Page 116 of Stone Coast

“Well, with that much at stake, it’s easy to see why you decided to have people killed,” Xzavier snarked.

“I didn’t kill anybody.”

“No. You had somebody do it for you.”

Stratton’s face tightened. “I didn’t hire anybody to kill anyone.”

Xzavier brought back the flame.

“I swear!” Alec shouted, his face red, drenched in sweat. He was a millisecond away from bursting a blood vessel.

Xzavier relented. “You’re going to name everyone involved. You’re going to halt the trials and pay damages to the patients’ families. Then, you’re going to surrender to the police and admit to your crimes. If that doesn’t happen, this video will go out to every major media outlet. You can handle this on your terms or ours. Makes no difference. ”

Alec looked mortified.

“This is non-negotiable. And if you don’t do as you’re told, we’ll find you again. And the next time, you’ll end up at the bottom of the ocean. Are we clear?”

Stratton nodded. He didn’t have much choice. He would do as commanded.

Tyson and I stepped back into the next room. He hissed, “You’re playing with fire.”

“I’m not the one who started the fire,” I quipped. “These guys are getting results.”

“They risk blowing any real investigation.”

“There is no investigation, not without evidence. You said it yourself. Guys like Stratton always walk.”

He knew I was right.

“I’m a cop. I can’t condone this. I can’t be a part of it.”

“I told you to stay outside.”

He gave me a look.

“It’s not like you don’t bend the rules when convenient.”

“This is a little more than bending the rules. Kidnapping is tantamount to murder in this state.”

Xzavier left the other room and joined us. “Don’t worry. We’ll have him back where he belongs in no time. After he’s given us everything we need. Unharmed.”

“And if he doesn’t comply?” Tyson asked.

“He’ll comply. He damn near pissed himself.”

“I’ll tell you what I told her. You’re playing with fire.”

“That man tried to have you both killed. Or have you forgotten?”

“I haven’t forgotten. I don’t like him any more than you do. But there is a process.”

“Yes, and sometimes that process doesn’t work.”

A silence hung in the air.

Tyson was torn between duty and me. I didn’t like putting him in that position.

We left the warehouse, and Piper drove us in the van back to the marina to pick up Tyson’s car. I wasn’t sure where we would go from here.