Page 115 of Fighting Conviction

The news anchorwoman ran up to ADA Aguilar as he finished shaking a crime scene investigator’s hand. ADA Aguilar turned to the camera and pasted a winning smile on his face, but even Ellie could tell from the crinkles around his eyes he was stressed.

“Assistant District Attorney Aguilar, can you comment on the rumors that Ashland County Sheriff’s Department’s Investigator Burgess was in the thick of this trafficking ring?”

ADA Aguilar’s wince was slight, probably not even noticeable unless you knew him. “From what we can tell, Investigator Burgess was heavily involved in the inner workings of the trafficking ring, but in what capacity we’re not sure. We think Dmitri Rusnak might’ve been blackmailing Investigator Burgess. But it should be known that thanks to Investigator Burgess’s meticulous notes, reports, and body camera footage of numerous phone calls with who we believe is Rusnak on the other line, we now have a clearer picture of who has been involved in this case.”

“And that’s a good thing I take it? Even though he was working for them… he was helping Ashland County?”

Aguilar shook his head. “Whether Investigator Burgess was keeping records to put these guys behind bars or whether he was trying to blackmail them back, we’re not sure. But what I do know is, we have a lot more people we are looking into, and when we find Dmitri Rusnak, his case is gonna be a slam dunk. Thank you, that’s all the time I have—”

“Wait! Sir, people are wondering how long this has been going on. Can you tell us if Investigator Burgess was part of the trafficking ringlastyear?”

ADA Aguilar sucked in a breath and shook his head again. “All I can say about it is, it looks like he only got in deep with the human trafficking side recently. It seems as though he was mostly involved in the drug trade that Rusnak also has his hands in. Maybe he was as surprised as the rest of us about the human trafficking and how entangled it is with the Ashland elite, but he was too wrapped up in it to get out. We’re not sure at this time. Thank you, that’ll be all today, Morgan. Thank you for your work at Channel Seven.”

The anchorwoman’s mouth fell open as ADA Aguilar walked away. “Oh, uh, th-thank you, sir.” She turned a slightly flushed face toward the camera again. “Well, AC listeners, we’ll be keeping you updated here on—”

Ellie turned off the TV before looking at Dev and Virginia’s stunned faces. “Well, dang.”

“Sounds like Burgess was a fucking double agent,” Dev grumbled in disbelief.

“Something like that,” Ellie said, her voice quiet, too stunned to know what to do with herself.

A large, strong hand grabbed both of hers before squeezing. “Still want to go, angel? I know bringing stuff up can be—”

“I’m fine, just give me a second first.” Ellie curved her free hand over the one Dev was using to hold hers. She took a deep breath and mentally repeated the mantra she now used to center herself.

I am safe. I am in control. I am here, in this moment.

She opened her eyes and saw Dev’s small smile.

And I’m happy.