a letter to brett

I found what Hollis was hiding. What he wanted to hide, to bury again to make sure it never came back out to bite him. When he asked for the files, I looked through once more. Only this time I looked through not because I was trying to find where to clear your name, I was looking for what he didn't want me to see. And with that in mind, it wasn't hard. It was actually fairly simple, once I knew what I was looking for, even for me. And the conclusion reached was that the man who set you up, the person who ruined your life was him. Jakob Hollis. He knew how to unbury you because he was the one who buried you in the first place.

I couldn't let that go unanswered. I couldn't let him go on, be commissioner, take all that power and never see retribution for it. Not for what he did to you. And I know that you're not going to agree with me. And I know you won't understand, and won't forgive me for it. I could try to explain it, try to give you reasons and arguments, but in the end, it's because I just couldn't let that go. It wasn't going to slide, not on my watch. Not when I could see it there, when I know you, and everything that it's done to you. I never gave a damn about anyone or anything, certainly never had anything like a sense of justice, but what happened to you is offensive to me. I think you're the only person in the world I actually believe in. And trust me, I didn't really want to, but you have a tendency to break down my own rules and everything else. Like I said, I could probably give you a lot of reasons, but at the end of the day, it's because I can't let what happened to you go unpunished. I know if you were asked, you wouldn't want me to do this. None of this is your fault. You wouldn't agree with or allow anything like what I've by now already done. You'd be adamantly against it. You're clear. This is all on me.

There wouldn't be enough evidence against him to take him down from here. Even with what I can gather from the files, they'd be little use in a case against him, and I'm positive that anything else would be impossible to dig up. All that's in the files are circumstantial at best, or that's what a lawyer will say and the case would be thrown out before it ever got to trial. If it even got that far. But I know what I saw. I know what he did. I know there are things between the files that only he would know, notes he wrote that confirm he had inside knowledge of the entire thing, that it was a set up and he was the one putting all the pieces in place. He always was a man who loved elaborate games. Well, he doesn't get to win this one. In the end, even if what he did to you can't ever be put right, if nothing will ever restore you to who you once were, he isn't going to chuckle about it when he's old and gray, running this city like a puppeteer.

He's going to die, knowing full well why it's happening. I swear to that, even if I know it won't mean the same thing to you that it does to me. I killed Commissioner Jakob Hollis, using poison I purchased in Chinatown on the 8th. Mr. Marshall witnessed said purchase, even if he was unaware of it's purpose. I acted alone and with intent. This is a confession, one I will not deny to the police. If anyone wonders where you were at the time of the incident, you were at dinner with Mr. Marshall. I know, I confirmed the reservations.

I'm sorry I left like I did. I promised I wouldn't anymore, but I imagine the only outcome here is you leaving me. We just had the conversation the other night about all of this, you made your stance very clear. Basically, I'm not going to make you have to do it. I'd find that unfair. I understand the consequences of my actions. The apartment was yours, you picked it out and set everything up, and the business is yours as well. You're more than capable of running it on your own, you don't require me. If you do hire Clayton, he'll take care of the girls well, none of them manipulated him so there's no conflict of interest. If you do not, I'm sure you'll be just fine either way.

I don't know what I'm doing from here, honestly. I don't have a plan. It's possible I'll turn myself in. Maybe I just want to see his empire burn for a while before I do. I'm not sure. I do know I'll miss you, even if I'm sure you're already telling the nearest wall with your fist how much of a lying bitch I am. Don't hurt yourself. It's been a while since you abused any walls, you should continue with that. Plus you never take that great care of your own wounds, so don't inflict any.

I'm aware you'll hate me for all of this, and I'm not going to ask you not to. I'm not going to beg, or try to manipulate you. I was doing what I thought felt right. And I know, my sense of right and wrong is skewed at best, but I did what I consider my best. And now the man who ruined your life no longer gets to sit back and enjoy his while ruining more. Apparently, some things are so important to you that you do everything you can, even if you know the cost. But you already know that. I'm just learning.

I'll miss you.