Page 64 of Torgash

"And yet you're willing to give all that to me."

"Consider it a gesture of good faith. A down payment on our working relationship in the future."

"Three months," I repeat, forcing my voice level. "And then you deliver what you promised."

"Of course. But there's another element we need to discuss." His tone sharpens. "The MC. Your... relationship with their leadership has been quite convenient."

"What about it?"

"I need you to maintain that connection. Keep playing the part. Let them think you're still fighting for these families, still building cases against me." He chuckles. "Unless, of course,you've fallen for their Vice President and can't bear to deceive him?"

"I can handle the VP."

"Can you? Because from where I sit, you two looked quite cozy at that town meeting. Some might say you've gotten... attached."

"You're seeing what I wanted you to see." The words scrape out of my throat like glass. "He's useful. Access to their intelligence, their resources. Nothing more."

My stomach turns saying it. Each word a betrayal of what Ash and I shared. But Royce needs to believe I'm just another corrupt cop he can control.

"Ah. So the relationship is purely... professional?"

"It served its purpose." I force my voice flat. Dead. Like I'm reading from a police report.

"Good. Because I need you to keep him believing you're on their side. Keep building that trust. Can you do that?"

A pause. My free hand clenches until my nails bite into my palm. "Yes."

"Excellent. Three months to delay the legal proceedings, maintain your cover with the MC, and keep their leadership believing you're fighting for justice."

"And the corruption files?"

"All of it. Financial records, witness statements, and the whole network that protected Derek. You have my word."

"Your word." I force out a laugh. "How do I know you won't just disappear once you get what you want?"

"Three months," I repeat. My voice sounds hollow even to me. "You'll have your delays."

"Excellent. I'll be in touch soon to check on your progress. And Sheriff?" His voice turns cold. "Don't disappoint me. Derek Sullivan has been untouchable for six years because corruptofficials protected him. It would be a shame if that protection continued indefinitely."

The line goes dead. I hit stop recording and upload the file to my secure cloud drive, then copy it to a flash drive. It goes into my bag with the corruption files and all the materials I've compiled for the hearings.

I pull on my uniform like I have every morning for eight years. Badge over heart. Service weapon on hip. Hair back in regulation ponytail. In the mirror, I look like the sheriff Shadow Ridge hired to clean up their town.

I'm about to become what they brought me here to stop.

I exit through the front door, in full view of any surveillance. I let them see me leaving for work, business as usual. I scan the street as I walk to my cruiser, cataloging threats, looking for Ash's bike.

Knox's Honda is parked two blocks down, partially concealed behind a delivery van.

Relief hits me like a physical blow. It's not Ash watching me. I'm not sure I could go through with this if I had to look him in the eyes one more time.

I drive deliberately slow, taking the most visible route to the station, checking my mirrors at each turn. Knox stays three car lengths back, skilled enough in his surveillance that most people wouldn't notice. But I'm not most people. I've been trained to spot tails.

I stop at Greene's Diner like I do every morning. Helen pours my usual coffee without being asked, and I make the same small talk about the weather. I even complain about the Bauer family's paperwork taking forever, same as I have all week. My voice stays level, casual. Natural.

Helen hands me the to-go cup with a smile. "You take care now, Sheriff."

"Always do." The lie comes out smooth as silk.

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