Victoria Reed sat across from Hayes and Wallace in her small, coastal home. The room was sparse, filled only with the essentials. A threadbare rug covered the wooden floor, and a few modest paintings adorned the walls. The sound of the ocean filtered in through an open window, a rhythmic crashing of waves that seemed at odds with the tension in the room. For a moment, no one spoke.
Hayes studied Victoria carefully. Despite the calm exterior she projected, there was something guarded about her, something that made it clear she was constantly weighing every word, every move. The contrast between her and her brother, the larger-than-life Jonathan Reed, was stark.
"You've come a long way," Victoria finally said, her voice soft yet laced with an unspoken wariness. Her eyes locked on Hayes. "What makes you think I can help?"
Hayes leaned forward, choosing their words carefully. "We know you're not involved in your brother's business. That's clear. But you understand him in ways we can't. If there's anyone who can help us predict his next move or find a weakness, it's you."
Victoria's lips pressed into a thin line. She glanced out the window, watching the gulls circle over the distant cliffs. "Jonathan has always been... a force," she said slowly. "He's never been the type to do things halfway. When he decides on something, he goes all in, no matter who gets hurt."
Wallace, who had been silent up until now, chimed in. "And that's exactly what we're up against. He's hurting people. He's gotten away with it for too long, and now it's starting to spiral. More people are going to get caught in his web unless we stop him."
Victoria's gaze returned to them, her expression unreadable. "You think I don't know that?" she asked quietly. "I've watched Jonathan climb to the top, step on everyone who got in his way, and now he's untouchable. You can't imagine what it's like to see someone you love turn into a monster."
Hayes leaned back slightly, sensing they were nearing something deeper. "You still care about him," they said gently. "That's why we're here. You know better than anyone what he's capable of. We need your help to stop him—not just for us, but for you."
Victoria stood abruptly, pacing to the window and folding her arms across her chest. The wind blew softly through her hair as she stared out at the ocean, her back to them. "You don't understand," she murmured. "Jonathan's not just some corrupt businessman. He's built his empire on fear and loyalty. He has people in every corner of the city, people who would die for him. And if they find out I've talked to you..."
She trailed off, her voice cracking slightly. For the first time, Hayes saw the fear behind her calm exterior. Victoria was terrified—not just for herself, but for anyone who tried to stand in her brother's way.
Hayes stood up slowly and approached her, stopping just short of touching her shoulder. "We understand the risks," they said, their voice firm but compassionate. "But this is our last chance. We're not asking you to betray him—we're asking you to help prevent more people from getting hurt. If Jonathan's empire is built on fear, then fear can be its undoing."
Victoria turned to face them, her eyes filled with a mix of pain and resignation. "You really think you can stop him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"We have to try," Wallace said from the table, his voice steady. "And with your help, we might have a shot."
For a moment, Victoria remained silent, lost in thought. Then, with a deep sigh, she walked to a small cabinet near the corner of the room. She knelt down and unlocked it, retrieving a folder thick with papers. As she returned to the table, her hands trembled slightly as she handed it to Hayes.
"These are financial records," she said quietly. "Old transactions, offshore accounts, things Jonathan thought he'd buried. I don't know if it's enough to bring him down, but it's the only thing I have."
Hayes opened the folder, their eyes scanning the pages. Inside were detailed records of shell companies, offshore bank accounts, and a web of financial dealings that spanned years. It wasn't the final piece of the puzzle, but it was a start—a trail they could follow.
"Thank you," Hayes said, their voice filled with genuine gratitude. "This could make all the difference."
Victoria nodded, but her expression remained grim. "Be careful," she warned, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "You don't know what Jonathan's capable of. He won't hesitate to destroy anyone who threatens him."
"We understand the risks," Wallace said, standing as well. "But we'll be careful."
Hayes tucked the folder under their arm, feeling the weight of what they had just been given. It wasn't just evidence—it was a lifeline, one that could lead to the unraveling of Jonathan Reed's empire. But it was also a ticking clock. The moment Reed found out that his sister had handed over this information, the stakes would rise dramatically.
As they stepped outside, the cool evening air greeted them, the scent of saltwater hanging heavy in the breeze. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the village. Hayes and Wallace exchanged a glance, both of them knowing that they were entering dangerous territory.
"Do you think this is enough to take him down?" Wallace asked as they walked toward the car, the folder clutched tightly in Hayes' hands.
"It's a start," Hayes replied, their eyes scanning the horizon. "But we'll need more than this to bring him to his knees."
Wallace nodded, determination etched on his face. "We'll get it. We're closer than we've ever been."
They got into the car, the engine humming to life as they pulled away from the quaint coastal home. The road stretched ahead of them, winding through the cliffs and back toward the city, where the storm clouds were already gathering. Inside the car, the air felt thick with tension. The pieces were starting to fall into place, but they both knew that the hardest part was yet to come.
As they drove in silence, Hayes' mind raced. Victoria's warning echoed in their head—Jonathan Reed was not a man who forgave easily. The moment he discovered what his sister had done, he would come after them with everything he had. And if there was one thing Hayes had learned in their years on the force, it was that people like Reed never went down without a fight.
They had the financial records. They had a lead. But what they didn't have was time. Reed would be watching, waiting for the slightest misstep, and when that moment came, he would strike.
The city skyline came into view as they neared the precinct, the towering buildings shrouded in the darkening sky. Hayes felt the weight of the folder on their lap, a reminder of the delicate balance they were walking. One wrong move, and everything they had worked for could come crashing down.
But for now, they had momentum. And that, at least, was something.