“You’re welcome. I was only doing my job.”
“I’ll see you, guys, later,” I said, hooking my arm around Paige and walking to her car. “So, are you going to tell me what happened and how you did it?” My brow arched.
“It’s probably best you don’t know.” A smirk crossed her beautiful lips. “The only thing that matters is that Elias and his men are no longer a threat, and you’re free to move on with your life.”
I didn’t say a word as I stared out the passenger window.
“Are you okay?” She glanced at me.
“Yeah. I’m just happy it’s over.”
The moment I stepped into the house, I poured myself a scotch and paced around the living room while Paige went upstairs to change. I was relieved all this bullshit was over, but at the same time, I wish it weren’t for my own selfish reasons. A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. When I answered it, Simon stood there with his hands tucked into his pants pockets.
“Hey. Come on in.”
“Thanks. How are you holding up?” He placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Good. I’m happy it’s over. Scotch?”
“Thanks, but I’m still on duty.”
“Simon, I thought I heard your voice,” Paige said, walking down the stairs.
“I just left the warehouse that was reduced to a pile of ash. The fire department said that some military-grade explosive was involved.” His brow arched.
“Wow. Really?” Paige smirked.
“And you’re sure Elias didn’t get out of there before the explosion?” Simon asked.
“I put a bullet in each leg and then one in his head. He was dead before the explosion.”
I stared at her with furrowed brows. She spoke as if it were just another day for her.
“The FBI has launched an investigation. Are you positive Sophie Long won’t say a word about your visit to the houseboat?”
“She’s already on her way to Canada. She has family there, and she’s starting a new life with her son and Elias’s fortune,” Paige said.
“Good.” Simon nodded. “I have to get to the station.” He headed toward the door, placed his hand on the handle, and turned to Paige.
“We could use someone like you on the force. Any chance you’re interested?”
“I don’t do cops.” Paige smiled.
“Didn’t think so,” Simon smirked, opening the door.
“Detective?”
“Yeah?”
Paige reached into her pocket and handed him a flash drive. “All of the names of the dirty cops and a few bad FBI agents who were on Elias’s payroll are on that. Before I killed him, he said that this goes higher up than we could imagine. I’m thinking maybe the mayor, governor, attorney general, who knows. But they need to be stopped.”
“Thanks for this, Paige. I’ll be in touch.” He walked out and shut the door.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” Paige said.
“Me too.” My lips forced a small smile. “But first, we need to go see my dad at the hospital and tell him it’s over. Then, I’ll take you to dinner.”
“It’s not a date, Hamilton,” she said, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator.