The Million-Dollar Heart

Micah scrutinized each document that Percival had brought in. It was all there: the irrefutable evidence that exonerated Vivienne, Fiona's confession to setting her up, and Calista's damning testimony on how she had stolen Vivienne's fingerprints and plotted a murder in the OR.

Without a doubt, Vivienne was innocent.

With an indifferent curl of his slightly chapped lips, Micah returned the papers to Percival. "Good job," he said, the understatement hanging between them like a silent applause.

Percival locked eyes with Micah, his mentor at the Vanguard Agency, second only to Karen in authority. A crooked smile formed on his lips. "I think so too. I did do a damn good job!"

Their gaze held for a heavy moment, neither man breaking the silence.

The air grew thick with tension.

Leopold, Thomas, and Soren, who was standing off to the side, all watched Micah intently. They knew Micah had been obstructing their every move, sidelining the Vanguard Agency, and keeping everyone out of the loop everyone except Soren, whom he had left in the dark about the true purpose of their mission.

Those who made it into the Vanguard Agency were no fools; Micah's actions were purposeful. But the question that hung over them was why he targeted Vivienne and Percival. Was it a personal vendetta, or were there strings being pulled from behind the scenes?

After what seemed an eternity, Micah finally broke into a grin. "Well, the higher-ups have spoken. Vivienne is free to go."

He paused before adding, "But let's be clear, she might not be so lucky next time. If she's tangled up with CK, I won't look the other way, not even for you."

Percival chuckled. "There won't be a next time. If Vivienne ever breaks the law, you won't need to get involved. I'll bring her in myself, Micah."

How he would 'bring her in' was another matter entirely.

Micah's eyes narrowed, his voice chilling. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

In the past, Percival would have addressed him as 'boss,' but now, not even that courtesy was extended. The kid had grown up, out of his control.

Adjusting his goggles, Percival did not linger. Instead, he waved to his brothers-in-arms. "Wrap it up. Micah's buying dinner tonight."

of the special squad, Percival's word was law. The team responded enthusiastically, though a few still looked to Micah for confirmation. After a moment of

everyone knew the Vanguard Agency of Rivenwood was under new

leave for headquarters, while Soren

did not like Vivienne, he would never treat her as a criminal without just

he could not back down even if

bit his lip, unsure

stronger than before; his injuries healed. If he were to

seconds of silence, Soren led his squad out, pausing only to say to

snapped a

to say, "Now you remember who's your captain, after that earlier outburst, telling me

special squad gone, Vivienne and Percival

was still puzzled. How had Percival become the deputy

about that, she asked the question out

speak freely among themselves. "Percival went over a few heads and reported the capture of Belle directly to the top brass. It was against protocol, but someone big vouched

grasped a

Vivienne shared a knowing glance and a smile but said

"Yeah, who was it?

been too busy celebrating Percival's promotion to wonder about the benefactor. Now, thanks to

any further promotion would be an

be promoted, other than making some astonishing achievements, he would have to wait for Percival to be transferred to

had been promoted to deputy director while his

driving Leopold so angry he could barely keep driving. The mystery of the benefactor had just added another layer of intrigue to their already

had reached her limit. She slapped the back of the driver's seat and

fingers in the pie, for sure. But the real movers and shakers were

managed to get the news

became even more evident

Sky,