Page 26 of Rascal

“Why not mention it previously?” I queried.

“Because I believe you interrupted me, and told me to get real. So, I got fuckin’ real,” Hallie snapped with a flash of temper. “Let me guess, Shane Morris once again falsely identified me.”

While Lio and I attempted to keep our faces straight, Hallie was obviously perceptive.

“I want to press charges of harassment and falsely accusing me of a crime. It’s clear Shane is obsessed with me, and he’s going to continue coming after me. Now do your job and protect me,” Hallie snapped.

“You’re free to go,” I stated, finally admitting defeat. Hallie clearly hadn’t beaten Rascal. If this picture were of her, it couldn’t have been taken today, not with that bruising. Hallie sent me daggers.

“Pull me in again, and it will be the last thing you do as cops,” Hallie promised. Her exit was ruined by the painful shuffle she did as she left. Still, she somehow retained her dignity.

Chance

“What the fuck?” I roared, staring at Lio and Ramirez. “That bitch beat him black and blue!”

“She’s got a damn cast-iron alibi, Chance.”

“You had her on camera!”

“The bitch is covered in bruises! Chance, she’s black and blue and can barely walk. It’s impossible Hallie beat the crap out of Rascal. Chance, I have to ask, could Rascal be a bad-un?”

I glowered at Ramirez. “No. The kid is clean. Why the fuck would he protect some bitch who stabbed him?”

“Then there’s something definitely fucked up happening here. Even if Hallie had schizophrenia or some other condition, she wouldn’t be able to hide those bruises. No amount of makeup would cover them. The evidence isn’t reliable because both Rascal and Hallie can’t be right,” Lio said.

“What do you suggest?” I asked, still furious.

“Lio needs to take this back to the beginning, collect their statements, speak to witnesses, everything from scratch. You’re all missing something. But as far as Rascal’s assault this afternoon, I can’t do shit against her alibis and evidence,” Ramirez replied.

“I’ve already requested the documentation from the State Attorney General, but they won’t release it. They’re performing their own review,” Lio stated.

“Then start again, interview everyone as if this happened today and not five years ago,” Ramirez advised, and Lio nodded.

“Chance, that’s all we’re able to do,” Lio agreed.

“That isn’t good enough. That bitch is aiming for my prospect, and even with evidence against her, she’s wriggling out of it. What happens when she kills him?” I snapped furiously.

“If she can get past Hellfire, then nobody has a chance. Hallie’s not Artemis,” Ramirez scoffed.

I glowered as they took their leave. Fuck them. I’d handle this my way.

Artemis

“We’ve nothing? There has to be something,” I declared during my meeting with Nigel.

“Boss, everything Sunny found is right. No female cousins resemble her; no missing twin; no registered stillborn to the family. I’ve got zilch. Milton’s not paid for a hit or anything. Her money is firmly in her bank, and I check it daily. Her only expenses are the hotel and things like clothing or meals.”

“What about her friend?” I asked.

“Kingston Albert. He holds a minor rap sheet. Teenage shit. Milton’s the one who stuck by him and kept him out of trouble. Without her, he was on track to become a career criminal. The man is a fitness freak. I’ve monitored both their phones, and they’re rarely used and no number more than twice.”

“Thanks, Nigel.” If he hadn’t found anything, there was nothing to find. “Simone?”

“Someone paid some bitches in prison to attack Milton and cut her up. It traced back to an untraceable account. I spoke to a couple who were involved. They explained Milton had made a bad enemy outside, and they were happy to beat the shit out of her. They were paid extra for cutting her up. Boss, this woman was an angel. The real deal until she flipped on Rascal. It doesn’t add up,” Simone said.

“You think Milton’s innocent?” I asked.

“Yeah. I think she got fitted up. Maybe Rascal was still drugged when he thought he saw her, and it stuck with him. There is nothing in his background to explain why he’d lie. These two people were in love, and this attack makes no sense. There’s something rotten. But I can’t find any evidence to point the finger at one or the other of them,” Simone added.