Chapter 173
Chapter 173:
Xander leaned in, planting his hands flat on the table. “Fifteen years, Zack. That’s the mandatory minimum for grand larceny and insurance fraud of this magnitude.” The Sheriff paused, letting the silence stretch before delivering the final blow. “And that’s before we consider the consequences of defrauding the Mate of the Lycan King p>
The title hit the room like a physical shockwave.
Zack’s eyes widened in absolute, paralyzing horror. The fragile psychological wall of a Rogue facing human law was nothing compared to the terrifying reality of a Lycan King’s vengeance. He began to hyperventilate, his hands shaking violently against the handcuffs.
“It wasn’t my idea!” Zack shrieked, his voice cracking. “It was Kira! Kira Parrish! She hired me and Sloane Prescott to stage the whole thing! She wanted to destroy the hotel’s reputation. She paid me through an offshore account in the Caymans — I swear to the Goddess p>
I watched him spill every detail through the two-way glass, my dormant wild rose scent remaining perfectly calm and icy.
A few minutes later, Sheriff Xander stepped out of the interrogation room and joined me in the hallway. He let out a heavy sigh, running a hand over his face.
“We have a confession,” Xander said grimly. “But a Rogue’s word isn’t enough to secure a conviction against the Parrish family’s legal team. They’ll claim he’s a disgruntled employee making up lies. I need a smoking gun — I need that financial trail p>
I didn’t blink. I reached into my leather tote bag and pulled out a thick black folder stamped with the silver crest of the Blackstone Empire. Fletcher Banks had delivered it to my car just before I arrived.
I slid the heavy file into Xander’s hands. “Bank records, wire transfers, and the IP addresses linking a Parrish shell company directly to Zack’s Cayman account on the exact day of the theft p>
Xander opened the folder, his eyes scanning the meticulously documented evidence. He looked up at me, a newfound, profound respect mingling with a healthy dose of awe. “How did you get this so fast p>
𝗙іn𝗱 𝗻𝘰𝗏𝗲𝗹 P𝖣𝖥𝘀 о𝗇
“I have resources, Sheriff,” I replied, my voice a smooth, glacial calm. “And they are… extensive p>
Xander nodded and snapped the folder shut. “I have enough for an immediate arrest warrant.” He pulled Zack’s confiscated cell phone from an evidence bag. “Let’s save my deputies a manhunt p>
Xander dialed Kira’s number and put the phone on speaker. It rang three times before she answered.
“Did you stick to the script, little Rogue?” Kira purred, her voice echoing in the quiet precinct hallway. In the background, I could hear the soothing ambient music of a high-end spa and the soft bubbling of water. She was likely enjoying a moonstone mud bath, completely oblivious to the fact that her world was collapsing around her.
“Ms. Parrish,” Xander said, his tone strictly professional. “This is Sheriff Xander. A warrant has just been issued for your arrest on multiple felony charges, including grand larceny and conspiracy p>
The bubbling water on the other end of the line abruptly stopped.
“Turn yourself in immediately,” Xander continued, “or I will dispatch cruisers to your spa and have you escorted out in handcuffs p>