Stolen Honor Chapter 08
Scene after wen of Graham’s undercover investigation played a sens the reas
One video showed him after the syndicate suspected his identity. They locked bin inside a flooded holding cell for three days and three nights. His wounds festered in the filthy water while rats and ses crawled over his
Burning, with a fever so high he could barely stay conncions, he still pointed the hidden cames on his body toward himself and whispered,
“If you find my body, you’ll find the evidence with it. Don’t mourn me. As long as these criminals are brought to Justice, my death will have been worth it.”
Another clip showed him secretly gathering evidence before the syndicate caught him. They threw him from the fourth floor, and his shoulder shattered on impact.
Even as he dragged himself through the brush, he kept recording,
“If I survive, I’ll personally deliver this evidence to the department. But if I don’t, please use what I’ve gathered to bring them to justice.”
There were many more videos like those.
When the final video ended, silence filled the room.
One by one, people removed their hats. Some wiped away tears. Others raised solemn salutes. Each honored the man they now recognized as the true hero in their own way.
August’s scream shattered the silence,
“Chief Parker, don’t listen to them! They’re only saying this because Graham’s dead and they want him remembered as a hero!
“I’m the real hero! Graham was the traitor! Give me my medal!”
He lunged toward the medal in the chief’s hands.
Several of Graham’s former colleagues stepped forward at once and pinned August to the floor. It was the last thing they could do for Graham.
Chief Cassidy Parker took back the medal, his face dark with anger.
“The evidence is conclusive. I’ll recommend that every commendation awarded to August Rodriguez be revoked. And he’ll be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
August stared blankly at the cold faces surrounding him. The shock proved too much, and he collapsed
unconscious.
I sat by the window as a news alert appeared on my phone.
August Rodriguez had been arrested on charges of filing false criminal accusations.
As for me, the department had posthumously awarded me its highest commendation and recognized me as an officer who gave his life in the line of duty.
I tightened my grip on the phone.
When they prepared my remains for burial, trained professionals would examine what was left of my body. There was no way they’d be fooled for long.
My fake death wouldn’t stay a secret.
But I’d already accomplished what I set out to do. There was no reason to keep hiding anymore.
I headed straight for police headquarters and turned myself in to the department’s leadership.
“Three years ago, Denise Richmond and August Rodriguez faked their deaths so they could be together without anyone standing in their way.
“Watching them gave me an idea. So I used the same trick against them.
“The situation left me with no other choice. If I hadn’t faked my own death, my family never would’ve come forward to clear my name.
“I know I broke procedure. I only ask that the department understand why I did it.”
