Chapter 4 - The Trap
Garrett arrived at 11:47 that night.
Elena was alone in the bedroom.
At least, that was what Garrett believed.
The apartment looked normal.
Lamp glowing.
Bed unmade.
Her hospital bag beside the dresser.
Elena wore an oversized cream sweater and shorts.
Her hands were empty.
Garrett knocked.
“Elena?”
She opened the door.
No chain this time.
His smile appeared immediately.
“I knew you'd come around.”
“I want this finished.”
“It can be.”
Garrett stepped inside.
His eyes swept the room.
“Where's Moretti?”
“Gone.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
Garrett walked toward her.
“You always were terrible at lying.”
“And you always confused intimidation with intelligence.”
His smile vanished.
“Careful.”
There it was.
The voice.
The warning.
Elena felt fear rise.
But she didn't retreat.
Garrett moved closer.
“I spent fourteen months looking for you.”
“I noticed.”
“I lost promotions because of you.”
“You lost them because internal affairs suspected you.”
“You made them suspect me.”
“No, Garrett. You did.”
His hand closed around her wrist.
Elena stiffened.
“Let go.”
“You're coming with me.”
“No.”
“You don't get to say no anymore.”
A voice came from the doorway.
“She just did.”
Garrett froze.
Lucian Moretti stood there.
Fresh black shirt.
Dark trousers.
Bandage hidden beneath the fabric.
Matteo and two others stood behind him.
Garrett released Elena.
Then smiled.
“So the great Lucian Moretti hides behind women now.”
Lucian entered slowly.
“No.”
He stopped beside Elena.
“I stand beside them.”
Garrett reached toward his jacket.
Lucian didn't move.
“Bad idea.”
Garrett stopped.
Matteo raised a phone.
“Everything you've said tonight has been recorded.”
Garrett laughed.
“You think that matters?”
Another voice came from the hallway.
“Yes.”
Captain Rebecca Sloan entered.
Garrett's face changed.
Elena recognized her from North River Internal Affairs.
Sloan held up a folder.
“We've been investigating you for eight months.”
Garrett looked at Elena.
“You set me up.”
Elena shook her head.
“You did that yourself.”
Sloan continued.
“Bribery. Evidence tampering. Obstruction. Conspiracy. Sale of restricted police intelligence.”
Garrett backed toward the bedroom.
Lucian watched him.
“Nowhere to go.”
Garrett suddenly grabbed the wooden bat Elena kept beside the dresser.
Matteo stepped forward.
Elena moved first.
“Garrett.”
He turned.
That moment was enough.
Lucian knocked the bat from his hand and shoved him away from Elena.
Garrett stumbled against the bed.
Sloan's officers entered.
“Garrett Hale, hands where we can see them.”
Garrett stared at Elena.
“You think Moretti is better than me?”
Elena said nothing.
“He's a criminal.”
Lucian didn't deny it.
Garrett laughed bitterly.
“He'll control you too.”
Lucian finally spoke.
“She doesn't take orders particularly well.”
Elena glanced at him.
“Correct.”
Garrett's face twisted.
“You'll come back.”
“No.”
“You always do.”
“Not this time.”
Officers took Garrett away.
He shouted her name until the elevator doors closed.
Then the apartment became silent.
Elena stood motionless.
Lucian approached but didn't touch her.
“You okay?”
“No.”
He nodded.
“Good answer.”
She looked at him.
“I thought I'd feel different.”
“How?”
“Stronger.”
“You opened the door knowing he was coming.”
“I was terrified.”
“You did it anyway.”
Elena looked down.
Lucian held out his hand.
Not grabbing.
Not demanding.
Simply offering.
She stared at it.
Then placed her hand in his.
For the first time in years, Elena realized something.
Someone could be strong enough to protect her without taking away her choices.
But the moment didn't last.
Matteo returned.
“Lucian.”
“What?”
“Salerno knows Garrett was arrested.”
Lucian released Elena's hand.
“And?”
“He's moving tonight.”
“Where?”
“Harbor Mercy.”
Elena's face drained.
“My hospital?”
Matteo nodded.
“Salerno believes you hid the ledger there.”
Lucian looked at Elena.
She was already grabbing her coat.
“No.”
She kept moving.
“Elena.”
“My coworkers are there.”
“Salerno wants me.”
“And he's going into my hospital to get you.”
Lucian stared at her.
She zipped her coat.
“You coming?”
His mouth almost curved.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She opened the door.
May you like
“Try using it this time instead of my window.”
---
