means whoever the killer was either works for or has a connection to someone in city office.”

“Pretty much,” Hound agrees.

“Fuck,” I exhale.

“You’re thinking this Drew may have something to do with the previous owner’s death?” Tank enters the conversation.

“I don’t want to think it, but yeah. I do. The details I had even before learning about this footage were enough to make me suspicious of him.”

With my apprehension roused, I think of another scenario that seemed a little questionable where he was concerned.

“You think you can look into some other footage for me? It has to do with the girl I mentioned...” I ask Hound.

“I’m happy to help,” he shrugs, and I’m grateful for his eagerness.

It’s because of this I decide to give them more details about why we’re here in the first place.

“The girl I’m worried about, Delilah, she’s Drew’s girlfriend. She was attacked at her former place of business weeks ago. Drew allegedly scared the intruders away. I’d be interested in seeing footage from the surrounding cameras from that night. His presence seemed a little too convenient to me.”

“How so?” Chainz asks.

“A week prior to the attack, Delilah moved into a new apartment. She was very excited and proud to have a place of her own. But immediately following the attack, she moved in with Drew. And her landlord said someone matching Drew’s description came by and roughed him up in order to let her break her lease with no penalty.”

Chainz puckers his lips thoughtfully as though he’s thinking the same thing I am.

“I think Drew orchestrated the attack to make himself look like a hero in her eyes. But also, maybe to force her to leave her job and to move in with him. To keep her close and isolate her from those she loves. And from those who love her.”

With my admission, I get knowing and sympathetic glances from several of the Destroyers. They threaten to make me squirm, but instead, I choose to honor Delilah by taking pride in my feelings for her. My choice gives me the strength to maintain eye contact with these men.

“I’m sure you can agree, in this lifestyle we meet our fair share of unsavory people. And Delilah is as sweet as she is unassuming. It’s not so hard to believe someone would recognize that quality and choose to use it against her.”

I watch as several of the Destroyers’ heads bob in agreement. Anger rolls through me. Not just at Drew but at myself for not taking better care of Delilah. For not teaching her how to spot darkness in those who wish her harm.

“I’m also worried Spotlight is a front for a different business. Something darker that I don’t want Delilah anywhere near.”

The thought of her being in any more pain like what she had to endure growing up causes my chest to constrict. I rub my hand along my sternum. The pressure is almost too much to bear, as though an elephant suddenly materialized on top of me.

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