Page 22 of Zero Divergence
“This better not be one of those fucking multi-level marketing schemes,” Holly said. “I do not have startup money to give you. I will not hock your vitamins or anything else you want to sell. I won’t be your damned guinea pig either.”
Sawyer laughed until tears spilled down his face. “Oh, god, Holls. Tell us how you really feel.”
“I need your help to put Franco Humphries back behind bars where he belongs,” Royce said solemnly. “That’s why I called you all here. I need people I can trust because I can’t run this investigation on the books since the fuckface is suing the police department, the DA’s office, and the city of Savannah.”
“I’m in. Tell me what you need,” Blue said unwaveringly.
“Me too, Ro,” Holly said. “I’ll always have your back.”
“Me three,” Ky said.
Sawyer and Royce looked at the three men who weren’t part of the MCU. Jonah nodded, Felix gave them a thumbs-up, and Rocky released a deep sigh.
“It’s going to cost you,” he said solemnly.
“You want me topayyou to help catch a serial killer?” Royce asked incredulously.
“No, jackass. I want you to apologize for hurting my feelings during the Wembley investigation.”
“I hurt your feelings?” Royce asked.
“You questioned my character and accused me of tipping off David Wembley so he’d have time to get into position to take out the man who killed his daughter and her fiancé.”
Sawyer looked at Royce. “You did?”
“Yeah,” Royce said sheepishly. “I called him when I was still doped up after surgery. I had to take out my rage on someone.” Royce shrugged. “This bastard was as good a target as any.”
“See. No respect,” Rocky said, shaking his head. “You want me to go out on a limb for you.”
“No, I want you to go out on a limb for Christi, Tara, Abby, and Harper. I want you to help me stop Humphries before he rapes and kills again. I should think that would be enough if your character is as sterling as you’re implying.”
Rocky knew he’d been had and threw his hands up in surrender. “Fine. I’m in.”
Royce nodded. He quickly retreated from the room and returned with the new case file they’d started. “Let me bring you up to speed.” He recounted the incidents from earlier in the week, starting with his visit to the county jail when Humphries was released. “Chief Mendoza asked me to look into the chain of custody issues and I dove in the next day, starting with interviewing Tobias. The man has a stellar memory, excellent record-keeping, and worked with the sketch artist to render a drawing of the courier who returned the evidence to him.” He handed it to Blue.
“You’ve been busy, boo,” Blue added before passing it to Holly on his right.
“That’s nothing,” Royce said, waving his hand. “I’m just getting to the good parts.” The sketch circulated the seating area. Felix set it on the coffee table when he was finished. Sawyer bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing when everyone leaned a little closer. “I took the sketch to Richmond Laboratories and showed it to every employee. None of them admitted to recognizing her or the B. Parker alias she used.”
“As in Bonnie Parker?” Jonah asked.
“We think so,” Sawyer told him. “We think it was her way of being funny.”
“Who the hell is Bonnie Parker?” Jace asked.
“Bonnie Parker was half of the famous criminal couple, Bonnie and Clyde.”
“She did steal the bedsheet,” Ky commented.
“Does that make Humphries Clyde, then?” Felix asked.
“That’s one of the reasons we asked you to join us. You’ve investigated Humphries thoroughly for the paper. Can you look through your notes and check with your sources to see if there’s a Clyde in his past anywhere? It might seem like a leap, but we can’t afford to leave any stones unturned.”
Felix removed his phone from his pocket and began typing notes. “Yeah, sure. I’ve done numerous podcasts on the murders over the years. I probably have a thousand documents.”
“You do a great job,” Jonah said.
Felix looked over at him and smiled. “Thanks, man.”