Page 52 of Lethal Justice

Malco brushed her hands aside, leaving her to take care of Alex, as he accepted Shane’s hand to get to his feet. “Kasten is gone, we need to find him before he disappears. Or he offs himself like the coward he is.”

Shane nodded, and opened his mouth to speak but touched his earpiece instead. Malco wanted to take a gun and go after the corrupt cop, but he doubted he could run with his reopened wound.

“We saw him exiting the building, and Nicholas went after him. He and Wolf are on their way back with Kasten, there’s no way he’s getting a get-out-of-jail-free card if we can help it.”

As if on cue, the main door open opened to Nick’s and Wolf’s tall silhouettes framed an overpowered, cuffed, and squirming Kasten.

“Let me go! You have no right to take me like that! I’ll sue your asses for this!”

Both agents dropped him unceremoniously to the ground, with some force, not that Malco minded.

“We have every right to bring you in as we were appointed by Chief Randall for that task.”

“The DA will hear about this!”

Shane smiled as Wolf and Nicholas picked Kasten up again and brought him forward. “You’re obviously talking about DA Pool. Let me reassure you that you’ll be reunited with him very soon. As we speak, the rest of our team are taking him in, including Ms. Flores and all your other accomplices.”

Kasten all but spit at the news. “You have nothing on me, and that whore lawyer of yours has filled your head with nonsense.”

Malco’s fist connected with the man’s chin, causing Kasten’s eyes to roll, and he slumped in his captor’s grasp.

“I bet that felt good.” Wolf smiled while Nicholas shook his head.

Malco couldn’t deny it. “I was tired of hearing his voice.”

Shane slapped his shoulder, but the impact reverberated to his side, and when he pressed his hand over the pain, it returned bloody.

“Hell, Malco. That wound has reopened. We’re taking Alex to the hospital and you’re going with him.”

“No, I need to see Frida.”

His boss shook his head. “I made sure your woman is protected. As we speak, there are two pairs of eyes on her. Anyway, everything will be over in the next couple of minutes.”

With a frown, Malco helped carry Alex to the waiting car so Nicholas and Wolf could escort Kasten to the police station. “What do you mean the next couple of minutes?”

Emme giggled. “Let’s take care of you first, then I’ll lend you my phone, so you can watch it.”

* * *

Frida’s handshook slightly as she stood in front of the podium of reporters and prepared to make the speech of a lifetime. It had cost them time, but after much thought, it had been agreed by the team that this was the best plan.

They’d split into three teams to locate Rina and Pool, who were together at Rina’s mother’s house. Kasten’s sister Nicole, who’d been at home, and finally Kasten himself, who was at the unit with Malco and Alex.

With help from the Chief and internal affairs, they were ready to move on all the names she’d picked up from her hours of investigation. The third team consisting of Shane, James, Mercy, and Nick were waiting for the word to go and rescue Malco and Alex just as soon as they had confirmation she was ready for her speech.

So, as she stood on the steps of the court where she’d fought her past and won, she now attempted to fight again, and this time the stakes were higher.

Lights flashed, and the noise built before she stepped to the microphone, and the reporters went silent.

“Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may know me as Frida Montalvo, but I was born Maria Garroyo.” A hush went over the area as they listened intently. “My father was the leader of the Dead Kings in Los Angeles, and his legacy and the cruel, evil things he did have led me here today.” Frida took a deep breath and continued.

“I grew up afraid, terrified of what would become of me, of the violence that was a constant part of my life from the day I was born. I lost my mother and my beloved sister to that violence, and I made a choice. It was a dangerous choice, but one I have never regretted. I ran, and I never stopped until today. I became a lawyer, and I made sure my father and his gang paid for what they had done.”

Reporters were beginning to move closer as she spoke, their camera’s flashing. “I made it my mission to take his operation apart piece by piece and give the people oppressed by his violent hold on the community a chance to live a life free of fear. To give mothers peace and allow the youth, the future of our country, to thrive with education and hope. Today, we have made a start on making that happen here in Miami by bringing down two men we should’ve been able to trust. Men who allowed greed to sully the good name of our police force and our District Attorney’s office. As we speak, Detective Charles Kasten and Deputy District Attorney Clark Pool are being placed in police custody for corruption, murder, kidnap, assault, and a host of other offenses.”

Frida heard the hushed silence before questions and calls erupted around her. She didn’t stop and answer them, though.

“I hope you can all understand that, as this will be an ongoing investigation, I cannot say anything further, but we will update you as and when we can. Thank you.” Frida stepped aside and was hurried away by Mason. As they neared the inside of the building, she felt him still, and she looked up at him, her heart in her throat, fear in her belly. She saw him smile, and his eyes locked on her face. Then she knew it would be okay because Malco was safe.