Chapter 34
“Watch them all. Not everyone is who they appear to be.”
The mysterious warning from “H.M” echoed in my mind as I stared at Palmer’s “Toxer,” Victor Chambers, whoid appeared in Caspians hospital room like a shark scenting blood.
Four days had passed since Rachel s bullet tore through Caspian’s shoulder, missing his aorta by less than an inch–a measurement that haunted my sleepless nights at his bedside.
“Mr. Palmer feels terrible about this unfortunate… misunderstanding.” Victor said with manufactured politeness, extending an envelope toward Caspian’s hospital bed. “He’s prepared to offer quite generous terms.”
“Misunderstanding My voice could have frozen vodka. “Palmer’s psychotic accomplice shot my client, and you call it a misunderstanding?”
“Ms. Miller acted entirely of her own accord, Victor replied smoothly. However, in the interest of putting this regrettable incident behind us quickly. He gestured to the envelope.
Caspian’s eyes flashed with anger, his faw tight. “Get out,” his voice was hoarse but firm. “Get the hell out of this room,
After Victor left, I sank into the chair beside Caspian’s bed.
My mind raced, connecting dots between Palmer, Rachel, and now Diana Wright
Something wasn t adding up.
The night before facing Palmer at his cabin, Diana had warned us of a trap, yet in the aftermath of the shooting, she’d been pushing Palmer’s settlement with suspicious intensity.
“You don’t have to stay here,” Caspian said, his eyes finding mine. “Falmer isn’t going to back off.”
I straightened my spine, smoothing wrinkles from my skirt. “Six years ago, I ran away. Not this time,”
“This proposal is unprecedented in its generosity,” Diana announced Monday morning to the gathered Morgan & Wright partners. The Palmer family clearly wishes to put this behind them.”
I studied the contract–five years, highest salary in the league, two million in settlement money. The catch: drop all charges against Rachel and Victoria, with me handling final negotiations alone.
Too prat.
Too convenient.
+ days ago,” I said, keeping my voice level, “Rachel Miller shot my client. Now Palmer thinks he can make that disappear with a check?”
Duna’s eyes met mine, something unreadable flickering in their depths. “This is business, Sage. You need to focus on what’s best for your client.” Later, Victor cornered me in the hallway.
“Rachel will be caught eventually,” he whispered, but do you really want a trial? The media will dig up everything… that lamp… those sealed juvenile records……. even why your mother never reported what happened,
My body went rigid, each word landing like a needle under my skin.
“You in th
threatening an alterbryt
The choice is yours.”
Im outlining reality, Victor smiled ilanly. The Palmer family can be formidable enemies or powerful allies. The s
Dursday afternoon, Amanda Morris Intercepted me outside the courthouse archives, clutching a file folder with white–knuckled hands.
ve ubowered something about Diana connection to this case, she whispered, “Shes been playing both sides
My stomach dropped Lxplain”
Diana warned you about the cabin trap, but she’s been meeting with Palmer siner Sornetimes opposing him, s
sometimes cooperating.”
Chapter
no matter who wins. When you escaped the mountain trap, she
Amanda slid a USB drive across the table. She’s positioning herself to come out on top no adjusted her strategy.”
That night, Blake confirmed the mounting suspicions: “I know an Fl agent who investigates sports corruption. He’d definitely want to see all this evidence about Palmer and Diana’s double game.
Friday morning, negotiations convened in Victory Center’s top–floor conference room
Palmer sat like a monarch, Victor at his right, Diana at his left.
Caspian insisted on attending despite his doctor’s objections, his arm in a sling making a stark visual reminder of what was at stake.
were offering a five–year contract at the league’s highest salary, plus two million in damages, Palmer stated. “In exchange, all allegations against my daughter and company are withdrawn, and any mention of Rachel Miller is stricken from the record.”
Diana turned to nie. “These are extremely reasonable terms, Ms. Winters. Her eyes held the same calculating look I’d seen when she’d warned me about “Choosing sides carefully.”
I slowly rose to my feet, connecting Amanda’s USA
USA to the projector.
The screen came to life with images of Diana’s contradictory actions–warning us about Palmer’s trap, then meeting with him after; her phone records showing calls to both Palmer and Rachel before the shooting
“What’s fascinating.” I said as color drained from both Diana and Palmer’s faces, “is how carefully someone can play both sides of a conflict.
Diana warned us about the cabin trap, yet continued working with Palmer after we escaped. She even spoke with Rachel hours before the shooting
Diana’s expression shifted from shock to cold fury. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Then explain why you called Rachel the day Caspian was shot,” I challenged,
The door opened to reveal two FBI agents.
“Jeffrey Palmer, Diana Wright,” the lead agent said. “We’d like to ask you some questions about your involvement with Rachel Miller and the shooting of Caspian Drake.”
“Your doctor explicitly said no stress.” I chided Caspian that afternoon back in his hospital room
nts walked in?
“I wasn’t going to let you face Palmer and Diana alone,” he replied, his voice soft but determined. “Besides, seeing their faces when those agents Worth it.”
was playing every angle, Caspian shook his head. “Warning us when it suited her, pushing Palmer’s agenda when that seemed safer.”
“So Diana was
“She was hedging her bets,” I said. “Making sure she’d land on her feet no matter who came out on top.”
Victoria was
Blake and holde arrived with updates: the FBI was launching a full investigation into Palmers operations and Diana’s role in everything. V already talking, hoping for leniency.
My phone vibrated with a text from an unknown number: This isn’t over, little sister. You think you’ve won?
Caspian saw the message and took my hand firmly in his. “She won’t hurt you again. This time, we face this together.”
1 squeezed back gently, six years of walls beginning to crack.
ur father.
was interrupted by a nurse rushing in. “Mr. Drake? There’s an urgent call at the nurses station. Something about your
Our moment was
Caspian’s face paled. “My father? That’s impossible. Hes been dead for five years.”
As he reached for his phone to check the strange claim, it exploded with notifications, Headlines flashed across the screen.
BREAKING: Sex Hcandal rocks NFL star Caspian Drake – Former high school victim speaks out about “The Bet
