Chapter 12

William put his glasses back on, and for the first time, the real edge in his eyes showed through the lenses. "Because Nathan stumbled onto something he never should've seen."

"What was it?" Olivia asked.

A loaded smile tugged at William's mouth. "Three years ago, at Walker Manor, when he came to find you, he accidentally overheard a conversation between me and someone else.

"That person is the one who truly wanted Alex ruined. I was only one of his chess pieces."

Olivia's heart nearly stopped. "Who was it?"

William didn't answer.

He pushed the envelope forward half an inch. "Everything is in here. The full truth about Nathan's case, including the key evidence I suppressed in court, and including that person's identity. But..." He raised one finger. "I have one condition."

"What condition?"

William leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Take this evidence, overturn the case, save your brother, and drag that man out into the light. But while you're doing that, you must leave Alex."

Olivia's heart sank. "And if I refuse?"

William leaned back again and folded his hands over his stomach. "Then that envelope doesn't leave this office today. And your brother..." He smiled. "Next time, he might really end up in the morgue."

Olivia stared at the envelope on the desk. Her brother's life, or Alex. The same choice again.

Five years ago, she had chosen her brother and lost Alex. Five years later, that same choice was being shoved in front of her again.

Her nails bit hard into her palm. Then she reached out and picked up the envelope.

A satisfied smile spread across William's face. "A smart person knows when to..." He didn't get to finish.

Olivia stood up, gripping the envelope tightly in her hand. "Mr. Walker, every word you said has been recorded."

William's smile froze on his face.

Olivia pulled a tiny microphone out from under her collar. "From 'the person who truly wanted you two apart was me' all the way to 'he might really end up in the morgue,' I got all of it.

"As the presiding judge, you admitted out loud that you fabricated evidence, interfered with justice, and threatened a defendant's family member.

"How many years do you think that'll buy you behind bars?"

William's face changed instantly. He shot to his feet. "You..."

The office door was pushed open. Alex walked in, a phone in hand with the recording screen still lit up. Behind him stood three people in black uniforms.

"Uncle William." Alex's voice was cold as dead winter. "Let me introduce you. These three are investigators from the City Ethics Commission and the District Attorney's Office. They've been waiting since last night for your little performance."

William's face went from pale, to green, to nearly black. He glared at Alex. "You set me up?"

Alex walked to Olivia's side and moved her behind him. "Set you up? Uncle William, you framed the woman I love. You sent her brother to prison for three years, and had him beaten until three ribs were broken.

"And you call this getting set up? What I call it is..."

He spoke one word at a time. "Following the law."

The three investigators stepped forward. "William Walker, please come with us and cooperate with the investigation."

William didn't resist. He straightened his suit collar. When he reached the door, he suddenly turned and looked back at Alex. "Alex, you really think catching me means this is over?"

He smiled, and there was something eerie about it. "You won't catch the person behind me. He'll make your life hell, like I made Olivia's."

Then the door shut.

The office fell quiet. All the strength drained out of Olivia, and she collapsed back into the chair. The envelope in her hand was damp with sweat.

Alex crouched down and took her icy hand. "It's over."

Olivia shook her head as tears finally fell. "No. He said there's still someone behind him."

Alex pulled her into his arms and rested his chin against the top of her head. "Then we'll drag them out one by one. Anyone who's hurt you won't get away."