Chapter 7 - A Shadow in the Rain
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At 8:00 AM, rain began to fall over the city, turning the streets into slick black mirrors.
Delgado sat alone in the corner booth of a quiet diner near the docks, his eyes red-rimmed, trembling as he clutched a mug of black coffee. His phone had been ringing nonstop for two hours—his board, his wife, his lawyers.
The bell above the diner door chimed softly.
A figure in a dark wool coat sat down in the booth across from him.
Delgado looked up, gasping when he saw Lennox Aldrich.
"Lennox," Delgado stammered, looking around frantically. "Are you crazy? Paxton’s men are looking everywhere for you!"
"Paxton’s men haven't been paid since midnight," Lennox said calmly, signaling the waitress for water. "They aren't looking for me, Delgado. They're looking for exit strategies."
"What do you want from me?" Delgado whimpered, burying his face in his hands. "My life is ruined! The feds frozen my personal accounts!"
Lennox leaned forward, her voice dropping into a quiet, commanding frequency.
"Your accounts are frozen because your name is on three contracts Paxton forced you to sign," Lennox said. "In two hours, the FBI will breach your office. You have one choice, Delgado."
She placed a clean USB drive on the Formica table between them.
"Take this to the U.S. Attorney," she instructed. "Tell them Paxton forced you to sign under duress. Turn state's evidence before the capos do."
Delgado stared at the drive, then at the faint blue mark fading along Lennox’s cheekbone.
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"Why are you helping me?" Delgado asked softly.
"I'm not helping you," Lennox replied, standing up and pulling her collar high against the cold. "I'm just making sure Paxton sits alone in that courtroom."
