Chapter 112

Lillian

Four days ago...

I fidgeted with the hem of my sleeve as I waited for the officer to enter the office.

Oliver patted my shoulders." Relax, if this doesn't work out then we will fall back to plan B."

My head whipped around to look at him." Plan B of Zayden pleading guilty?"

My head hurts; these last few days, I've had sleepless nights trying to find missing pieces to help Zayden, coupled with the fact that I have to go to the hospital and spend at least three hours with Laura.

Oliver sighed." That's why it's a plan B, so chill. Innocent people always get justice."

I crooked a brow, a scoff escaping my lips." Oh really? Walter Swift was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Ray Twoler too, and then there's Kirk Bloodsworth. They all got sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes they didn't commit."

Oliver rolled his eyes." All three people you mentioned got exonerated and got the justice they deserved."

I turned my chair to face him properly." They got exonerated years later, Oliver! Many years later."

He suddenly chuckled." Honestly, I think you're overreacting. Zayden will be fine, you just have to have some faith."

I took a deep breath. A lot of wild thoughts had been running through my head lately, and it wasn't helping matters.

Just then, the door finally opened, and an officer came in. The same officer that Malo used in getting Zayden arrested. I was so grateful that it wasn't Bellick or our mission would have been impossible. He probably wouldn't even grant us an audience.

Officer Thane seems more approachable but a little too messy. He looks like the type that would accept a load of bribes, plus he owed me a favour, that's if he still remembers it.

He positioned himself behind the desk and began arranging a stack of papers on his disorganized desk.

Oliver and I waited patiently for him to finish before he finally cleared his throat.

" So, Mrs Kent. You asked to see me?" Thane asked, relaxing further into his seat.

I glanced at Oliver before speaking." Uhh..yes. It's concerning my husband's case."

He picked up a lollipop and unwrapped it." What about him ma'am?"

He raised his legs and placed his mud-stained boots on the desk right on top of the stack of files he just finished arranging a minute ago.

" I have a favour to ask."

" If I keep giving favours don't you think I'll run out of luck soon, hmm?"

Just as I thought, officers don't keep promises.

I sat upright, straightening my back." Please, at least hear me out first."

He crooked a brow and then nodded. I was about to speak when Oliver held out his hands and silenced me.

" How much did he pay you?" Oliver spoke, his demeanour changing.

My eyes widened, Oliver was being rash. He glanced at me through the corner of his eyes as I tapped his hand underneath the desk.

Officer Thane paused, removing the lollipop from his mouth.

" What did you just say?"

Oliver didn't even blink an eye." Let's cut the chase and go straight to the point. I'll double the amount Malo gave you to convict Zayden, all I need is a favour from you."

Thane chuckled." Malo supplied substantial evidence against Zayden and so he was convicted. The next time you blurt out such nonsense, you'll be out of my office."

I panicked, this was our only chance. We can't offer to lose it.

Oliver shrugged."I know how this circle works, and I'm not condemning it, neither am I condemning you. Now, are you willing to at least listen to what I have to say and see what you can get from it, or I leave this office now, and we both lose."

The officer scanned Oliver and me.

I could see it in his eyes.

Pure greed.

The office remained silent for a couple of minutes, with Thane rocking on his chair, staring at us like we were statues.

" No one gets hurt," Oliver added.

Thane continued rocking on his chair until he dropped his boots to the floor and stalked over to the window. Shutting the blinds, he moved over to the door and twisted the knob, locking it.

A huge sigh of relief escaped my lungs as I smiled at Oliver. This was going to be easier than I thought.

If I did the talking then I might have ruined it.

He returned to his chair and crashed on it." I'm listening."

Oliver started." Zayden is innocent of all charges laid on him by his father but we still don't have enough evidence to prove it. We are working on luring Malo to visit Zayden, and when he does, there's a fifty per cent chance that he might spill something that can be of use to us because, to him, Zayden already lost."

Thane rolls up his sleeves, placing his elbow on the desk." So what are you trying to say?"

" What I'm saying is that if things go according to plan, then Malo would contact you to probably take Zayden somewhere secluded, and what we want from you is to inform us of when that happens and what location he'll request beforehand." Oliver phrased

Thane rubbed his jaw." And if he doesn't request a visit?"

Oliver bit down on his lips." Then we might have to make him request a visit or make a distress call."

Thane nodded as if thinking deeply about what was just said." What's in it for me?"

Oliver dipped his hands in his pockets, bringing out a cheque note. Honestly, the amount of money we've spent on Zayden's case was enough to start up a factory.

From bribing police officers to journalists for articles that were taken down years ago, all just to find a solution. We were no better than those corrupt politicians but like they said, desperate times call for desperate measures.

" How much do you need?" Oliver crooked a brow. That was a very dangerous and risky question, this man could ask for all the money in the central bank.

A smile finally spread across his hairy face." Fifty million."

" Jesus Christ!" I exclaimed, my eyes as wide as saucers.

" What? You wanted a favour right?" Thane questioned raising a brow.

I looked over at Oliver my eyes screaming a big fat no.

" Alright then. You'll get the money once everything is successful."

" Don't I get at least half of it...you know, think of it as a boost."

Greedy animal!

Oliver scribbled on the cheque and handed the slip to him. He grinned, tucking the cheque in his pants.

" It's settled then." Thane stood to his feet, stretching his hand over for a handshake.

So, twenty-five million dollars just earned us a handshake, eh?

" Just to be clear, the moment Malo requests the visit, inform me of the location and time immediately. I have to install cameras just in case he confesses or spills something useful."

Thane nodded " But seriously if Zayden is innocent, what makes you think Malo is responsible?"

" We don't know who's responsible but there's only one way to find out. Since he's the one laying accusations then it only means he has substantial information as to how the murder unfolded. We can only hope that he slips details of it that can give us a lead."

Thane shook his head in agreement." I'll do my best to help."

" that being said, I might burrow some of your men. We need eyewitnesses if he eventually says something sensitive."

Thane hit his chest jokingly, he looked like a gorilla doing that.

" consider it done!" He saluted.

Crazy man! He's acting like this all because of twenty-five million dollars.

We left the precinct on a good note, and for the first time, I had assurance.

Things should work out well and it did. We were desperate and hoping for Malo to just spill even a tiny detail of what happened years ago, but instead, we got the whole story.

You see...Life is like a coconut.

Pfft...

Yeah, that doesn't make sense.