Page 9 of Therefore

Chapter Eight

Emerson

I f one more person interrupted me today, I was going to lose it. This was exactly why I preferred working from home—no distractions, unless a thieving omega was nearby. But today, everyone and their great-aunt seemed to need my attention.

“I’m not looking over the case file, Harris. That trial isn’t for another two weeks,” I growled at my friend, my poker face long abandoned.

Unfortunately, Harris had seen worse from me over years of working together and wasn’t easily deterred. “Come on, please. I need your eyes on this, or the guy’s gonna walk. We all know he did it but—”

“But right now, it isn’t the priority,” I snapped. “I’ll get to it, really, just not today.”

Harris sighed, folding his arms over his chest and staring me down. For a beta, he had incredible confidence standing up to alphas. Usually, that confidence worked for our friendship, keeping me on my toes, but today was not the day for it.

After a long moment, he finally relented.

“Okay, go do your thing. I’ll grab you after, and you can fill me in on the latest with the Fisher case.

” He turned to leave before adding, “Oh, and thanks for stealing my favourite board room for that client meeting in an hour, by the way. You know I like to spread out in there for cases like this one. It’s way roomier than my cupboard-sized office. ”

“The what—” I started, but he’d already escaped my office. Poking my head out of the doorway, I asked Pearl, “Why does Harris think I have a client meeting today?”

She blinked up at me, her blond eyebrows raised. “Because you do. I’d assumed you were the one who added it to your calendar this morning. It’s short notice, but not unheard of.”

I shook my head, grinding my teeth before catching myself and taking a deep breath. My calendar was supposed to be blocked out until the meeting with Norah and detective Rhodes this afternoon. Something was up. The timing felt too strange to be a coincidence.

Pearl clicked on her laptop a few times. “The notes say it’s for a new case being brought in, but there’s not much other information.” She narrowed her eyes, thinking for a moment before snapping out of her little trance. “Oh, that reminds me. I have that file you requested.”

Pearl met my gaze, her large innocent eyes twinkling with barely contained mischief. She was always happy to help with research, but she especially loved anything off the books. Said it made her feel like a secret agent in an old noir movie.

Smiling, I nodded to my office and headed back inside. Once Pearl joined me, locking the door behind her, and I sat behind my desk then said, “Please tell me you found something.”

Pearl smiled widely, handing me a thick manila folder. “It took a lot of digging, but I present to you: Trystan Wells. Age twenty-five.”

Twenty-five?! Ugh, I’m practically a cradle-robber.

She continued, “I have to say, this omega of yours is excellent at covering his tracks, but no one’s perfect.”

“Except you.” I chuckled, flicking the folder open.

My eyes immediately caught on a blurry CCTV image of a young man glaring up towards the camera.

It was dated several years ago. He couldn’t have been older than fifteen.

His black hair was longer, with a jagged fringe covering one eye, but even blurred I recognised the scowl painted across his face.

“He seemed to be quite the little rebel in his teen years. Started with vandalism, then moved on to shoplifting and a few car jacks for added spice,” Pearl commented. “But strangely, his record quickly cleans up remarkably well. Looks like he really turned his life around—on paper, at least.”

“Or he was just more experienced and learned to hide better.”

“More than likely, considering your run-in with him.”

I studied the pictures first, none of them recent. The latest was three years old, taken at a hospital where he sat in a waiting room, cradling his right arm. My blood boiled seeing him in obvious pain, even in an old photograph.

“His hospital records tell more of a story than his criminal record. For what it’s worth, I don’t recommend reading them, even though I know you will.” Pearl’s heels clicked towards the door until she closed it behind her, leaving me alone with the folder.

She was right on all counts. It was filled with seemingly endless entries of broken bones, fractures, deep lacerations requiring stitches all throughout his childhood, from toddler years to early-teens.

If I’d read these records on behalf of a client, I’d feel sick.

Reading them and knowing the man involved, caring for him, made me want to burn the fucking world.

Eventually, I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose and inhaling a long, deep breath.

There was nothing I could do about the past. I thought I’d come to terms with that in my line of work, but it felt so much more personal with Trystan.

With my omega. A few quick searches confirmed his mother died almost ten years ago and his father went shortly after.

Drug abuse. At least they were dead and gone. If I’d been able to meet them…

My inner alpha bristled against my mind, aching to protect him. I’d settle for making sure nothing like that ever happened to him again. He may not have taken my role as his alpha seriously when we spoke, but I meant every word I said to him.

Turning to the final page in the folder, my interest piqued.

Another CCTV photo, this time outside the hospital, dated four years ago.

Trystan was standing in the car park, speaking to a bald man leaning out of the driver’s side window of a classic Ferrari.

His stance was awkward, leaning away from the car.

I’d bet money Trystan wasn’t enjoying this conversation.

Focusing on the stranger, the camera angle didn’t allow me to see his face and his head tattoo was blurred to hell.

But the car’s licence plate was perfectly legible.

Scribbling the details on a Post-It, I checked the time and groaned. Time for my mysterious client meeting. At least I’d still have time afterwards to review the diary before seeing Norah and Rhodes.

As I exited my office, my nose tingled. I could smell something minty and…earthy. Hm.

“Pearl, could you do me a favour, please?” I handed her the note. “A few favours, actually.”