Page 43 of Retribution

“Then answer the question,” I push.

“Fuck,” she sighs. “Five years ago, I was kidnapped off the street to be sold at an auction. But, instead of being sold, the madam chose to keep me.”

“For what?” I ask, disgusted at the thought of why someone would do that.

“Fodder for her handlers,” she replies, opening her trunk and tossing her bags in.

Isolde leaves me with the cart and way too many questions as she drives away, but one thing is for sure.

I understand why Lucas is so obsessed, and I wish I’d kept my mouth shut.

The police officer in charge of Lucas’ case isn’t happy with the written statement I’m handing him, but he doesn’t have much choice but to take it.

“I appreciate your understanding during this difficult time,” I say without any hint of a smile.

“This is bullshit,” the officer says.

“Why should he drive all the way back here when he’s home?” I ask. “Mr. Reid is a busy man.”

The chief comes over as he sees me, brow raised.

“I see everything is in order?” he asks, his gaze steely and refusing to accept any denial of the status quo.

Chief Lopern is slightly crooked in the fact that he accepts bribes written out to his station. It helps his budget for training and salaries, and keeps his police officers safe from budgetary constraints.

“Yes, Chief. I just need to see you for a moment,” I say.

I walk with him to his office, watching as the bull pen’s activity continues around us. There are people getting booked in, a woman wearing practically nothing who is handcuffed to a desk, and she opens her legs wide in my direction to show off her cunt.

“I see things are busy for you all today,” I say drolly. The Chief winces as he follows my gaze.

“Kat,” he yells, getting the attention of one of his officers. “Do you mind telling me why that woman is handcuffed and not already in a cell?”

“It’s a long story,” the officer says, appearing harried. “I’m trying to find out who she is, but she doesn’t have any identification. Add to that the fact that she tried to spit on me, I lost my patience and resorted to handcuffing her.”

“Do you have any clothing available so she’ll stop flashing her pussy at everyone that walks by?”

“Ugh, I should have called in sick today,” Kat complains. “I’ll find some shorts for her. I need to fingerprint her so I can run them. Something tells me that she’s been picked up before.”

“Keep me updated,” Chief says on autopilot. The female officer almost looks surprised before nodding and scurrying away.

Once I’m in his office, he closes the door behind us and I swear, the noise drops several decibels.

“I don’t know what it is about mid-January, but there’s always an influx in crime around this time after the holidays,” he sighs.

“Mr. Reid wanted me to drop a donation to you,” I explain with a small smile. “Hopefully, it’ll help with how busy you all are.”

Handing him the large check, I watch as his jaw drops.

“This is very generous of him,” he breathes.

I notice how he doesn’t refuse it and I hold in a smirk. The city isn’t willing to give more money to their police departments, which makes it easier to bribe him on Lucas’ behalf.

“It’s not a problem at all. I have to head out, but wanted to make sure you got that,” I say, already reaching for the door knob.

The Chief of police can talk if you let him get going, and I don’t want to get caught up in his gift of gab and gossip.

“Understood,” he murmurs, still mesmerized by the amount on the check.