Page 49 of Wyatt
“Maybe you’re feeling guilty for drugging and raping victims,” said Ulani, standing next to the man.
“Wh-what are you talking about? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Haley? Get the hell over here. We’re,” he stopped, staring at the officer, then looking up to see the pilots.
“Go on. Please,” said Wyatt. “We’re what? We’re going to jail. We’re going to get our asses kicked. We’re going to die. Pick one. I’m happy to oblige.”
“Launch the game!” yelled someone from the crowd. Ulani grabbed the microphone from Joey and stood on the dais.
“There will be no launch. This booth is shut down.”
There were moans and groans as the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving the threesome to stare at the angriest faces they’d ever seen.
“I don’t even want to know how you thought you’d get away with this or how you honestly believed it was within your rights,” said Ulani. “Nothing you say will make a difference in court. You’re all going to jail, along with your teenage cohorts. Good thing you haven’t been working on a tan. You won’t be seeing sunlight for a very long time.”
“No! No, it was Joey’s idea!” yelled Haley.
“What? You bitch! You said you could get the guys to do whatever you wanted! You were enjoying every minute of this!”
“You’ll be charged with rape for that,” said Mateo, staring at the woman. She looked at him, shaking her head.
“No. You don’t understand. You were getting frisky.”
“I was drugged, you little bitch,” he murmured under his breath.
“Tell it to the judge,” frowned Ethan. “All this for a fucking game and a little money. Get a real job.”
“This is a real job,” said Sam, his hands now cuffed behind his back. “I don’t know who the hell you are, or what you make in a year, but I can guarantee it’s a fraction of what gamers make. I make millions competing, and what I make developing games would blow your socks off.”
“They won’t give you socks in prison,” said Abe calmly.
“Whatever, dude. You can’t stop this trend. Gaming is here to stay, and we’ll find new ways to make the games realistic. It won’t matter what you’ve done here.”
“It matters to these men,” said Ulani. “It matters to me, to my family. It matters to the military and to all first-responders. Did it ever occur to any of you, in your teeny, tiny little minds, that you could have approached these men and asked, nicely, for help?”
The three said nothing, just staring at one another. As the officers, not so gently, walked them out of the convention center, Abe, BJ, and the others grabbed all the equipment. Two hours later, an entire team of CID agents and police officers raided their apartment, confiscating thousands of dollars’ worth of computer equipment.
The charges were mounting against the gamers, but also against the girls involved in the incidents. Fortunately, the once embarrassed men stepped forward, telling their stories. A warning to all who thought they were safe.
Ulani and the others stood outside the courthouse speaking to the senior director of CID.
“You did great work in there, Dunvegan. All of you did. I’d like to offer you a promotion.”
Ulani stared at him, then back at Wyatt.
“Whatever you decide, babe, is okay with me,” he smiled. Inside his stomach was churning, praying she would say no. He’d resigned his commission earlier that morning, effectively retiring from the Navy. He was ready to go home.
“I appreciate the confidence, sir. CID has been an amazing experience for me, but I think it’s time I go home and work in the family business.”
“I was afraid you’d say that,” he laughed. “At least I know you’re on our side. I know we’ll see one another again soon.” He walked away, leaving them on the steps.
“What now?” asked Ethan, looking at his daughter.
“Now, we go home.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Once everything was settled, Wyatt was home permanently, and Ulani had time to prepare, another Belle Fleur wedding was in full swing. She’d specifically requested native Hawaiian flowers for her bouquet and in her hair. Foolishly, she believed they would have to be flown in. It wasn’t a surprise when Claudette and Mama Irene brought them to her from the greenhouse.
