Page 88 of Rules

She shook her head immediately. "No, Tobias. I can't accept that. I didn't do anything special."

"You found Melanie, didn't you?" I asked.

"Well, yes."

"Then you qualify for the money. Don't think of it as Michael's money. Think of it as money paid to help the family he tried to destroy. There's justice in that."

Evelyn was quiet for a long moment, considering. "It should go to Melanie." She looked at Charlie who just shrugged his shoulders.

"Whatever you want. Set up a foundation. Help other families affected by trafficking. Put it toward your grandchildren's education." I said "It's yours, free and clear. He paid it and he put on the account contact that the money was non-returnable."

"Why would he do that?" Charlie asked.

"My guess is he didn't think anyone would come forward. That it was an investment in his safety. If someone had received it he would have known we were closing in on him."

All of us sat quiet for a moment.

"How much was it?" Evelyn broke the silence. "Three hundred thousand?"

"Well, we thought so but the bank president said when Michael opened the account he put five hundred thousand in the account." Evelyn and Charlie sucked in air. "I know, that's a lot of money."

"Goodness, yes." Evelyn looked at Charlie. "I don't think I can make a decision until I talk with Melanie."

"I agree, I think that's fair." He agreed.

"Of course. The paperwork is all there. Take your time." I shifted in my chair. "When you talk to Melanie, oculd you pleaseask Cameron something for me? I'm curious if he can identify a woman we believe was tied to Michael."

"What woman?" Charlie asked.

"We found a young woman's body. Asian, mid-twenties. We think she might have been connected to Michael. If I sent you a photo, do you think you could get it to Cameron? Maybe he saw her with Michael at some point."

Evelyn's expression tightened. "Send it over, we'll ask when he and Melanie check in. I'll let you know what he says."

"I should warn you that the picture is a bit disturbing."

"Send it to me, I'm sure I've seen worse." Charlie insisted. I sent it, examining the picture Charlie said, "She's pretty, I don't ever remember Michael having her around."

"Me either. We'll for sure ask Cameron."

Back in my cruiser, I called Brooklyn to check on Law's interrogation of Mickey. Her frustration was evident even through the phone.

"Nothing useful, boss. Mickey's either truly ignorant or exceptionally loyal. Law tried everything short of actual torture. Which, had I not been there, I think he would have considered. Law was... intense, but professional. Mickey just isn't talking."

I hung up, a mixture of relief and disappointment settling in my chest. Another dead end, we'd accomplished practically nothing. We were no closer to finding Michael, stopping the break-ins.

As I pulled away from the Whitakers', the first heavy raindrops began to fall. By the time I reached the station, it was pouring. The kind of driving rain that reduced visibility to mere feet and drowned out all other sounds.

The squad room was oddly quiet when I entered, shaking water from my jacket. Most of the deputies were still out following up on leads or patrolling the business district. Igrabbed a coffee and made my way to my office, nodding to Holly as I passed.

"How'd it go with Evelyn?" she asked.

"She's thinking about whether she wants Michael's money."

"Understandable. Oh, Law called. Said to tell you Mickey gave them nothing, but they're following up on something else. Wouldn't say what."

I felt a flash of irritation. "Of course he wouldn't."

Holly gave me a searching look. "What's going on with you two?"

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