Page 100 of Shattered

“When Henry Worthington told me there was a block, onlyhehad the ability to release. He also stated I would help him build a unit of super soldiers once he, ‘unlocked’ me.”

“What did he mean by that?” Charles questioned.

“Isn’t it obvious?” she quipped. “He knows I am like my father, but more like my biological mother, he wanted to breed me—rape me—to produce the perfect shifter with abilities.”

“No further questions, Your Honor,” Charles stated. “Thank you, Hayden.”

Mr. Walker stood then. It took every ounce of strength Mackenzie had to not clobber the man. He buttoned his jacket as he stepped to the podium. The smarmy look on his face only adding to the expensive suits he wore. Hayden rolled her eyes.

“Mrs. Lopez, why were you the one to investigate or better yet go undercover into this auction the night of the wildlife refuge raid?”

“Nico and I were unknowns. We’d been in Colorado for four years while I finished school. It was easy to put us in.”

“You had no official title, though,” Mr. Walker said.

“I did,” she answered. “I was hired as a forensics officer.”

“By your uncle?”

“No, by the county. I applied the last time I returned home during spring break of my senior year,” she said. “My cousin, Deputy Royce Raferty was there for backup along with Deputy Lopez and Agent Benefield.”

“After you were kidnapped by Mr. Worthington, you went back to the scene to investigate, don’t you find that suspicious?”

Nico snarled and muttered under his breath. Hayden did everything right and by the book. She’d never risk anything, investigation-wise, because she’d been part of the kidnapping and the illegal transportation of people. It wasn’t her way. She prided herself on going by the law. Hell, she prided herself on doing good work and saving lives. Mackenzie frowned as Mr. Walker stared at Hayden waiting for her to answer. The anticipation in his eyes, the look of being ready to pounce, made Mackenzie’s stomach twist.

“No. I didn’t even know about Holly until after I returned to Window Rock. I don’t think any of us did. As far as I am concerned, Henry Worthington is nothing. His death is a blessing to the shifter community, especially after finding Emmitt within the wildlife sanctuary.” Hayden stared the man down, the glaring dare in her eyes, begged Mr. Walker to come at her.

“It’s a conflict of interest,” Mr. Walker said then turned his attention to the judge. “Your Honor, we request that all charges be dropped against Holly Geithner, because of an improper investigation and a vindictive forensics officer going beyond the scope of her duties.”

The judge sighed. “This is the third time, Mr. Walker, you’ve tried to dismiss the case.”

“Because of the egregious way this investigation was slapped together.”

“Overruled. Do you have any more questions for Mrs. Raferty-Lopez?”

Mr. Walker’s face turned a deep shade of red as he stood there staring at the judge. His hands were clenched at his side, and his body was tense. Mackenzie would’ve laugh if he wasn’t afraid the lawyer would launch himself at Hayden. “No, Your Honor.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Lopez, you are free to go.”

Hayden rejoined them in the front row, then it was Emmitt’s turn to testify. Mackenzie hated the fact the guy had to be on the stand. After everything he’d experienced for the last nineteen years, he deserved to be left alone, especially after finding out the dead pups were his. Twice now in the man’s life, he’d lost his children, even though he’d been slowly building a relationship with Aidan.

“Emmitt, do you remember when you arrived at the Wildlife Refuge?” Mr. Walker asked.

“Not really,” Emmitt answered, his voice still had a bit of a growl to it due to the length of time he spent in his wolf form. “All the days in the beginning after I was shot, rolled together.”

“What do you remember?”

Emmitt frowned. “Pain. All the time.”

“Do you remember who brought you there or who was there to do these so-called tests on you?”

Emmitt shook his head. “I never saw his face. He always wore a mask and a surgery hat. His body was always covered, but he had an evil gleam in his eyes when he’d come to my enclosure.”

“So, you don’t know how long you were there, or how you got there. You don’t know who experimented on you, if that’s what really happened, correct?”

“Objection, Your Honor,” Charles snapped. “Mr. Walker is badgering the witness.”

“Sustained.” Judge Wright pointed his gavel at Mr. Walker. “You’re testing my patience.”

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