All the Money in the World

Chapter 17

"Don't tell Happy," Alec warned Jax as the two spoke in hushed tones in the Teller-Morrow office.

Jax closed his eyes and nodded. "Tara's there," he suddenly realized. "I'll call her and see what she can find out."

Alec nodded, already exhausted so early in the morning, by the previous day and early phone calls from the ATF. They had taken Katie to Saint Thomas sometime around sun rise after her complaints of intense pain where she'd been hit. Now he had to keep Happy contrived while still trying to handle the many fires Stahl had set.

A few minutes later Jax reappeared with a blank expression that did not help Alec's mood. "Anything?"

"Tara knows she's there. She's working on getting in to see her."

"You look concerned," Alec eyed him. "What else did she say?"

"Nothing," Jax huffed. "I look concerned cause I am concerned."

Alec stood silently and left the office, moving toward his car, but stopped about halfway there. "Lift your shirt."

"What?" Jax drew his head back. "Why?"

"Do it," Alec said forcefully. Jax nodded and did, figuring he was checking for a gun, only dropping it again when Alec nodded. "Thank you."

—

From the lot, Alec headed to Saint Thomas to see his client. The stress was good in a way, it helped him keep more professional and less emotional when handling Katie's fate. When he saw her though there was no way to hide his reaction. 

"Katie," he sighed. "Look at you."

"I know," she whimpered. "Broken nose, hairline fracture in my cheekbone too."

"Pain?"

"Lots," she said sadly. "You see Tara?"

"No, was she in?"

"Yeah," Katie smiled slightly. "Locals are providing security while I'm here, ATF can't spare them or some bullshit. They let her right in practically."

Alec smiled at that. "Good."

"So give it to me," she said. "The bad and the worse news."

"Heather was lying to you," Alec sat beside her bed. "She did have sex with some clients, they have solid proof, and I'm not thinking playing dumb is a defense that'll get you off."

"That fucking cunt," Katie hissed. "Did they arrest her backstabbing ass?"

"They did, I think she plead out and told them everything."

The color drained from Katie's face. "Everything? Like Barrowman everything?"

"No," he said quickly. "Everything about what they know she's guilty of. I think she's smart enough to know adding that doesn't help her since she was involved."

"Good," Katie huffed. "So I'm fucked?"

Alec's face turned down and he nodded. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

His use of that term of endearment made Katie cry. It was rare that he did but when it came out it always brought her to tears.

"How long?"

"Three to six," Alec said. "We're gonna work some community angles, maintaining your innocence, and see if we can't make something happen for you, though."

"Years?" She asked him, dumbfounded.

"Yes, years," he hung his head. "I'm sorry."

There was a knock at the door seconds before Tara opened the door slowly. "May I?"