AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Then, the cold water enveloped her, and everything went black.
CHAPTER ONE
The morning sunlight poured through the blinds, casting a warm glow across Special Agent Morgan Cross's living room. She sat on her couch, her legs tucked under her, cradling a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. Her Pitbull, Skunk, was curled up beside her, his head resting on her thigh.
As she sipped her coffee, Morgan's thoughts drifted back to her time in prison. The cold concrete walls, the iron bars that had caged her for ten years – all for a crime she didn't commit. It was a past that still haunted her, even now that she was back in the FBI. Now, after everything, she didn't have anyone left to trust.
Her eyes wandered to the photograph on the mantel. It showed her and her former partner, Derik Greene, beaming at the camera after they'd solved a high-profile case together. She used to think she could trust him completely, but now...
Morgan shuddered at the memory. It had been a week since Derik admitted he knew more about who had framed her than he'd originally let on. He'd tried reaching out to her several times since then, but she'd ignored each call and text message. Unless he was ready to tell her the whole truth, she couldn't bear to face him—there was still too much she didn’t understand, but one thing was clear: Derik knew more than he'd told her, and that was enough for her to not trust him.
Of course, there were things Derik clearly didn't know, too. Morgan had been holding her breath, waiting for him to come to her and tell her he knew about Darren La Roux—that she'd accidentally killed him in self-defense. But Derik hadn't brought it up, nor had he used it to blackmail her. If Derik did know about Darren, he wasn’t mentioning it.
So maybe there was a chance he didn’t know everything. Maybe he was just a pawn too.
"Skunk, buddy," she said softly, scratching the dog behind his ears, "I don't know what to do about Derik. I thought we were partners, friends even. Maybe more than that. But how can I trust someone who's keeping secrets like that?"
Skunk lifted his head, his brown eyes meeting hers with an understanding look. He let out a soft whine, as if agreeing with her dilemma. Morgan sometimes felt like a crazy person for talking to her dog, but these days, he was all she had. Skunk listened to her. He was the only innocent one in her world, as far as she was concerned.
Morgan sighed and took another sip of her coffee, letting the warmth spread through her. She knew she needed answers, but getting them from Derik wouldn't be easy.Maybe I need to keep him close,she thought,to find out what he knows and who's behind all this.
Just then, Morgan's phone buzzed on the coffee table. The screen displayed "AD Mueller" in bold letters. She hesitated for a split second before answering the call. Mueller was another person she had little interest in speaking to--she didn't trust the man for a second. He had never believed in her innocence, and since getting back from prison, their relationship had been tenuous at best. He'd even suspended her, only to rescind it, claiming that he'd realized she was a good agent and that they'd needed her. It seemed Mueller was making some effort, but still, Morgan didn't trust him as far as she could see him.
"This is Cross," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Cross, it's Mueller. Are you busy?"
Morgan took a breath. No, she was just trying to relax, and he'd ruined it. She said, "No, sir. What's going on?"
"A body's been found at a sea park just outside of the city," Mueller informed her tersely. "I'm getting reports of a deliberate drowning, but the details are still coming in. I need you on this case."
Morgan's heart raced, but she couldn't let her unease show. "Sir, I told you last week that I can't work with Derik anymore," she reminded him.
Mueller's tone was firm and unyielding. "Too bad, Cross. Derik's your partner, and he's already on his way to the scene. Whatever drama you have between you two--you're gonna have to figure it out."
Morgan gripped the phone tighter, her knuckles turning white. "Sir, I can't take this case," Morgan said, her voice firm but laced with frustration. "I refuse to work with Derik."
There was a brief pause on the line before Mueller's tone softened slightly. "Listen, Morgan, kids found the body. Can you imagine the trauma they're going through right now? This is bigger than your personal feelings about Derik. This guy had the gall to kill and leave someone in a public place, where kids had to see it—I need my best agents on this. I don't have time to assign you a new partner right now."
Morgan stared out the window, watching as a group of children outside the house across the street. If what Mueller said was true, then some children out there were almost certainly traumatized by whatever it was they saw.
With a sigh, she glanced down at Skunk, who seemed to be picking up on her internal struggle.
Her mind raced as she weighed her options. It was true that she needed to keep the FBI close if she wanted any chance at finding out who framed her. And if Derik knew something, then maybe it was best if she played nice with him to get the information out.
"Fine," she conceded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll take the case."
"Good," Mueller replied, relief evident in his tone. "Derik is already en route to the scene. I expect you both to work together professionally and get this case solved. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," Morgan said, her jaw clenched as she fought to maintain her composure. She hung up the phone and let out a slow breath, trying to quell the rising anger within her. She set her coffee cup down on the table and rubbed her temples for a moment. Skunk, sensing her distress, nuzzled his head against her leg.
She patted him gently before grabbing her jacket and heading out the door.
CHAPTER TWO
The sun blazed hot and relentless as Morgan pulled up to the entrance of Orca World, allowing herself a moment to take in the scene. The sprawling park loomed ahead, its colorful façade contrasting sharply with the grim reality of what lay within. Pleasant hues of blue and white with a cartoon orcas made it look family friendly and fun. Despite the years Morgan had spent investigating crime scenes and witnessing humanity's darkest underbelly, places like this still turned her stomach. The thought of intelligent sea creatures confined to tiny tanks for human entertainment was sickening.
She stepped out of her car and immediately felt the oppressive heat envelop her. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she walked toward the entrance, past the caution tape and heavy police presence. It was unsettling to see guests still being ushered out of the park, their expressions a mix of confusion and fear. Families clung to each other as they navigated the chaotic scene, and Morgan couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the traumatized children who had witnessed something no child should ever see.
