Page 98 of Choosing Stella

“The warning changed,” she said.

“You saw something?”

“His badge. The door. The secure room.”

“You triggered the alert.”

“Exactly like we planned.”

I wanted to put both hands on her and check every inch for damage. I stopped myself.

“Can I touch you?”

“Yes.”

I slid one arm around her waist.

Stella leaned into me, and I took enough of her weight to steady her without closing her in.

Exchange security arrived first, followed quickly by police.

I called Locke while officers secured the room.

He answered immediately.

“Tell me you have it.”

“I have all of it,” he said. “The recording is preserved.”

“Get it to Dempsey through counsel.”

“It’s already moving.”

I ended the call and stayed beside Stella while statements began.

The live recording gave police a confession in Volkov’s own voice. They locked down his office, phones, and the Exchange security systems. The capture gear and pool-issued communications unit from the apartment attack were already part of the case, and his admission about Bellacorte’s trafficking operation gave investigators another criminal enterprise to pursue without Stella or me.

Dempsey found us near the edge of the ballroom after the first round of statements.

He looked at Stella, then at me.

“We’re going to need both of you again.”

“I assumed we would.”

He faced Stella.

“But based on the recording and what happened here tonight, you’re no longer our focus in Bellacorte’s homicide.”

Stella released a long breath.

“Thank you.”

“It isn’t a favor.”

“I know.”

One corner of Dempsey’s mouth twitched.