Page 31 of Shadow

Or maybe she just wanted it to be true.

Which was exactly the problem.

“Tell me about Neurosync.”

He took another sip of coffee. “Highly addictive stimulant. Causes euphoria initially. Then paranoia. Aggression. Psychotic episodes. Users develop superhuman strength during episodes. Can’t feel pain. Extremely dangerous.”

“Like the kids this morning.”

“Exactly like the kids this morning.” He turned to his computer and pulled up chemical analysis reports. Distribution maps. Overdose statistics. “It’s been spreading through Renegade for about eighteen months. Started small. Now it’s everywhere.”

Eighteen months.

The same timeline as his⁠—

“You said you have eighteen months of intelligence.” She kept her voice neutral. “What does that mean exactly?”

Asher’s expression didn’t change. But something shifted behind his eyes. “I’ve been working this case for eighteen months. Building intelligence on syndicate operations.”

“Alone?”

“With a task force. FBI, local PD, US Marshals. My liaison is Rudy Patterson, with the FBI.”

Daphne studied him. “Why should I trust you?”

“You shouldn’t.” He met her eyes. “You should verify everything I tell you. Cross-reference with independent sources. Assume I’m lying until the evidence proves otherwise.”

“That’s what I plan to do.”

“Good.” He almost smiled. “That’s smart.”

The almost smile softened the exhaustion. Made him look younger.

Stop it.

“Tell me about the corrupted officials you’ve arrested.”

Asher’s expression went serious again. He pulled up more files.

Names. Photos. Documentation.

“Judge Russell Fields. Involved in trafficking both children and drugs through the Youth of the Future Foundation.”

He clicked to the next file. “Arrested six months ago after financial records surfaced linking him to the syndicate.”

“From where?”

“Anonymous tip.”

“Convenient.”

“Or genuine.” He clicked again. “Former Supervising Deputy US Marshal Daniel Howard. Helped orchestrate Finn Donovan’s prison escape. Worked directly with Draven Frost and Roger Rousseau. Arrested after the escape attempt.”

Daphne knew that case. Had read the reports. “Anyone else?”

“Suspected but not confirmed.” He pulled up more photos. “Several local officials. Business owners. Law enforcement at various levels.”

“FBI?”