Page 124 of Forever Dead

“If Malone’s is still operating at five, that video goes to the FBI.”

Connor lowered his voice. “You don’t get to set deadlines on me.”

“I just did.”

“Closing a legitimate business takes cause. There’s procedure.”

“Then find cause.”

Connor gripped the phone harder. “I’m not manufacturing something.”

“I never asked you to.”

“You wanted me to get his liquor license pulled,” Connor said.

“Today, I want his doors shut. We can worry about the license afterward.”

“That doesn't make you the licensing board.”

Morimer laughed softly. “You’re wasting time, Sheriff.”

Connor crossed to the window. Beyond the glass, the station parking lot sat almost empty.

“What happens if I refuse?”

“You’ve already asked me that once.”

“The video won’t say what you think it says.”

“It shows you handing me six thousand dollars.”

“For information,” Connor said.

“And when the FBI asks why a county sheriff paid cash to Walton Morimer without documenting it?”

Connor said nothing.

Morimer continued, “Maybe they believe every word. Maybe they don’t. Either way, Selena gets to see it.”

“Leave her out of this.”

“She’s already in it. She knows you better than most.”

Connor shut his eyes.

“Five o’clock,” Morimer said. “After that, I stop being patient.”

The call ended.

Connor lowered the phone and stood without moving. Ray Cutler's remark came back to him. Look at yourself in the mirror. Ray knew exactly where to press. He could call Meg Calloway. Tell her everything before Morimer did. Explain the six thousand, the information, the threat. Let the FBI tear through his actions and decide whether he had crossed a line.

Maybe that was the only clean choice left.

But the video could be stripped of context. His badge could be suspended while an inquiry ran. Two women were dead, possibly killed by the same person, and Connor was leading the investigation.

Then there was Malone.

Morimer had already promised to send men after the owner if Connor did not cooperate. An innocent man could end up crippled because Connor decided to make a principled stand at precisely the wrong moment.