“Find out.”
Wilson looked surprised.
“You want us knocking on doors?”
“No.”
“I will.”
She gathered her folder.
“You rest.”
He frowned.
Tessa said:
“Listen to her.”
Wilson muttered:
“Everybody’s a doctor now.”
While Lexi went door to door, reporter Precious Austin began digging elsewhere.
She had seen the arrest video.
Then found Wilson’s complaint had been filed before Darwin’s arrest.
That timing bothered her.
Why arrest the son before reviewing allegations against the officer?
She requested Campbell’s disciplinary history.
Three complaints surfaced.
Excessive force.
Improper detention.
False characterization of resistance.
All closed as unfounded.
Same reviewer.
Chief Morgan Dash.
Precious searched personnel announcements.
Community newsletters.
Old academy photos.
Then found one sentence.
Congratulations to Officer Blake Campbell, nephew of Sergeant Morgan Dash, on graduating from the academy.
Precious sat back.
Family.
That did not prove corruption.
But it justified more questions.
She called Lexi.
“I found something.”
They met at a coffee shop.
Precious spread documents across the table.
Lexi read.
“Three complaints.”
“All closed.”
“By his uncle.”
“Yes.”
Lexi looked up.
“That’s not good.”
“No.”
Precious slid another folder across.
“Something else.”
Property records.
Crestline Partners.
Maple Ridge acquisitions.
Development projections.
And Maggie Travis listed through a local investment entity.
Lexi read slowly.
“How much?”
“If the final parcels sell and rezoning passes?”
Precious pointed.
“Potential six figures.”
Lexi stared.
“The original caller.”
“Yes.”
“Profits if the Harbisons sell.”
“Yes.”
“And Wilson refused.”
“Twice in recorded HOA minutes.”
Lexi looked toward the window.
“So the call may have had motive.”
“Exactly.”
That evening, Lexi went to the Harbison house.
She expected relief.
Instead, she found paramedics.
Wilson had collapsed in the living room.
Chest pain.
Sweating.
Shortness of breath.
The ambulance transported him.
Darwin was released on bail hours later and went directly to the hospital.
He found his mother in the waiting room.
Her hands shook.
“Minor cardiac event,” she whispered.
“Stress.”
Darwin closed his eyes.
All the restraint he had carried began cracking.
He sat beside Wilson later.
Monitors beeped.
His father looked smaller beneath the hospital blanket.
Darwin whispered:
“This happened because of me.”
Wilson opened his eyes.
“No.”
“Dad.”
“No.”
His voice was weak but firm.
“You standing up for us did not cause this.”
Darwin looked away.