A Shattered Justice

By Carter Blake

In the heart of a city where justice teeters on the edge of a knife, "A Shattered Justice" unfolds—a gripping legal thriller that delves deep into the realms of corruption, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Follow Emily and Aaron, two formidable forces brought together by fate and bound by an unyielding commitment to dismantle a web of deceit that permeates the very foundation of their world.

Emily, a brilliant prosecutor whose faith in the legal system is on the brink of collapse, finds an unexpected ally in Aaron, a seasoned detective with a haunted past and an unquenchable thirst for justice. Together, they embark on a perilous journey, navigating through layers of corruption in a quest to restore balance to a system that has long forgotten the meaning of justice.

As they peel back the curtains on the city's power structures, the duo faces not just the external forces arrayed against them but also the internal tumult of their own doubts and fears. "A Shattered Justice" is a testament to the power of the human spirit, a tale of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond forged in the fires of adversity.

With every turn of the page, readers are drawn deeper into Emily and Aaron's world, where every victory is hard-won, and the price of justice can be unbearably high. But it's a world where hope shines eternal, and the fight for what's right is the only fight worth having.

Open "A Shattered Justice" and step into a story that will not only capture your imagination but will also reignite your belief in the triumph of the human spirit over the shadows of injustice. This is not just a book; it's a journey—one that promises to leave you both shattered and whole, questioning and yet satisfied. Are you ready to join the fight?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anastasia Publishing
• Release date: Mar 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224935383

Book preview

A Shattered Justice

A Legal Thriller of Corruption, Betrayal, and Redemption

Carter Blake

Copyright © 2024 by Carter Blake

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

1.The Haunting Past

2.The Tangled Web

3.Unlikely Allies

4.The Frame-Up

5.Secrets and Betrayals

6.Confronting Demons

7.The Gathering Storm

8.The Desperate Gambit

9.The Reckoning

10.A New Beginning

11.The Road Ahead

Chapter one

The Haunting Past

The rain pelted against the window of Aaron Sinclair’s dimly lit office, the rhythm a somber backdrop to his thoughts. He sat at his desk, nursing a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid a familiar companion in his moments of darkness. The haunting memories of a past case, one that had shattered his faith in the justice system, played out in his mind like a cruel, never-ending loop.

Aaron’s eyes drifted to the newspaper clipping pinned to the wall, the headline screaming, Serial Killer Walks Free because of Technicality. The article served as a constant reminder of his failure, a testament to the corruption that had allowed a monster to escape the clutches of justice. His gaze lingered on a framed photograph beside the article, a rare glimpse into his life beyond the confines of his work - a smiling image of himself with his sister, Laura, at her college graduation. The bittersweet memory only emphasized the toll his obsession had taken in his personal life.

A sudden knock at the door jolted Aaron from his reverie. He set the glass down and called out, his voice gruff, Come in.

The door creaked open, revealing a woman with tired eyes and a face etched with grief. She stepped into the office hesitantly, clutching a worn photograph in her hands. The scent of rain and the faint aroma of her perfume wafted into the room, mingling with the musty odor of old files and the lingering traces of whiskey.

Mr. Sinclair? she asked, her voice trembling.

Aaron stood up and gestured to the chair in front of his desk, the old leather creaking as he shifted his weight. Yes, that’s me. Please, have a seat, Mrs...?

Hutchins. Sarah Hutchins, the woman replied, sinking into the chair. She placed the photograph on the desk, her fingers tracing the image of a smiling young woman with bright eyes and a carefree smile. I’m here about my daughter, Olivia. She... she was my everything, Mr. Sinclair. After her father passed away, it was just the two of us, you know? I can’t... Her voice broke, and she took a shuddering breath. I can’t bear the thought of her killer walking free.

Aaron’s brow furrowed, empathy welling up within him. He had seen that look of desperation, that hunger for justice, countless times before. It was a look that haunted him, a constant reminder of the weight of his own failures.

Mrs. Hutchins, Aaron began, his voice gentle but firm, I understand your pain, but I’m not sure I’m the right person for this case. The police have far more resources than I do. If they couldn’t find anything...

Sarah shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. No, Mr. Sinclair. I’ve heard about you, and your reputation. They say you’re relentless, that you never give up until you uncover the truth. Please, she pleaded, her hands trembling as she clasped them together, please help me find my daughter’s killer. I... I don’t know how to go on without her, without knowing that justice has been served.

Aaron sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. He knew he should turn her away, knew that taking on this case would only dredge up the ghosts of his past. But there was something in Sarah’s eyes, a flicker of hope amidst the sorrow, that stirred a long-dormant sense of purpose within him.

Alright, Mrs. Hutchins, Aaron said, reaching for a pen and notepad. Tell me everything you know about Olivia’s case.

As Sarah recounted the details of her daughter’s murder, Aaron jotted down notes, his mind already whirring with possibilities. The brutal nature of the crime, the lack of evidence, the random targeting of the victim - it all felt familiar, like a twisted echo of the case that had destroyed him.

I’ll need access to the police reports, any evidence they’ve collected, Aaron said, looking up from his notes. And I’ll need to speak with anyone who might have information about Olivia’s last days.

Sarah nodded, a glimmer of relief in her eyes. Of course, anything you need. Thank you, Mr. Sinclair. Thank you for giving my daughter a chance at justice.

Aaron shook Sarah’s hand, a heavy sense of responsibility settling upon his shoulders. As he watched her leave, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this case would be the one to either redeem him or break him entirely.

Days turned into weeks as Aaron pored over the scant evidence, interviewing witnesses and chasing down leads. The deeper he delved, the more convinced he became that Olivia’s murder was connected to something far more sinister than a random act of violence.

Late one night, as Aaron sat hunched over his desk, surrounded by a sea of papers and empty takeout containers, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, frowning at the unknown number before answering.

Sinclair, he barked, his voice rough with exhaustion.

Silence greeted him on the other end, broken only by the faint sound of breathing and the distant hum of the city beyond the rain-streaked window.

Who is this? Aaron demanded, his grip tightening on the phone.

A click, and then the line went dead.

Aaron stared at the phone, a growing sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. In his line of work, anonymous calls were a good sign. He rubbed his eyes, the exhaustion seeping into his bones, and glanced at the clock. 3:17 AM. The witching hour, his father used to call it, when the veil between worlds was at its thinnest.

Pushing the unsettling thought from his mind, Aaron turned his attention back to the files spread out before him. A particular detail caught his eye, an insignificant connection that he had overlooked before. Two of Olivia’s friends had mentioned seeing her talking to a