Chapter 61: The Media War

Victoria held her ground. Smile back in place. Practiced. Perfect.

"Lita. You look tired." She said it like a compliment but meant it as an insult. "All this stress must be so hard."

"I'm fine. You should leave."

"I'm on public property. I can stand wherever I want." She gestured to the camera. "And millions of people want to hear the truth about what happened to my aunt."

"Your aunt who you visited maybe three times in five years."

"Family is family. Even distant family." Victoria dabbed her eye. No actual tears. Just performance. "Margaret was troubled. We all knew that. And I tried to help. But some people in her life made things worse."

The camera moved toward me. Waiting for my reaction.

I didn't give them one.

"Who are you implying made things worse?" I asked. Calm. Steady.

"I'm not implying anything. I'm simply saying that Margaret was surrounded by people who didn't have her best interests at heart." Victoria looked at the camera. "People who manipulated a vulnerable woman."

"And you have evidence of this?"

"I have concerns. And grief." More fake dabbing. "A mother is dead. A young man died here months ago. And the police are asking questions. That's all I know."

"What you know," I said carefully. "Is that your aunt is dead. And you want her money. And you came here with cameras hoping to pressure me. Hoping I'd react badly. Give you something to use."

"That's a terrible thing to say."

"It's an accurate thing to say." I looked at the camera directly. "My mother struggled. She made mistakes. She hurt people. Me especially. But she died on her own terms. Her choice. And I was there trying to help her. Not hurt her."

"The police seem to think differently."

"The police are doing their job. Asking questions. That's normal after any death. It doesn't mean anything." I kept my voice even. "But coming here with cameras and lawyers before any facts are established? That means something. That tells me exactly what this is."

"And what is this?"

"A money grab dressed up as grief." I stepped closer. "My mother changed her will three months ago. You know that. I know that. The lawyers know that. So go ahead. Take the money. Take the house. Take it all. I signed it over already."

Victoria blinked. That surprised her. "You what?"

"I signed everything over. Willingly. You won. Congratulations." I smiled. "So what exactly are you still doing here? If the money is yours, why do you need cameras?"

Victoria's mouth opened. Closed.

Because she had no answer.

The camera guy looked confused. This wasn't the confrontation she'd promised him.

"I came because justice matters," Victoria tried.

"Justice for who? My mother? Then talk to the police. Give them everything you have. I welcome an investigation because I have nothing to hide." I stepped back. "But if this is just about hurting me publicly because I wouldn't fight you over money, then we're done here."

I turned. Started walking toward the gym.

"This isn't over," Victoria called.

"It is for today." I didn't look back. "David Park is my lawyer. Any further contact goes through him. Have a nice afternoon."

I walked inside. The door closed behind me.

The pack was watching through the windows. They'd seen everything.

Alex started slow clapping. "That was incredible."

"Did she really leave?" I asked.

Stacey looked out. "She's packing up the camera crew. Looks mad." She grinned. "You destroyed her without raising your voice. Not one single time."

"Getting mad gives her what she wants." I sat down. My legs finally shaking now that it was over. "Staying calm took it away."

Cole came in from outside. "She's gone. Left in a hurry." He sat beside me. Took my hand. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"Survival. Growing up with my mother and father. You learn to fight without fighting." I exhaled. "Did the camera crew get anything usable?"

"Not really. You gave them nothing to work with. No anger. No threats. Just facts." Andres was already on his laptop. "Actually there are already clips online. People are saying you handled it perfectly. Calling Victoria a vulture."

"Good. Public opinion matters right now."

"The Elder called while you were outside," Alex said. "She has James's journal ready for David. He can pick it up today."

"Good. Cole, can you text David?"

"Already done."

Things were moving. Finally in the right direction.

Then Stacey's face changed. She was looking at her phone. "Hey. Something's wrong."

"What?"

"There's a wolf. Unknown. At the south gate. He's asking for you specifically. Won't give his name." Stacey looked up. "But he says he has information about who really killed James. Physical evidence. Something the police don't have."

"Could be a trap," Cole said immediately.

"Could be. But what if it's not?" I stood. "Let him in. The common room. With guards on every exit."

"Lita," Cole started.

"If he has real evidence about James, we need to know." I looked at Cole. "Set it up. But be ready for anything."

Ten minutes later, the stranger walked in.

Young. Maybe twenty five. Nervous. Thin. A long scar running down his left cheek.

He looked at me. Then at the ground. Submissive posture.

"Luna Alpha," he said. "My name is Danny Reeves. I used to run with Brian Mitchell's crew. Before everything went bad."

"Sit down, Danny," I said.

He sat. Hands shaking.

"You said you have evidence about my brother's death. Start talking."

He reached into his jacket. Pulled out a small drive. USB. Old looking.

"Brian recorded everything. Every deal. Every order. Every crime. He kept it all as insurance." Danny put the drive on the table. "Including the night he ordered James killed. Full audio. His voice. The guy he hired. Everything."

Silence.

I stared at the drive.

"Why are you bringing this to me?" I asked. "Why not the police?"

"Because Brian's people are still out there. If I go to police, I'm dead in a week." He looked at me. "But you're Luna. You can protect me. And I can give you what you need to clear your name."

"How did you get this?"

"I was Brian's driver for two years. He trusted me. Gave me a copy of everything as my own insurance." Danny's eyes were honest. Scared. "When I heard you were being investigated. When I saw what Victoria was doing on the news. I knew I had to come."

"You're asking for pack protection in exchange for this drive."

"Yes. I know I have no right to ask. I'm not pack. I'm nobody. But I'm scared. And this is all I have."

I looked at Cole. He gave me a small nod.

I looked at the drive. At Danny's scared face.

At the one thing that could save me from a murder charge.

"You'll be protected," I said. "But first, we verify what's on this drive. If it's real, you have my word."

Danny exhaled. Like he'd been holding his breath for weeks.

"It's real, Luna. I promise."

I picked up the drive.

The answer to James's murder. Sitting in my hand.

Finally.