MARION

“Boss, they’ve arrested Mark, and he confessed. He had an accomplice,” Stephen said on the line, his voice tight.

I stepped out of Demetria’s room, closing the door softly behind me. “...And who is it?” I asked, my tone low, controlled.

A pause. Then Stephen answered, “Paula, Boss.”

“What the hell? Is this true?” I snapped, the words harsher than I meant.

“Yeah,” he said, quiet but steady. “From Mark’s own mouth. He confessed.”

I swallowed, anger and ...