Page 37 of Lethal Justice

“I won’t fail.”

Behind them, the door to the infirmary opened and closed behind Emme. Frida leaped forward, but Shane merely smiled.

“Malco’s fine. He’s asleep now, or more precisely, he’s sedated. It was a deep wound. He should’ve gone to the hospital. I fear it will leave a mean scar on his side, but he was adamant. He should be back on his feet and as stubborn as ever in a couple of hours. Sleep will help.”

Frida relaxed a little, knowing he was fine, but she knew that time was of the essence. She put her hand on Shane’s arm. “Time to go see JaKheel. If I’m going to bring down those crooked cops and protect your Agency, I need to convince him to cooperate now.”

* * *

The normally hourlong drive to the safe house had been well orchestrated by Shane, and turned into a three-hour journey, filled with detours, vehicle swaps, and utmost secrecy.

James and Mercy accompanied Frida, keeping an eye on her safety. Both of them were stern and silent the entire way, which mirrored the general mood.

Frida barely had time to change and check on Malco before leaving. When she’d seen him sleeping peacefully, but pale and drawn, guilt invaded her. Could she have prevented him from being hurt? That thought haunted her and still did as she looked outside the car window.

Guilt was swept away by a steely resolve when the car turned into a small dirt road that led to what seemed like a small farmhouse.

Nicholas was waiting for them on the steps. He was in charge of the team and overseeing the security of the safe house for the time being. When she exited the car, the sun was low over the horizon.

Nicholas, always so stern, looked even gloomier. Looking around, he gestured at them to come inside. “Got the update from Shane about what happened. Took you a while to get here.”

James rolled his eyes. “Getting rid of potential tails takes time and isn’t fun. I’d rather put a bullet in their heads, but Shane ordered otherwise.”

Frida stepped inside, Mercy behind her. “Where’s the asset?”

Nicholas gestured to the floor. “He’s in a secured cell downstairs. Hasn’t talked or attempted anything. I hope you know how to crack hard nuts because he’s definitely one.”

Nicholas opened a trap door in the floor and led the way. The basement was larger than she expected, specially designed as a holding block. Only one cell was occupied, and she could see JaKheel inside, sitting on the small cot, looking straight at them with all the rage the young man could muster. As he stood, he reminded Frida of a panther, a very inexperienced, angry one, which made him both a liability and her only hope.

She gestured to the men to stand back.

“I always thought torture came first, and then I’d be given something sweet to sway me to whatever bullshit you have in mind.”

Frida crossed her arms and moved forward. “Do you know who I am?”

“The fucking lawyer who can’t stop putting her nose where she shouldn’t.”

“That’s an interesting perspective. I guess on one level, you’re right.”

“I’m not doing any kind of deal with you. With anybody for that matter, so you and your guard dogs can fuck off.”

She’d seen that kind of defiance many times in her life, and while he was projecting it well, he wasn’t fooling her. “If you’re trying to impress me, you aren’t.”

The young man snickered. “So leave me the fuck alone then.”

“You think I’m here to sweeten you up but what you don’t realize is I’m your only option. The only one for you, Danie… and your unborn baby.”

The look on JaKheel’s face lasted only a second, but it was true vulnerability she saw before he put his mask back in place.

“You have balls spreading those kind of lies. As if that would make me go against the Razors.”

“I’m not talking about the Razors. I don’t give a shit about them. They’re not my target. I want Kasten and Pool.”

With a shrug, he put his hands in his pockets. “One way or another, you want me to betray Bullet and the Razors, and that I won’t do.”

“Even to have a new life? To protect your family?”

This time, he exploded in her face, gripping the bars between them as he shouted. “Fucking stop with your lies!”