Page 65 of Dead Air
"Everyone deserves counsel when facing unfounded accusations." Claire's professional demeanor matched Wallace's bureaucratic armor. "Particularly when those accusations appear designed to obstruct justice rather than pursue it."
The chief's face flushed with barely contained anger. "Careful, Counselor. Interfering with a police investigation carries serious consequences."
"So does witness tampering and evidence suppression." Claire squared her shoulders. "Both of which I've documented extensively since arriving at this scene."
The standoff crackled with tension. Officers throughout the crime scene had abandoned any pretense of work, watching the confrontation unfold with professional interest.
Lawson unclipped her badge and removed her service weapon, presenting both to Captain Reynolds with precise movements that maintained her dignity despite the public humiliation.
"I expect a receipt for my property, Captain." Her voice remained steady through years of practice dealing with hostile situations.
Reynolds provided the required documentation without comment. His expression revealed nothing about his personal opinion regarding the chief's actions.
"Now, if there's nothing else," Claire gathered her belongings with deliberate movements, "my client will be leaving as instructed."
Wallace watched through narrowed eyes as they prepared to depart.
As they walked toward the elevator, Dylan fell into step beside them, laptop still clutched against his chest. The young man had recognized the sudden shift in the political winds and made his choice about which side offered better protection.
Parks hung back slightly, appearing to maintain a professional distance while actually creating an opportunity to speak privately. "I'll keep you informed despite Wallace's games. We both know what this is about now."
"Richardson." Lawson kept her voice barely above a whisper. "He's still controlling things from retirement."
"Through Wallace and others." Parks nodded subtly. "The corruption network your partner discovered five years ago remains active."
"We need that recording." Lawson glanced toward Dylan and his protected laptop. "It’s concrete evidence linking Richardson to Monica's murder."
"Get somewhere safe first. Wallace will have you followed." Parks maintained his escort posture as they reached the elevator. "I'll contact you through secure channels when I can."
The elevator doors opened. Lawson, Claire, Fiona, and Dylan stepped inside, leaving Parks behind. As the doors closed, Lawson caught his final whispered advice.
"Trust no one in uniform. Not anymore."
The elevator descended toward the street level, where curious onlookers and the media waited. Lawson felt the weight of her missing badge and service weapon like phantom limbs. Administrative leave. Public removal from the case. Wallace's heavy-handed tactics, designed to isolate and neutralize her.
Yet something unexpected had happened in the process. Their group had expanded to include Dylan and his protected evidence. Parks had subtly declared his allegiance to the truth rather than the chain of command.
Most importantly, they now had names. Richardson. Wallace. Byrd. The architecture of corruption Monica had died exposing. The powerful figures who had orchestrated her murder and continued protecting their interests five years later.
The elevator reached the ground level. Doors opened to camera flashes and shouted questions from reporters who had somehow learned of Lawson's suspension already.
Claire took the lead, professional shield deploying automatically. "No comments at this time. My client maintains her innocence of any wrongdoing and expects full reinstatement following proper review procedures."
They pushed through the media gauntlet toward Claire's car parked at the curb. Fiona kept Dylan close, protecting both him and his crucial laptop from the cameras and questions.
Lawson moved through the chaos with mechanical precision, mind already processing next steps rather than dwelling on present humiliation. Richardson had orchestrated Monica's death. Had likely ordered Blackwell's abduction. Would come for Lawson next once he realized she had discovered the truth.
The game had changed completely. No longer a quest for justice through official channels but a fight for survival against the very institution she had served for over a decade.
Some battles couldn't be won within the system.
Sometimes you had to burn everything down to expose the truth.
chapter
twenty-four
Morning news broadcastsblared from the television in Claire's beach house living room. Each channel displayed the same footage: Lawson exiting the parking garage, surrounded by cameras and shouted questions. The ticker at the bottom of the screen spelled out her new status with brutal simplicity: "Detective Erin Lawson Named Person of Interest in Leah Blackwell Disappearance."
