Marcus laughed, scooping his son up. «Absolutely, buddy. Let’s solve some mysteries.»
As they headed inside, Marcus allowed himself a moment of pure satisfaction. Carolyn Hunter had spent years building her empire of cruelty, convincing herself she was untouchable. She’d threatened his child. Terrorized vulnerable people. Corrupted systems meant to protect the innocent.
And Marcus Edwards, the quiet math teacher and former forensic accountant she’d never taken seriously, had dismantled everything she’d built. Not through violence or chaos, but through intelligence, planning, and the willingness to fight dirty when fighting clean wouldn’t work.
He’d become something darker to protect the light. And he’d do it again. Without hesitation. If anyone ever threatened his family.
Justice, Marcus had learned, wasn’t always found in courtrooms or law books. Sometimes, it was found in the calculated moves of a father who refused to let his son’s bravery be in vain. Sometimes, it was found in making sure that evil people faced consequences they thought they’d always escape.
Sometimes, justice looked like revenge. And Marcus was completely fine with that.
The puppy barked, Dustin laughed, and Christine smiled. Life went on. Normal and peaceful. Built on foundations that Marcus had fought to protect.
And in a prison cell across the city, Carolyn Hunter sat in her orange jumpsuit. Powerless and forgotten. Exactly where she deserved to be.