Chapter 22 Matteo #3
“Tell us about the cases you buried or covered up,” Akio says while following Declan to the table full of well-used tools.
“I can’t remember specifics. In a lot of cases of missing girls, I classified them as runaways… and a few other situations here and there.”
Declan rolls out the tools onto the table. He and Akio both pick out one and turn to O'Brian. “Well, maybe this will help you remember.” Declan walks to him and grabs his fingernail with the pliers he chose.
I find myself several steps closer to Matteo when the screaming starts. When it stops, there are four fingernails on the ground and a sobbing cop trembling in the chair.
“The runaways I truly can’t remember details.
They’re all the same. I just keep the attention off those cases and they fade away.
” He takes a deep, shaky breath, and disgust rolls through me at the disregard he has for lives he seems to think are beneath him.
“There were a few assaults I made go away or I discredited victims so that nothing came of it.”
Anger churns in my stomach. I know exactly what that feels like.
I went to my father, who brushed my attack off as a drunken night.
Quinn pushed me to go to the cops, and after making the report they contacted me again with further questions.
All of those questions hinted at the attack being my fault in some way, so I dropped it altogether.
“How many?” My voice rings out, and I take a step forward. “How many assaults did you cover up?”
“Dozens.” He won't look me in the face. “Including yours.”
My heart drops. My palms start sweating, and there is a buzzing in my ears. I’m not crazy, which is relieving, but the reality of what really happened with reporting my attack is making me feel ill.
When I look around the room I am met with several variations of the same emotion coloring the features of the guys’ faces: rage.
“Who put you up to it? Covering hers and the others? Is it one person or do you do this for anyone willing to pay?” Matteo has his arms crossed as he watches every reaction of this man.
O'Brian raises his head to look him dead in the eye before I see the defeat wash over his features. If he wants a quick death, his only shot is answering these questions. “People at Helix Enterprises. All the cases I have buried come from them and were done at the request of my contact.”
My jaw clenches as another piece of damning evidence comes forward. How could I have been so blind? If I went back, would I notice any of this going on, or is it hidden as well as it seems?
“Who at Helix Enterprises is your contact?” Matteo has now retrieved a weapon of his own. He’s holding a silver handgun, just waiting for an excuse to use it. Akio moves closer to me, his shoulder brushing mine.
“Clay Ensling. He was behind most of the assaults.” He pauses, choking up and struggling to speak through the strain in his voice. “Clay was the one who attacked you.”
All eyes are on me. Akio looks ready to sweep me away from here, to protect me from this. Declan’s face contorts in rage, his whole body tensed and ready for battle. And Matteo looks at me, almost… defeated.
Numbness washes over me. I have no idea what I’ll do with this information.
That’s for tomorrow Fallon to figure out.
My body moves of its own accord as I pluck the knife from Akio’s hand with unfeeling fingers and approach O'Brian. His eyes are pleading, but he knows it’s time to pay for everything that he’s done.
The guys look ready to intervene, but they hold themselves back, letting me exact whatever revenge I need to.
Before I reach O'Brian, Matteo's voice gives a gentle reminder.
“Just don't kill him yet, Menace. We have one more thing to do.” I don't know or care about what he means. I wasn’t going to kill him, anyway. I want to make him bleed one good time before I figure out what the hell I’m actually feeling.
I stand directly in front of this broken man and raise the blade.
“I hope they drag this out to make you pay for every victim,” I tell him, my voice barely a whisper.
“Then I hope you burn in hell, because no amount of penance will ever be enough.” Then I slice my blade across his forehead.
Blood hits my face and pours down his as he screams. It’s not a deadly cut but it sure as hell is a painful one.
The knife clatters to the ground as I turn.
The guys exchange unsure glances, their uncertainty palpable as they fumble with how to handle the situation.
I don't know what’s worse, having the answers, not having them, or the pity I see in this room.
I walk to the door, but realize I can’t open it without one of the guys.
My throat is tight, and tears burn my eyes. I don't want anyone to see me fall apart, and I don't know how much longer I can hold it together. “Please open this,” I say tightly.
Akio walks over and places his eye in front of the scanner.
Locks clang open immediately, and without another word, I leave, swiftly climbing the stairs to my room and cranking up the shower as hot as it will go.
Steam fills the room as I lock my bedroom and bathroom door.
I walk into the shower with my clothes on, feeling exposed and defeated.
My back slides down the wall as I sit in the hot spray with my knees curled up to my chest. Only then do I allow myself to fall apart.