Isla spread the evidence across her own kitchen table two nights later, the financial records on one side, Renner's ledger on the other, and a growing stack of her own notes connecting the two. Mercer sat across from her, exhaustion pulling at the edges of his focus, while Tamsin leaned against the door frame with her arms crossed.
"This is stronger than anything I've assembled in two years," Isla said, tapping the financial pages. "But strong evidence and a successful council vote aren't the same thing. Hale has allies on that council who will fight to bury this the moment it's presented."
"How many allies," Mercer asked.
"At minimum, two who owe him directly. Possibly a third who fears him too much to vote against his interests even with proof in front of her." Isla rubbed her temples
