Stolen Honor Chapter 07
August set his phone down with a satisfied smile. He pictured the awards ceremony-the love of his life and his family gathered around him as he received the department’s highest honor.
What an incredible moment that would be.
As for Graham, he was just a dead man.
Denise and his parents might mourn him for a while, but no one grieved forever. Within a month, everyone would forget he had ever existed.
Graham had never been able to beat him while he was alive. What chance did he have now that he was dead? At least the loser had been useful for once before he died.
The private dining room door swung open.
A server wheeled in an enormous celebration cake. Department leaders and fellow officers filed in one after another, each wearing a congratulatory smile.
A moment later, Eddy and Faith Rodriguez entered with Lily, while Denise followed behind carrying Mason. The entire family had come.
The corners of August’s mouth lifted into a smug grin. He’d known it. Denise and his parents would never miss his awards ceremony.
Once again, he’d won.
As applause filled the room, the police chief solemnly picked up the medal, preparing to pin it to August’s chest.
The instant he opened the clasp, Denise suddenly rose to her feet.
“I have a statement to make. Three years ago, August didn’t fake his death to infiltrate a criminal organization.
“He disappeared because I was pregnant with his child. We were having an affair, and he wanted to escape the gossip. He spent those three years living comfortably in hiding.
“The evidence wasn’t his. Graham risked his life to uncover every piece of it. August stole the credit that belonged to Graham.”
Faith lunged forward, snatched the medal from the chief’s hands, and broke down in tears.
“I can testify to that! August lived in a villa outside the city with housekeepers waiting on him and a chauffeur wherever he went.
“He never infiltrated any criminal organization or risked his life. Every single piece of evidence was uncovered by my youngest son, Graham.
“After Graham was forced out of Major Crimes, he had no badge, no backup, no weapon. He went undercover completely alone. He almost died more than once…”
Faith broke down before she could finish.
If Graham hadn’t released those photos before he died, she never would have known how dangerous his
investigation had really been.
She’d always assumed solving cases was simple. Arrest the suspect, question them, and the evidence would
follow.
If she’d known Graham had risked his life for every piece of evidence, she never would have asked him to give the credit to August.
With trembling hands, Denise plugged a USB drive into the computer.
The monitor flickered to life. Every eye in the room turned toward the screen.
