Chapter 10 - Calvin Shaw’s Choice
Mateo did not move.
Neither did Elena.
Shaw reached the top step with both hands visible.
His service weapon remained holstered.
“I came alone,” he said.
Mateo looked past him. “You said Wade followed us.”
“He did. Lost him near the feed store.”
Elena’s voice trembled with anger. “You were behind my bakery.”
Shaw shut his eyes.
“So you saw the picture.”
“Did you burn it?”
“No.”
“You were there.”
“I was trying to stop it.”
Mateo laughed. “Convenient.”
Shaw took out his phone and tossed it across the floor.
“Video. Check the last file.”
Mateo opened it.
Night footage.
Shaw’s dashboard camera.
Wade’s pickup entering the alley behind the bakery.
Shaw arriving seconds later.
An argument.
Then Wade shoving Shaw against the patrol car.
The audio was weak, but one sentence was clear.
“You owe me, Calvin.”
Mateo looked up.
Shaw said, “My father worked for Earl. When Dad died, Wade inherited every dirty promise he ever made.”
“And you kept taking money.”
“Yes.”
Elena stared at him like she had been slapped.
Shaw’s voice cracked. “At first I told myself I was protecting people. Wade would say, ‘Ignore this complaint and nobody gets hurt.’ Then it became documents. Then foreclosures. Then threats.”
“Why not go to the state?” Mateo asked.
“Because Judge Vale signs the warrants. Pike handles the paper. Half the county board owes Mercer something.”
Mateo held up the copied bank records. “Not anymore.”
Shaw looked at them.
His face changed.
“You found Rafael’s copies.”
Before Mateo could answer, a motorcycle engine roared outside.
Then another.
Then three more.
Shaw went pale.
“They found us.”
The church doors slammed open below.
Wade’s voice echoed through the nave.
“Elena!”
The old woman flinched.
Wade laughed.
“I know you’re here.”
Shaw drew his weapon.
Mateo grabbed his wrist.
“No shooting unless you have no choice.”
Shaw stared at him. “You think he came to talk?”
Heavy boots hit the stairs.
Mateo looked at the roof hatch.
Then at the bell rope hanging beside them.
An idea formed.
“Elena,” he said, “when I tell you, ring the bell.”
May you like
Wade’s head appeared at the top of the staircase.
And he was holding a gun.
