Chapter 62: The Recording

Andres set up his laptop on the table. Everyone gathered around. Me, Cole, Alex, Stacey, The Elder. Even Danny, though he looked like he wanted to run.

"Ready?" Andres asked.

"Play it," I said.

He plugged in the drive. Files appeared on screen. Dozens of them. All labeled with dates and names.

Andres scrolled down. Found one labeled "James Dillard. October 2025."

My breath caught. That was two weeks before James died.

He clicked it. Audio started playing.

Brian's voice. Clear as day.

"So we agree. Five thousand now. Five thousand after."

Another voice. Male. Rough. "And you want it to look like an accident."

"Clean. No evidence. The guy trains at a gym. Make it look like equipment failure. Something snaps. He falls. Head injury. Done."

"What if someone's there? Other people?"

"Pick your time. Wait until he's alone. You're getting paid enough to be smart about it."

"Why do you want this kid dead anyway?"

"That's none of your business. Just do the job."

"Fine. But if this goes sideways, I was never there."

"Agreed. Now get out."

The recording stopped.

Silence in the room.

I felt tears but pushed them back. Not now. Later.

"That's Brian," I said. My voice shook. "That's him ordering my brother's murder."

"The other voice," The Elder said. "We need to identify him."

"Already working on it." Andres played the clip again. Slower. Analyzing the voice. "He has an accent. Southern maybe. Tennessee or Kentucky."

"Can you clean it up? Get a clearer version?"

"Give me an hour. I'll make it crystal clear."

Danny spoke quiet. "The guy's name is Marcus Webb. Ex military. Brian used him for heavy stuff. I don't know where he is now."

"Marcus Webb," Alex repeated. "I'll run it. See what comes up."

Cole was staring at the laptop. His jaw tight. Eyes dark.

I touched his arm. "You okay?"

"No. But I will be." He looked at Danny. "You have more recordings?"

"Dozens. Brian kept everything. Drug deals. Assaults. Bribes. All of it."

"Why?" Stacey asked. "Why record your own crimes?"

"Insurance. If anyone ever turned on him, he had dirt on them too. Mutually assured destruction." Danny rubbed his scar. "That's how he controlled people. Fear and evidence."

"How did you get away?" I asked. "If Brian controlled everyone, how did you leave?"

"I didn't. Not really. I've been hiding for months. Moving city to city. Using cash only. No phones. No trail." He looked at me. "But when I saw the news about you, I couldn't stay quiet anymore. Brian destroyed enough lives. It had to stop."

"You're taking a big risk coming here."

"I know. But what's the point of living if you're running forever?" He smiled sad. "At least this way, I do something right."

The Elder stood. "Danny Reeves. I recognize your name. You applied to join our pack three years ago. We denied you. Too much criminal history."

Danny nodded. "I remember. I was angry about it then. But you were right. I wasn't ready."

"And now?"

"Now I'm trying to be better. Trying to fix what I can." He looked at me. "Even if it's too late."

"It's not too late," I said. "You brought us evidence that can save me from a murder charge. That matters."

"So I get pack protection?"

I looked at The Elder. At Cole. Both nodded slightly.

"Provisional acceptance. You stay here. Follow our rules. Prove yourself over the next six months. If you do well, full pack membership." I kept my voice firm. "But you cause trouble, you threaten anyone, you're out. Clear?"

"Crystal. Thank you, Luna." Danny's eyes were wet. "You won't regret this."

"I better not."

Alex came back with his phone. "Marcus Webb. Found him. He's in San Diego. Working construction under a fake name. But it's him. Same guy."

"Send the info to David," Cole said. "He'll get it to the police."

"Already done."

My phone rang. David.

I answered. "Hello?"

"Lita. I have James's journal. I'm reading through it now. There's good stuff here. Really good. He documented every threat. Every encounter with Brian. Dates. Times. Witnesses."

"And we have audio now. Brian ordering the hit. On recording."

Silence on the other end. Then. "You have what?"

"Full audio confession. Brian ordering someone named Marcus Webb to kill James. Make it look like an accident."

"Where did you get this?"

"Someone who worked for Brian. He brought it to us. The recording is dated two weeks before James died."

"Lita. This changes everything. Everything." David's voice got excited. Professional excited. "I can take this to Collins today. Combined with the journal, this proves Brian killed James. You're in the clear."

Relief hit me so hard I almost cried. "You're sure?"

"Positive. You were Brian's victim, not his accomplice. The evidence proves it." He paused. "I'm coming to get the drive now. Don't let anyone touch it. Chain of custody matters."

"Okay. We'll be here."

"I'll be there in thirty minutes."

He hung up.

I looked at everyone. At the pack.

"We did it. We have proof. Brian killed James. The police will know. I'm clear."

Everyone erupted. Cheering. Hugging. Relief everywhere.

Cole pulled me close. Held tight. "You're safe. From this at least."

"From this," I agreed. "What's next?"

"Next we handle Derek and Sienna. Figure out if they helped Erica." He kissed my forehead. "But today, we celebrate this win."

"Yeah. Today we celebrate."

Danny sat alone in the corner. Watching the pack. Not part of it yet. But hopeful.

I walked over. "You saved me today. You know that?"

"Just did what was right."

"Most people don't. They stay quiet. Stay safe." I held out my hand. "Welcome to the pack, Danny. Provisional."

He shook it. His hand rough and scarred. "Thank you, Luna. I won't let you down."

"Good. Because we need all the help we can get."

My phone buzzed. Text from unknown number.

"Congratulations on the recording. Very smart. But you missed something. Check file nineteen on that drive. The one labeled 'Insurance Prime.' You're going to want to hear what Brian knew about your father. About the real reason your family fell apart. Sweet dreams, Luna."

I stared at the text.

What did Brian know about my father?

What didn't I know?