The Heart Collector (Under Editing)

Chapter Sixteen: Past

Fare passed Sheila another box of tissues. She had been crying for ten minutes. Fare was not sure how Novus had not lost his patience. She had lost hers five minutes ago and every second that ticked by her fuse shortened. Novus must have saw that she was about to explode because he jumped in before she could.

"Sheila," He put a hand on her shoulder, "How long have we worked together?"

She hiccupped, "Two years."

"Two years. That means you have worked with me long enough to trust me, right?"

She nodded while blowing her nose.

"Then let me help you. I need to know what's going on."

Sheila took several calming breaths, "I'm being blackmailed."

Novus pulled over a desk chair and sat down, "Blackmailed? With what?"

Sheila stole a glance at Fare then looked down. Fare furrowed her brows at the action then she had a realization.

"You have a record." Fare stated.

"What?" Novus looked at Sheila then at Fare, "That's not possible. You have to go through an intense background check before you're even considered to work here."

"She's right." Sheila had stopped crying but tears still threatened to fall.

Fare stood next to her, "What do they have on you?"

"I just wanted a new life. I was a drug runner for the Kingpins when I was thirteen. By sixteen I had graduated to weaponry."

"How did you get out?" Novus asked.

"I was picked up during one of the raids on their storehouses. I was arrested and given a deal. If I became an informant, they would help me get a new life once the gang was disbanded. I helped the Truthfalls for three under my wish was finally able to be granted. The only catch was that I had to stay under the Truthfalls gaze. That's why I became your secretary."

"How does the blackmail fit into this?" Fare asked.

"About a month ago, I received an anonymous email with an attached article about the arrests of the Kingpins. The subject was 'Do as you're asked'. I deleted it in a panic then a day later another one showed up, but this time it threatened to release my information and destroy my new life. If my past got out, I would be dead. I had no choice. I had to do what they said."

"What did they ask you to do?" Novus leaned back in the chair and folded his arms over his chest.

"At first, it was just keeping them updated on certain cases and delete any emails that they didn't what you or other Truthfalls to see. Recently it was..." She trailed off.

"They asked you to murder the coroner." Fare finished.

Sheila nodded, "But I couldn't do it. I swear I didn't. When I told them that, they sent me for a file in the Ninth Division and the next thing I knew you were there, and he was dead."

Fare turned to Novus, "I think they were wanting to frame her for murder."

Novus nodded in agreement and Sheila paled.

"Do you have any idea on who's blackmailing you?" He asked.

"I have no idea. I thought that it was someone from the Kingpins at first, but then this article came out." She reached into her pocket and handed a folded piece of paper to Novus.

He unfolded and read, "'Kingpins Disbanded? Gang Leader Colt Pierce Found Dead'."

"That doesn't mean that a member couldn't be behind it." Fare pointed out.