Chapter 60
Chapter 60:
“Positive,” June said. She knocked on door 4B.
“Who is it?” a fearful voice called from within.
“Mrs. Kowalski, it’s June Erickson. I’m not here to sue you. I’m here to help you p>
The door cracked open. Mrs. Kowalski — the woman who had screamed “Murderer” at the protest — peered out. She looked exhausted. “Go away,” she hissed. “Helix said you’d come p>
“Helix used you,” Brogan said, stepping into view. “They paid you five thousand dollars. We know. The driver told us p>
Mrs. Kowalski’s face crumbled. She opened the door.
𝖡𝘦 𝘵𝗁𝘦 𝖿𝗂r𝘴𝘵 𝗍𝗈 re𝗮d 𝘰𝗻 ѕ.сo𝗆
Inside, the apartment was cramped. In the living room, her son sat in his wheelchair, playing a video game, his hands moving rapidly on the controller.
June walked in and placed a fruit basket on the table. “He’s not paralyzed, is he?” she asked softly.
“He… he has good days,” Mrs. Kowalski stammered.
June walked over to the boy. He ignored her, his eyes fixed on the screen.
“Brogan, turn the camera off for a moment,” she said quietly. He nodded and lowered his phone.
“May I?” June asked Mrs. Kowalski. She didn’t wait for an answer. She drew a long, thin silver needle from her sleeve — an acupuncture needle she always carried, a habit from her training with Dr. Zhang.
“If his nerves are dead, he won’t feel this,” June said.
She tapped the needle swiftly and precisely into a pressure point just below his knee. The boy’s leg kicked out violently. His foot struck the coffee table, sending empty soda cans flying.
“Ow! What the hell, lady!” the boy shouted, clutching his leg.
The room went silent.
Brogan raised his phone. “Okay, camera’s back on. Mrs. Kowalski, would you like to explain p>
Mrs. Kowalski burst into tears and sank onto the sofa. “They promised us ten thousand! My husband has gambling debts — they said nobody would get hurt p>
June sat down beside her and handed her a tissue. “I’m not going to press charges for fraud,” she said. “But you are going to sign an affidavit. You are going to tell the world that Helix put you up to this p>
Mrs. Kowalski nodded, sobbing. “I’ll do it. I’m sorry p>
One Hour Later
The news broke.
APEX VINDICATED: HELIX EXECS ARRESTED FOR SABOTAGE. FAKE VICTIM CONFESSES.
Apex Bio’s stock price, which had plummeted in recent days, began to climb like a rocket.
In his office, Cole watched the broadcast. He saw the video of Mrs. Kowalski apologizing, and he saw June standing in the background — stoic, untouchable. His eyes, however, fixed almost immediately on Brogan Clements beside her, a protective hand resting on her arm. He missed the subtler details: the exhaustion in her posture, the rigid way she held herself together.
She had done it. She had cleared her name without him. Without his money. Without his help.
Sterling walked in. “Sir, Apex stock is up fifteen percent. The board is asking if we should send a congratulatory basket p>
Cole stared at the screen. “No p>