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Rachel read aloud. “Age 38. Multiple arrests for assault and battery. Suspected connection to organized crime.
Never convicted. Witnesses always mysteriously refused to testify.” “And the second guy?” James asked. Rachel clicked on the second profile.
“Marcus Delano. Age 41. Similar record. Assault, extortion, witness intimidation. Also never convicted.” James whistled low.
“These aren’t party guests. These are criminals.” “Exactly.” Rachel said. “So what were they doing at a charity gala?”
She started digging deeper. She found the guest list from the event. Vincent Torres and Marcus Delano were not on it.
“They crashed the party.” Rachel said. “Two known criminals with histories of violence crashed a high security event.
Why?” “To target someone.” James said understanding dawning on his face. “To target Abigail Carter?”
Rachel pulled up everything she could find about Abigail Carter. Tech billionaire. Recent business deals.
Enemies. “Look at this.” Rachel said pointing to a news article from 2 weeks before the gala.
“Abigail Carter’s company just testified against DataCore Industries in a major fraud case. Her testimony cost DataCore $50 million and got their CEO indicted.”
“Revenge.” James said. “Maybe. Or maybe they wanted to scare her into backing down before the trial.”
Rachel kept searching. “And look who has connections to DataCore’s CEO. Vincent Torres. He worked as security consultant for DataCore 3 years ago.”
The pieces were falling into place. Rachel stood up suddenly. “We need to talk to Marcus Reed now.”
Marcus sat in his jail cell staring at the gray walls. He’d been here for 5 days now.
5 days of bad food, hard beds, and the constant noise of other prisoners shouting and arguing.
His trial was scheduled for next week. His lawyer Thomas had visited yesterday to beg him one more time to take the plea deal.
Marcus had refused again. He heard footsteps coming down the corridor. A guard appeared at his cell door.
“Reed, you have visitors. Detectives want to talk to you.” Marcus’s heart sank. More questions.
More people who wouldn’t believe him. He was led to a small interview room. Two people sat at a table.
A woman with gray hair and a younger Asian man. They both wore detective badges.