Chapter 3

Sandra said, "Here's 50,000 dollars."

She tore the check free and waved it in front of my face like she was tossing a coin to a beggar.

"Take the money, sign the settlement agreement, and we'll all walk away as friends. In Southgate, it pays to have friends. You know that, right?"

Derek sneered from the sideline. "50 grand? He's not even worth 50 bucks. This guy was out there wishing harm on my kid!"

"Shut up."

Sandra cut him off with a single look, then turned the pressure back on me.

"Young man, 50,000 is more than half your annual salary, I'd bet. Know when to quit while you're ahead. Don't back yourself into a corner you can't get out of.

"Nod your head, and this money walks out the door with you. You can even pick up some decent eye drops on the way home."

The air in the room seemed to thicken. Every pair of eyes landed on me.

I didn't take the check. I just looked at her with barely concealed disgust. "Ms. Kessler, do you really believe that money can fix everything?"

If whatever was in that water gun turned out to be toxic, the rest of my life would be ruined. And she thought she could make it all go away with 50,000 dollars.

It would've been laughable if it weren't so insulting.

When I refused to settle, Sandra smiled. She wrote a new number on a fresh check, then leaned forward and tucked it into my shirt pocket with the same contemptuous ease.

"Don't get greedy. I've dealt with plenty of scam artists like you. If this actually goes to court, you won't see a dime. In fact, you'll end up paying us for defamation.

"That's 200 grand. It's also the last chance I'm giving you. Don't test me."

I didn't even look at it. I pulled the check from my pocket and tore it to pieces right in front of her face.

Sandra's smile froze solid. She shot to her feet so hard the table lurched with a bang.

"You ungrateful piece of work! Do you have any idea who you're dealing with? I could ruin your life without breaking a sweat.

"If you don't walk out that door and sign the settlement today, I guarantee you'll be run out of Southgate by tomorrow morning!"

I met her glare without flinching.

"Threats now? Officers, I hope you're getting all of this on tape. I'm not signing anything. I'm taking this as far as it goes.

"Your daughter drew blood in front of a street full of witnesses, and the evidence is right there on camera. You don't get to sweep that under the rug."

Two police officers stepped forward on either side. "Ms. Kessler, this kind of behavior constitutes serious obstruction. I'd advise you to watch what you say."

Sandra's jaw tightened. She shot me one last poisonous look.

Right then, a technician in a white lab coat walked in carrying a report. "We've completed the analysis on the liquid contents of the water gun.

"The composition is a 98% match with standard tap water. We can confirm that it's consistent with municipal water from a street-side tap."

Derek planted both hands on his hips the second the words left the technician's mouth. "You hear that? Tap water! Plain old tap water!

"You made up that whole story about my daughter, and you destroyed her reputation in front of hundreds of people.

"Honey, get our lawyers on the phone right now. I'm going to sue the life out of this delusional little punk!"

My mind went blank.

That wasn't possible. There had to be something wrong with that water.

"Are you sure about those results?"

Sandra let out a sharp, derisive laugh and pulled out her phone to make the call.

"What, now you're questioning the police department's own findings? I gave you your chance.

"You're the one who chose to throw it away. Don't blame me for what comes next."

But before she could dial, two officers closed in around Sandra and Derek. The couple froze.

"What are you doing? He's the one you should be arresting!"

The technician set the stack of printed results down on the table, then looked up, his expression flat and cold.

"The water gun did contain tap water. But our analysis also detected an additional substance present at dangerously elevated levels."