CHAPTER 4
THIS IS DAVENPORT
"Hey, Seth. It's Roman. I just got the list of people from the Mayor who'll be at the meeting on Monday. We're meeting in the Mayoral conference room at 9am." Roman leaned back in his chair and continued leaving a voice mail. "The Mayor, DA Cole, Chief of Police Malenko, Finance Director Roode, City Councilman L. A. Knight, SVU Captain Rey Mysterio, SVU Investigators Eddie Kingston and Jay Lethal, CPS Director Jade Cargill. It looks like a stacked deck, but I think we can find a workable solution. But I think we need Regal and Sandow there as well."
He looked up at the knock on his open door and waved Zelina into his office. "Let me know what time works for you over the next couple of days, and the three of us will go over this list and our strategy. And I'll let Regal and Sandow know we need them there for at least part of the meeting." He hung up the phone, surprised to see that Zelina had shut the door behind her.
"Sit down, Zelina," Roman offered. "Want some coffee?"
"No, gracias." Zelina took a deep breath. "I need to talk to you about being reassigned." She held up a hand. "Not because I can't do the job. I can. Not because I don't want to do the job. Because I do."
Roman nodded. "And I'm appreciative of your work. You've done an excellent job especially considering the circumstances that put you in this position."
"Thank you." Zelina took a deep breath. "But I can't continue doing the job…given possible circumstances that could arise in the future." She saw Roman's confused expression and smiled. "I'm pregnant, Roman."
"Preg…does Black know about this?" Roman shook his head in embarrassment as Zelina began giggling. "Sorry. That was a stupid question." He widely smiled and stood. "Congratulations, Zelina." Holding out his arms, he chuckled as Zelina stood and hugged him in return.
"What type of reassignment are you looking for?" Roman asked as they sat back down.
"Something off the street," Zelina explained. "There are too many…unpredictabilities there."
"Agreed," Roman nodded, drumming his fingers on his desk. "In fact, I think I have the perfect reassignment for you."
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Mox glanced at the display on his phone. Smiling, he quickly answered the call. "Hello, darlin'. Heading for Court?"
"Yeah, just wanted to hear your voice." Alexa sighed, leaning against the wall of the lobby of the Columbus courthouse. "I'm not looking forward to seeing any of them…but I want to get this trust fund matter settled once and for all."
"And it will get settled," Mox assured her in a gentle voice. "Today is just a formality. They plead guilty. They agree to pay back what they've stolen plus whatever else the judge orders. Done and done."
"I promise when I get back, we're deciding everything about the wedding," Alexa promised.
Mox laughed. "Good. Because I need to make reservations for that trip to Japan."
Alexa spotted Damien Sandow and nodded at him. "Thank you for agreeing to go there for our honeymoon. But I gotta go now. I love you, Jon."
"I love you, Alexa. Call me when it's done."
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Cena threw his partner a sympathetic look when Ziggler grabbed the last cinnamon roll from the pastry cart and sat down at the conference table like he owned it. Ziggler further aggravated Styles when he waved a hand at a box sitting at the end of the table. "You guys wanna go with us to deliver that?"
Cena placed a warning hand on Styles' shoulder as he silently urged his partner to sit down. "What is it?" he calmly asked as Styles threw himself into his chair with all the petulance of a toddler denied another cookie.
"Leah Moxley's effects," Gail quietly spoke as she shot her partner a warning look. Surprisingly, Ziggler flushed and settled down. "They've been released so we're taking them to her son."
Styles snorted. "Good luck with that," he muttered.
"Mr. Moxley wasn't interested in his father's belongings although we did leave them with him," Cena explained. "I don't imagine he'll want his mother's belongings." He paused, then continued, "He didn't attend her funeral."
"Cold, man." Ziggler mockingly shook his head. "Real cold."
Styles shrugged. "He's made it no secret that he didn't have any good feelings towards either Jack or Leah Moxley."
Cena raised a hand. "We've found out that after Jack Moxley's death, his widow appeared at the bank with a notarized Financial Power of Attorney authorizing her to take possession of all funds and assets held by the bank in case of her husband's death or inability to manage those funds himself. She also had a copy of the death certificate. She transferred all the funds from his account to hers. A few days later, all of her money was transferred from the bank to a prepaid credit card and not the one you have listed in her belongings. That card hasn't been used or found."
"And we've determined that the notarized Financial Power of Attorney was phony," Styles added. "The signature of the Notary who witnessed the document doesn't exist, and the seal on the document is a very good fake." He glanced at Cena who barely nodded. "We've notified the Feds of possible irregularities, and both the FBI and Treasury are investigating."
Gail exchanged a speculative look with her partner. "The prepaid card found in Leah's wallet was used to rent the car she was driving and the hotel room she'd booked. That card still has over five thousand on it. How much was transferred to the other prepaid card?"
"Just under seven thousand."
Ziggler whistled. "That's a nice chunk of cash for the not-so-grieving son."
"Assuming Jon Moxley has possession of the first prepaid card," Cena pointed out.
"Well, he's going to get this one," Ziggler grinned. He popped the last of the cinnamon roll into his mouth. "So, you wanna come with us or not?"
"Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world," Styles drawled.
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Nikki burst into the conference room, startling all three men sitting at the table. "Boss, Cena and Styles are here with a couple of other cops…and a box."
Mox swore under his breath and stood. "Thanks, Nikki. Wait here."
"Oh, hell, no. I'm tired of this crap," Kendrick muttered as soon as Mox left the room. He and Ryder followed Mox to the lobby.
Nikki pulled out her cell phone and found the number she was looking for in her contacts list. Pressing the call button, she anxiously glanced out the open doorway.
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"What now?" Mox demanded as he stomped into the lobby. "We're busy working here."
"Mr. Moxley, I'm Detective Gail Kim and this is…"
"I remember both of you." Mox snapped.
Cena saw the open grin on Styles' face and inwardly sighed as Kendrick and Ryder walked to stand in silent support of Mox.
"Your mother's effects have been released, and we're returning them to you," Gail indicated the box sitting on the chair.
"I suppose I have to accept it," Mox grunted. "Fine. You've delivered it. Now get out."
"We also have some questions for you," Ziggler spoke up. "So, if you'll come with us."
Cena shot a look at Ziggler. "You didn't mention that," he quietly spoke.
"Didn't think we needed your permission to do our job," Ziggler shot back.
Styles lost the grin and stepped closer to his partner. "Think again," he growled.
They were interrupted by the sound of Cena's cell phone ringing. He pulled it from his pocket and felt the beginning of a headache. "Enough!" he snapped when Styles and Ziggler began arguing. Then he raised the phone to his ear. "Good morning, Mr. Regal."
Confused, Mox felt Nikki's hand gently touch his arm. He glanced down at her, then briefly smiled at her silent nod.
"Detective Cena, why are you, your partner and two other law enforcement officers at my client's place of business?" Regal demanded.
"Unfortunately, there's been a breakdown of communication," Cena admitted. "We're assisting two defectives from Des Moines in returning the effects of Leah Moxley to her son." He ignored the growl from Mox. "However, the Des Moines detectives wish to question Mr. Moxley."
"You do remember that I specifically stated my client was not to be questioned outside of my presence?"
Cena decided he was not going to take the fall for the visiting detectives. "I just found out about this development less than a minute ago."
"I see. May I use your phone to speak with my client?"
"Of course." Cena held out his phone to Mox. "Mr. Regal wants to talk with you."
"So much for interdepartmental cooperation," Ziggler snorted.
"Dolph, that's enough," Gail quietly warned.
"William?"
"Go with them but answer nothing until I get there," Regal ordered.
"Got it."
"Are the detectives from Des Moines the same ones who were at the Courthouse?"
"Yep."
"Let me speak again with Detective Cena."
Mox handed the phone back to Cena then turned to the others. "I'm going with them. Regal will meet me there." He hesitated. "Thanks…all of you."
"No problem," Kendrick glared at the detectives.
"Detective, please put me on speaker," Regal requested.
Cena punched a button and held out his phone. "You're on speaker, Mr. Regal."
"Detectives, my name is William Regal. I am Mr. Moxley's attorney. He will answer no questions without my approval and only in my presence. I will meet you at Detective Cena's precinct and speak with you there. Any attempt to question him prior to my arrival will be considered a violation of his Constitutional rights…and there will be consequences."
Styles grinned again when Regal disconnected the call. Neither of the Des Moines detectives looked happy with this development.
Cena openly sighed when he pocketed his cell phone. "You'll meet us at the precinct, Mr. Moxley?" When Mox curtly nodded, he waved towards the door. "After you," he told Gail.
Styles watched as Cena herded the Des Moines detectives out of the building. Then he smiled at Nikki as he followed. "I hope this hasn't upset Mitch too much, ma'am."
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Roman frowned as he got two messages on his cell phone practically at the same time. "Excuse me, gentlemen," he glanced at Black and Jericho.
'Mr. Reigns Des Moines detectives apparently tried an end run about the locals to question Mr. Moxley. Ms. Cross-Rollins called me and I've put them on notice. I'm meeting them at Cena's precinct now.'
'Uncle Roman! The horrid detectives from Des Moines wanted to take Uncle Mox away but Nikki called his lawyer. And he put a stop to it. But Uncle Mox has gone to talk with them with the lawyer. They left some sort of box and that can't be good! Nikki's so mad that she let me text you about it. Am I a bad big brother if I curse them?'
"Son of a…" Roman snarled. Then he replied.
'William thanks for the heads up. This has to be about Leah. Keep me informed.'
'Mitch as long as Kevin doesn't hear you, curse away.'
Roman tossed his phone onto his desk. "The Des Moines cops showed up at Mox's place. Probably with Leah's effects. Then they went to question him. Regal's on his way to deal with that." He looked at Jericho. "Those detectives were Gail Kim and Dolph Ziggler. Find out everything about them when we're done here."
Jericho silently nodded.
"Will this affect the MDM Foundation?" Black quietly asked.
"Not if I can help it," Roman promised. Then he took a deep breath. "Now, I'd like your opinions on Zelina's reassignment. This is what I propose…"
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Alexa decided to ignore the furious glare sent in her direction by her mother and sister as they entered the courtroom.
As they sat down, Sandow leaned closer and quietly spoke. "Since they've agreed to the negotiated conditions, this shouldn't take long." He briefly smiled. "I'm sure Mr. Hardy wants to conclude this as quickly as possible."
"All rise. Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Christopher Daniels presiding."
Everyone rose to their feet as Judge Daniels briskly walked to his seat. "Be seated everyone." He opened the tablet in front of him. "We are here in the matter of the Bliss Trust Fund and to resolve the illegal transactions perpetrated by Madeline Bliss and Jacqueline Bliss Parke. I have the signed affidavits by Mrs. Bliss and Mrs. Parke acknowledging their fraud against one Alexandra Bliss along with agreed upon schedule of repayments. Mr. Hardy, do your clients have anything they wish to say."
"No, Your Honor," Matt Hardy quickly answered.
"Very well, in accordance with the agreement, Mrs. Bliss and Mrs. Parke will hand over a certified check for 25% of the total amount defrauded plus interest. The remaining 75% will be transferred to the account of Ms. Alexandra Bliss' choosing as scheduled over the next two years. Failure to do so will result in the arrest of Mrs. Bliss and Mrs. Parke on the original charges."
Daniels glared at the two women sitting next to Hardy. "The Court is appalled at this deliberate fraud both perpetrated in the past and the attempted future fraud. I will state here and now for the record that had this agreement not been reached, I would've had no problem adjudicating this in Court." When both women glanced away from him, he continued, "In addition, both Mrs. Bliss and Mrs. Parke will be on probation pending the final conclusion of this case. The terms of this probation have been provided to your attorney. Do either of you have any questions about them?"
"I do," Madeline spoke up. "What if financial circumstances beyond our control prevent us from making these payments?"
"The information I've received from my investigators and confirmed by your financial records are that you both are very savvy about your money," Daniels sternly answered. "Keep being savvy. The Court will take a dim view of any non-payments which would be a violation of your probation."
"But…" Madeline was stopped by Hardy's whispered order.
"Thank you for that clarification, Your Honor," Hardy added.
"Finally, both Mrs. Parke and Mrs. Bliss will perform 2000 hours of community service within the next 18 months," Daniels continued. "My clerk will provide a monthly schedule to them via email with a copy to their attorney, Mr. Matt Hardy. Both Mrs. Bliss and Mrs. Parke will provide a valid email address before leaving this Courtroom. Failure to perform this community service will be considered a violation of your probation. Reasonable consideration for ill health or family emergencies will be granted provided proof of such is provided to the Court in a timely fashion. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Hardy nodded.
"Mr. Hardy, do either of your clients have any questions or any statements to make?"
Hardy stood. "Only that they regret their actions as they felt they were acting in the best interests of Alexandra Bliss, and were unaware their actions could be considered illegal."
Daniels gave Hardy silent props for getting all that out without either laughing or glaring at his clients. "Well, now they know," he replied. "Mr. Sandow, does Ms. Bliss have any questions or comments?"
Sandow glanced at Alexa who shook her head. "No, Your Honor."
"The bailiff will now provide copies of the Court's orders to both parties. Mr. Hardy will now present Mr. Sandow with the certified check. Mr. Sandow, please confirm all is in order," Daniels ordered.
Sandow accepted the file with Daniels' orders and quickly reviewed it. Then he opened the envelope Hardy handed to him and looked at the check. He handed it to Alexa with a nod. "All seems in order, Your Honor."
"Very well," Daniels nodded in return. "In conclusion, this Court will retain jurisdiction over this matter until it is finally concluded. I will also arrange for another judge to take over jurisdiction should I be unable to do so for any reason."
"May we know the name of that judge?" Hardy asked.
"You may not. Court is adjourned."
Fifteen minutes later, Alexa had scanned the certified check into her phone and received a confirmation of the deposit into her account. She now understood how Mox had felt when he'd received the money from the city. So much money…the student loan burden could now be eliminated…
"All settled?" Sandow quietly asked.
Alexa looked up with a slight nod. "Just…a lot of take in."
Sandow sympathetically nodded. "If we hurry, we can catch the last flight back to Davenport. It'll be late when we get there, so if you'd rather fly back tomorrow…"
"No, let's go home," Alexa decided.
Settled in the cab heading to the airport, she tried calling Mox but it went straight to voice mail. "Everything's done. It's settled. We're catching the last available flight back. Call me when you can. I love you."
Sitting next to her, Sandow turned his head and smiled out the window.
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Malenko came upon Cena and Styles facing off against two other people while the man he knew as Jon Moxley stood leaning against the wall watching with equal amounts of amusement and impatience.
"Is there a problem?" Malenko quietly asked as he joined his detectives.
"Chief of Police Dean Malenko, this is Detective Gail Kim and Detective Dolph Ziggler from the Des Moines PD," Cena formally spoke. "They're here to question Mr. Moxley regarding the murder of his mother, Leah Moxley, which occurred in Des Moines."
Malenko was impressed that Styles managed to roll his eyes and glare at Ziggler at the same time. "I see. And you'll all standing in the hallway because…?
"Because of them!" Ziggler snapped, actually pointing at Styles.
"Mr. Moxley's attorney is on his way. We have been advised to not question Mr. Moxley until Mr. Regal arrives." Cena gave both the Des Moines detectives a cold glare. "Styles and I were going to put Mr. Moxley in the interrogation room, but they prefer we all stand out here while they attempt to engage Mr. Moxley."
"You see, in Des Moines…"
Malenko raised a hand to silence Ziggler. "I don't give a damn what you do is Des Moines, Detective. This is Davenport. And in my department, procedures are followed. Visiting law enforcement officials are granted certain courtesies but will not violate those procedures or citizens' rights. Is that understood?"
"Of course, Chief Malenko," Gail smoothly answered. "We intended no such violation. Our conversation was simply to put Mr. Moxley at ease."
Styles snorted in derision.
"Detective Cena, please escort our visitors to the break room where they will wait until Mr. Regal arrives and speaks with his client. Then return to wait for Mr. Regal," Malenko ordered. "Mr. Moxley, if you'll accompany Detective Styles to the interrogation room? He'll stand guard at the door." He pointedly glared at the Des Moines detectives. "You'll be notified when Mr. Regal arrives."
"Thank you, sir," Gail politely nodded. She nudged her partner who grumbled under his breath but followed Cena down the hall.
"This way," Styles motioned to Mox.
Mox nodded to Malenko as he followed the detective.
Malenko pulled out his cell phone as he walked towards the stairs and contacted his administrative assistant. "Get me the Chief of Police for the Des Moines PD," he ordered. "Tell him I've got a problem with two of his detectives." He began climbing the stairs to the third floor where Baron Corbin's office was located. He wanted his Captain of Internal Affairs to put a similar call through to his counterpart in the Des Moines PD.
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"Incoming," Styles muttered.
Cena turned to look at the doorway where Regal was stalking towards them. "Mr. Regal. Your client is in the interrogation room. No one has questioned him."
Regal nodded in satisfaction. "And the Des Moines detectives?"
"Waiting in the break room," Styles answered with no small amount of satisfaction.
"I'll consult with my client before allowing them to question him," Regal decided.
Cena silently nodded and opened the door to the interrogation room, closing it softly behind Regal.
Mox looked up with relief when Regal entered the interrogation room. "Thanks for coming."
"My pleasure," William assured him with a smile. "Detective Cena said no one had questioned you?"
"Nah. The Des Moines cops tried to talk some chit-chat with me, but the Chief of Police put a stop to it," Mox answered.
"Indeed?" Regal looked interested.
Mox nodded. "Read them the riot act about how things are done in his department. Sent 'em off to the break room to cool their heels."
Regal slowly nodded. "Malenko is an honest cop. Since taking over, he's made a lot of changes for the betterment." He shrugged. "Well, if you're ready, let's get this over with." When Mox nodded again, he rose and walked to the door. Opening it, he found Styles leaning against the wall. "We're ready," he announced.
Styles nodded. "Cena's gone to them," he grunted as he followed Regal back into the interrogation room. He busied himself setting up the audio and visual recorders stepping back when Cena led the other detectives into the room.
"Finally," Ziggler muttered.
"Detectives Kim and Ziggler, we meet again," Regal coldly greeted them. "You do recall during our meeting in the Des Moines Courthouse that all communications to Mr. Moxley were go to through me. In fact, I recall giving you both my card with my contact information."
"Yes, sir," Gail politely answered. "We apologize for any errors in judgement."
'You'll be very sorry once I've made my formal complaint to your Chief of Police,' Regal silently thought. "We're ready to proceed."
As senior officer, Cena activated the recording devices and recited the date, time, and identities of those in the room. Then he nodded to Gail.
"Mr. Moxley, as you know, we've returned your mother's effects as they've been released by our department," Gail began. "You also have our condolences on the death of your mother, one Leah Moxley."
"How kind of you," Regal responded when Mox remained silent.
"At the time you were originally notified of her murder, you'd just completed testifying in the trial of Michael Cole," Gail continued. "I think all of us who were present at that time understood the stress you were under. So, we'd like to question you again now that you've had some time to deal with that stress."
"Okay," Mox nodded.
"For the record…again…you are the son of Jack and Leah Moxley. Both of whom were recently murdered?"
"Yes."
"You stated you'd been estranged from them for several years. Can you elaborate on that?" Gail patiently asked.
"Leah was a drug addict, and Jack was a gambler, drunkard and hustler. She walked out on her family when I was seven because Jack couldn't bring in enough money to support both his habits and hers. And supporting his habits took priority. Jack took off ahead of some bookies wanting their money when I was fifteen. I didn't lay eyes on her or him until a few months ago," Mox calmly recited.
"Why'd they come back?" Ziggler asked, leaning forward.
"Claimed they'd reconnected, got clean, found God…whatever," Mox shrugged. "Wanted to make things right with me or some such bullshit."
"You didn't believe them?" Gail asked.
"Him no. Her?" Mox shrugged. "Wouldn't have been the first time she fell for what he was selling."
"And what would that be?" Ziggler pressed.
"Mr. Moxley recently received a large amount of settlement money from the City of Davenport as a result of being framed for murder and incarcerated for five years," Regal explained.
"How much?"
"Let's call it several million and leave it at that," Regal warned.
Ziggler whistled. "Yeah, that'd bring 'em out of the woodwork."
"Asshole," Styles mouthed at Cena.
"When was the last time you saw or talked with Leah Moxley?" Gail calmly asked.
"Last time I saw her was after Jack's funeral," Mox explained. "I drove her home from the cemetery and made sure she had some food in the apartment."
"Why? I mean, you apparently had a bad relationship with her."
Mox glared at Ziggler. "Because I felt sorry for her. More fool me."
"That was the last time you talked to her?"
Mox nodded. "She called me the day before she disappeared and left a voice mail. I didn't call her back."
"What was the message?" Gail asked.
Mox shrugged. "She wanted to talk about things in the past. Stuff I had no interest in listening to or talking about. I didn't care about whatever lame-ass excuses she was going to give me about abandoning me in favor of getting high."
"So, she calls wanting to talk with you, then disappears the next day." Ziggler leaned back in his chair. "And you didn't think that was suspicious? Did you even report her missing?"
"I didn't know she was missing until Cena and Styles showed up with Jack's effects," Mox heatedly explained. "They tried to leave them with her and found out she'd taken off. Again."
"But you still didn't file a missing persons report?" Ziggler repeated.
"No."
"There was no reason since the police already knew she was missing," Regal pointed out, studying his fingernails. "And her disappearance was hardly 'suspicious' given the nature of her husband's murder." He glanced at Cena. "I believe outstanding gambling debts is the working theory into Jack Moxley's death?"
Cena silently nodded in response.
Ziggler shrugged with a slight smile. "Just seems like filing a missing persons report is something a concerned son would do, Counselor."
"Asshole," Styles again mouthed to Cena.
"The press card Leah had in her possession was fake," Gail continued. "You had no idea she was representing herself as a member of the Press?"
"No."
"And you've no knowledge of where they got their money?"
"Only what they told me. Jack was doing some marketing stuff, and she was doing remote office work," Mox answered.
"I understand you are the only surviving child of Jack and Leah Moxley," Gail carefully spoke. "I believe Mr. Regal mentioned in Des Moines you had a younger sister who died as an infant."
Mox curtly nodded.
"She died before Mr. Moxley was two years old," Regal added. "Mr. Moxley had no knowledge of her until after Jack Moxley's death."
"Leah told you?" Ziggler quickly asked.
"No," Mox hissed.
"Then how did you find out?" Ziggler demanded.
Regal wearily sighed. "It pains me to waste time in stating the obvious, but I suppose it must be done for the record. As I stated, Mr. Moxley had come into a considerable amount of money from the City of Davenport. His parents, estranged for years, suddenly showed up wanting a reconciliation." He smiled somewhat in pity at the Des Moines detectives. "It doesn't take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out why. And a simple search of the Internet and public records provided evidence of the Moxleys' run-ins with law enforcement during this period of estrangement." His blue eyes hardened. "And since Moxley isn't a common name, a simple public records search provided proof of Mr. Moxley's deceased sister."
"We also found a small notebook in Leah's possession." Gail produced a small notebook from her jacket pocket and read, 'Jon hated Marie. He hit her and abused her when we weren't looking. Before we could stop him. He killed her but no one would believe it.'
Shocked, Mox stared at Gail with wide blue eyes. "No…"
"What nonsense is this?" Regal angrily demanded.
Gail waved the notebook in front of her. "We've confirmed it's in Leah Moxley's handwriting."
"No…" Mox muttered. "I wouldn't…couldn't…my baby sister…"
"We're done," Regal firmly announced, getting to his feet. "My client will be answering no further questions. Any accusations by a drug addict who abandoned her family cannot be given any credence!"
"Why would you own mother say that, Moxley?" Ziggler roughly demanded. "She knew about it! Is that why she disappeared?"
"Come on. We're leaving." Regal pulled Mox to his feet and shook him. "JONATHAN!"
Mox blinked in surprise, then wiped tears from his eyes. "I…I…no…"
Regal glared at Cena who nodded. "I'll escort you both out, sir."
Silently, Regal pulled Mox out with him and followed Cena.
"Well, that got a reaction," Ziggler grinned, snapping his gum.
"I told you that baby's death was from natural causes," Styles snarled. "I checked it myself!"
Ziggler shrugged. "And we'll do our own investigation into that. Just to confirm, of course. You know, with eyes that aren't so…friendly to an accused baby killer."
Gail placed her card on the table. "I'll expect an electronic copy of this interrogation emailed to me by tomorrow, Detective Styles. We'll see our way out."
Styles made sure the recording devices were turned off before he loudly expressed his blunt opinion of the two detectives from Des Moines.
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"Sip this."
Mox barely noticed the bottle of water Regal had shoved into his hands.
"Yes…we're done here. Horrible…the ones from Des Moines…accused…"
Staring out the windshield in front of him, Mox idly wondered who Regal was talking with.
"Not at all…drive his vehicle…of course…"
"I couldn't have done it," Mox mumbled. "She was a baby."
"Good…be waiting."
"Monsters hit babies…monsters…"
"Jonathan, drink the water," Regal firmly ordered. He closely watched while Mox slowly unscrewed the cap then began drinking.
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Jericho and Black looked at each other is surprise when they heard Roman roaring from his office. Both men sprang to their feet and ran down the hallway.
"I SWEAR I WILL RIP THEM LIMB FROM LIMB!"
"Who?" Jericho quickly asked. "Helmsley's people? What happened?"
"Those two bitches from the Des Moines PD!" Roman seethed. "They accused Mox of murdering Marie!"
"WHAT?!" Jericho actually shrieked.
"Did they arrest him?" Black calmly asked.
Roman shook his head. "Regal got him out of there. Sounds like he's in shock. I called Naomi and told her and Zelina to get to him."
Black nodded. "They'll take care of him and bring him home."
Roman clenched and unclenched his hands. "Find out about these two detectives. Gail Kim and Dolph Ziggler."
Jericho silently nodded.
"Information only. I want to know who we're dealing with." Roman ran a hand through his hair. "Eliminating them would only increase suspicion on Mox and the Bloodline. So, they're safe from that."
"If there's anything dirty, we'll find it," Jericho promised.
"And dirty cops don't do well in prison," Black coldly added.
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The next thing Mox knew, the door beside him opened; and he heard a soft voice.
"Mox? Look at me."
Mox turned his head and blinked several times. "Naomi?"
Naomi gently smiled. "Come on. I'm gonna drive you home. Give your keys to Zelina, and she'll follow us."
Mox numbly stared at Zelina for several seconds, then reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys.
"Come on," Naomi softly urged. "I'm parked right here." She waited until Mox was walking somewhat steadily to her car with Zelina pacing him, then nodded to Regal. "Thank you for calling."
"If he asks, I'm going by his business to pick up the box they left there and explain the situation to his em…his friends there." Regal's blue eyes followed Mox's walk to the nearby SUV. "I'll let him know in a few days what needs to be done with the contents. Make sure he understands if anyone from either PD contact him, he's to call me immediately."
Naomi nodded and shut the door.
Regal waited until both women were pulling out of the parking lot before he also left. He saw the two Des Moines detectives standing in the parking lot, watching them. "Filthy buggers," he muttered.
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"I was a monster in prison, Naomi. Did you know that?"
Naomi glanced at Mox's slumped figure in the passenger seat. "You did what you had to do in order to survive," she answered. "That doesn't make you a monster."
"Monsters hurt babies…maybe I was a monster as a kid."
"No, you were not!" Naomi was tempted to swat Mox on the side of his head but kept both hands on the wheel. "You were never a monster!"
"How do you know that?" Mox asked, slowly turning to look at her.
"Because if you were a monster, you wouldn't be tearing yourself up about this bullshit," Naomi growled. "A monster wouldn't give a damn."
"You make it sound so simple," Mox said after a full minute of silence.
"That's because it is that simple, Mox."