– The Weig
uldn't l
avier than it sounded. Like the name al
rely moved when
mayo
in closer. "W
ng her to the moment. She scanned the café-the low hum of jazz, the barista wip
ntwon. About me. A
d. "What di
rom everyone, even his father. Things tied to the district slush funds, fake identities, bodies hidd
re saying the mayor
to them. He thought they'd scare him. Send a messag
ice-cold. Zion sat back, hand
Tasted it. But this? Th
pocket-a flash drive, old and scratch
tated. Too
t's o
n't watch it. But whatever's
into his coat. "W
nd because you've already seen the signs. The m
e, press further-but th
n't just w
re sayin
standing up. "Wh
er coat down. "Somewhere I
Bu
find on that drive, don't take it to the poli
en she
og. Swallowed by the sile
at down
ve. His reflection staring
ing was
ayor's name was
as a
-
Zion stood in front
e truth went to die under p
at and a heavier heart. The flash drive was in
irs two at a time. His old boss-Captain Raleigh-was in. Zion could fe
nce, then ope
m behind his desk. "Zi
n said, walking in. "Some
mayor's son? That case is a
ied. He took out the flash dr
't touch it.
hat I'm here to find out. Bu
ared at each other-years of h
and plugged the flash drive into
Video thumbnails. Docum
t one. A recording. Antw
r's campaign fund-he's been laundering money for years. I
ion between city officials and a masked man exchanging unmarked bo
igh f
ust watched the man's
closed the lapto
it ties to everything-the murders, th
"If even half of this is tr
o know-are you with me on this?
way. Then he locked the office
ilt," he said. "You've got my trust. But fr
d. The war
lence wouldn't be