Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 94220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
For the first time since this chat began, I can appreciate that she’s not trying to make my life difficult. She has her own series of obstacles and politics to navigate.
Sucks, but I get it.
“Zane, I know you can only see this system from your perspective, but do you know how many people come in here with theories about how a loved one died? I’ve had people accuse their parents, siblings, the neighbor, the guy who works at the deli… Sometimes they don’t even have a suspect, only leads they think are relevant from five years ago. You’d think with how long I’ve been doing this work, I would’ve known better than to follow your leads back when you first came into my office, but you know what? Maybe I have the same biases as other people. Maybe I thought it’d be like a movie where we cracked the case and I brought some relief to a guy who’d gone through a horrible tragedy.”
“Because you felt sorry for me.”
She hesitates before responding. “I sympathized with you, and I wanted to believe you were right. So remember that I’m the one who felt betrayed by what went down. I went out on a limb for you once already. I’m not making that mistake again.”
I imagine it’d sting less if she wasn’t right.
“As for you and Mr. Anderson,” she says, “if you are boyfriends, I hope it’s for the right reasons and not—”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I practically bark out.
Her eyes widen and her head jerks back. “I think you know what I meant. I hope you actually have feelings for him and aren’t trying to use being near him to play amateur sleuth.”
“I care about him. A lot.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear that, Zane. I think we’ve discussed everything we needed to, unless you have any questions.”
“No, you’ve been perfectly clear.” I push to my feet. “Thanks for the heads-up.” I can’t help my sarcastic remark as I start for the door, but I’m seething. And not just because of my panic earlier, but because even with a body on her hands, Roth doesn’t buy my story.
Even worse, I hate that I understand why.
As I reach the door, Roth says, “Oh, and, Zane.”
I stop and glance over my shoulder.
“A lot will come out in the next few days about Jason Kilbourne’s death. I hope you can focus on your new relationship and not get hung up on the details.”
“Meaning?”
“I don’t think it would be a good time to let your imagination get carried away.”
“Thanks for the hot tip,” I spit out as I grab the door handle and pull.
Locked.
Fuck. So much for my grand exit.
“You know I have to escort you out of here, right?” She pushes to her feet.
“Yeah. I remember.”
Although clearly, in my fury, I forgot.
25
LEIF
“As the media reported,” Detective Roth begins—
Zane asked me if I would stay at his place through her press conference the morning after we went to the police station, so we sit in bed with the omelets I fixed for breakfast.
Detective Roth stands at a podium with several uniformed officers and people in suits as she addresses the crowd of reporters. “…a body, later identified as Jason Kilbourne, was found yesterday around seven thirty a.m. on a property approximately five miles from the Wyachet Dam. When our team arrived on the scene, we discovered a body submerged in a creek with ropes and cinder blocks attached, clearly a deliberate attempt to conceal the body. That said, what was a missing-persons case has become a homicide investigation. Some of the inquiries I’ve received recently have pertained to who will oversee the case. After several internal meetings, it was agreed that homicide lieutenant Malcom Berkley and I will collaborate from this point forward. As some of you already know, I have experience in the homicide unit, and with our expertise, we hope our joint efforts will help us find justice for Jason Kilbourne and his family.”
“It’s all such bullshit,” Zane snaps at the TV.
He’s been pissed since talking to Roth. There’s been so much shit for him to process, I can’t imagine what’s going on in his head.
He fucking thought his brother’s body had been found. And though he was relieved that wasn’t the case, after his meeting with Roth, he was on edge. And I’m on edge too. If he’s right about the connection between Jason, Mike, and me, and that the guy who was in my parents’ house is a serial killer, that could have been my fate too.
I remind myself we don’t know who was at the house that night, but it’s a thought I can’t help but entertain.
When Detective Roth finishes speaking, Detective Berkley takes to the podium, offering assurances about his new role on the case. Zane hangs on his every word.