Chapter Four
Itried not to smirk as the doghouse was dumped in the backyard.
“You’re smug as shit.”
Looks like I failed.
Cairo lifted me off the porch, wrapping my legs around him. I linked my fingers behind his neck as he pressed me against the door.
“Did you plan this with Ellis to upgrade your digs?”
“Nope,” I said, grinning. “But I might’ve if I’d known that was all it took.”
Waking up to find the doghouse covered in glass and my bloody footprints on the floor was enough to bring an end to that particular punishment. Cairo wanted me safe and tucked under a Bedlam Boy the next time someone came up on our house in the middle of the night.
“Will I sleep with you tonight?”
“You’ll be in my bed. I’m going out tonight and want you where I can find you when I get back.”
“Okay.”
Arsenio and I got back from his place an hour before. After his snack, he bent me over the couch, pool table, and made me come twice in the shower. I thought I was sore after my marathon with Roan and Legend. The three of them back to back, and I had a noticeable hitch in my step. Arsenio was kind, or smug enough to carry me home.
When we walked in, the sun had set and the guys were finishing up dinner and talking in hushed tones that shifted to muted.
“What were you guys talking about?” I asked. “Your plan against the Crows?”
“Talking about you actually. Arsenio texted us that we have to be ready for the next hit. Any one of us could be next. We were also talking about you feeding him juicier info next time. Might get him to give you more in return.”
“Makes sense,” I agreed. “Are you really going to stand there and take the blows?”
“Jeremy has worse coming his way.”
“What about Cavendish and AgriProspects? The investigation? Is there any news?”
Cairo popped my strap off my shoulder. I swear it was their mandate in life to ensure I was naked at all times.
“Sheriff sent the cigarettes out for testing. The lab is in Hunter’s Crest. It’ll be a few weeks before he gets the results.”
Groaning, I dropped my head on the wood.
“Good news is he made the link between Cavendish and Hope on his own. He’s digging deeper into both of them, figuring out what made them a target of a serial killer.”
“He’s digging to find out how they’re connected to me and if I have a motive,” I corrected.
“That’s still good for us. If there is a link between Cavendish and your grandmother, he’ll find it. And if he tries to bury it, that’ll be all the proof we need about who had their boot on his neck.”
“But how will you know if he finds something?”
“The old man brings his case files home. They make for decent reading.”
I nodded, worrying my lip. “We can’t rely on him to find everything for us. Correction: I won’t rely on him. AgriProspects is gone, but Cavendish’s accounting firm isn’t. I’m—”
“We.”
“We are going there tomorrow. Also, I’m stopping by the only two youth centers in town to see what they know of a Blake Jensen.”
“Fine. We’ll get it done before I go on a collection run.”
He, and therefore I, headed inside.
“Shower,” he stated. “You’re going to do that thing you do.”
Smiling, I kissed his cheek. “Happy to.”
The next morning, I crawled out from under Cairo’s arm and dressed in the dark. Paris and I had eight a.m. classes and were meeting for breakfast.
I stepped out on the porch and waved to the workers fixing our window.
“Morning.”
“Morning. What do you got...?”
His friendly chatter faded as I landed on the mailbox. Poking out of the slot, tucked in with the supermarket coupons like another piece of junk mail, was a black letter.
I didn’t recall telling my feet to move. The command to lift my hand did not come from me. All I knew was in the next breath, my fingers were running over the stamp.
It was a white rose.
The home you made a crime scene didn’t slow you down at all. Of course, you just mailed it.
To the house, said a voice. He wasn’t worried about the Bedlam Boys getting their hands on this first. What does that mean?
Hands shaking, I tore open the letter.
I’m very angry with you.
You lied to me and you gave away our secret. Why is Sharpe telling the cops he’s a witness to the man in the shiny shoes who murdered Hope?
I’ve got friends everywhere. They let me know when a stupid little fool is trying to get one over on me.
When I found out what you did, I was so angry, I didn’t want to talk to you anymore.
I saw you coming out of St. James’s place the other day and decided to kill you right then. If you think you can trick me, or that you don’t have to play the game properly, then you’re not going to play at all.
I was about to end this shit for good, but I didn’t because you don’t get that gift.
It’s you and me, bitch.
Forever. For always. Until I say you can go.
With that fact accepted, you’ll have to make it up to me.
I don’t know who killed Verlice, but it sure as hell wasn’t you. Even though it should have been. That guy was nothing. He wasn’t worth what we’re building.
I’ll make you see that.
The next one won’t be so easy, but you’ll do it because from you they’ll have a peaceful death.
I won’t be that nice.
Fuck you.
They left the creepy hugs and kisses off their sign-off this time. The new one didn’t make me feel better.
I shoved the letter in my backpack, torn between going inside and telling the guys, or walking straight into a police station.
This was beyond me now. This psychopath was not playing around and I did not need to bury another friend for the message to sink in. The sooner I found out who he was, the sooner I could hand these letters over with a name and never think of the Letter Man again.
“Rainey.”
I plastered a smile on my face as Paris climbed out of her car. She was gorgeous as ever. Paris loved raiding her mom’s closet for outfits she could turn vintage. That day’s look was a puffy top, brown leather skirt, and clunky boots.
“Hey, I’ve got your change of clothes here.” Paris waggled her bag at me. In it would be jeans, a top, and maybe even a sweater if I was lucky. My days of bargaining for clothes were over.
“Oh, how I long for the days of sneakers,” I called. “Remind me of what it’s like. Is it glorious?”
“It’s pretty glorious.”
I ran up to her and we smooched cheeks. Pulling back, she gave me a funny look.
“Wow.”
I squeezed my pack strap. “What is it?”
“Girl, you are sexed up. Are you getting any sleep at all?”
Fire licked my cheeks. “What? Where did you get that from?”
“Um, you practically galloped over to me, walking funny like you’ve been going cowgirl—bareback and bucking all night and day on that saddle.”
“That’s too many puns!”
“Plus, you’re covered in hickeys and glowing like someone, or someones, broke your orgasm meter. Spill it. Tell me everything.”
“Do you really want the details of my sex life with your brother?”
She scrunched her face. “Okay, spill four-fifths of it.”
Laughing, I threw my arm around her, setting off for class.
“Okay, I will say things have progressed positively in that area. Except with Jacques.” It was hard to hold my smile, thinking of the distance between us. “I know he feels something for me, but he won’t take it as far as he can. Has he ever had a girlfriend that he didn’t share with the guys? Just the two of them.”
“He dated a couple girls in high school. Brainiacs like him. But it never lasted long,” she said. “Going by the locker room talk, they couldn’t figure out what was going on inside his head to give him what he wanted either.”
I blew out a breath. “I have a theory that women are a superspecies. We live longer. Carry the young. Aren’t afflicted by testosterone poisoning. But the Lord created men for the same reason lions and antelopes share the same savanna. No one should have it too easy.”
“Are you making another play to get in my pants? No doubt ladies-only would do wonders for our stress levels.” She held up her hands. “But you must be this long to ride this roller coaster.”
“I hate you,” I said, cracking up.
She popped a kiss on my cheek. “Wouldn’t have to keep giving you these reminders if that was true.”
We strode along the sidewalk, taking the lazy way to the student union.
“I’ll figure Jacques out.” I tapped my fingers together, putting on my mad scientist voice. “Slowly but surely I’ll lure them all into my web. Muahahaha.”
Paris laughed so hard she snorted. “You are so adorable. My brother does not deserve you, Rainey. I hope Assface knows that.”
“If he does, he does not care.” I nudged her. “Don’t let me dominate the conversation. I want to hear all about your latest playmate. Last text said he invited you to dinner with his mom.”
“Ugh, I know. He said he was cool with casual and then he caught feelings like Corona at a Covid party. He’s a nice guy, and he does this thing in bed that would set your ears on fire. Seriously, I can’t tell you.”
“But you will.”
“I totally will. Tonight when you come over for the next season of our Doctor Who marathon. My parents took off this morning, so I’m inviting everyone.”
“Okay, is this actually a party and you’re trying to disguise it with Doctor Who?”
“Who throws a party in the middle of the week? I promise, it’s fun, food, and—”
Squealing tires battered our eardrums.
The car jumped the curb, screeching to a halt in front of us. Six guys piled out—all decked out in black masks.
“Hey,” Paris shouted. “What the hell is wrong with—?”
The lead guy punched her in the mouth.
“Paris!”
She flew back, crashing into me. We tripped over my feet and landed hard on the sidewalk. They hauled her off me, tossing her on the grass. Paris screamed as a slap snapped her head around.
“Stop!”
I jumped on Paris, trying to shield her from the kicks and blows. Pain exploded in my skull.
A filthy, meaty fist tangled in my hair, dragging me off her. Its pair sailed at my face.
My lip split on impact and filled my mouth with blood. Dazed, I rolled on the concrete. One of them ripped off Paris’s shirt.
Shoving myself up, I leaped on the brute’s back. Hooking my arm around their neck, I squeezed.
He gagged and clawed at my arm. My captive shot forward, bent, and slammed my head into the car window. It shattered in a shower of glass.
“Get this bitch off me!”
“Hey,” someone shouted. “Hey, look! Over there! Get security!”
Two grabbed me, yanking me off. I whipped around and smashed one across the temple. His mask tugged up, revealing half a cheek and the corner of his mouth. I seized the mask to pull it the rest of the way.
A hard body tackled me, throwing me against the car.
“De Souza, stop.”
I stiffened. I didn’t know why I was surprised. It could only be him.
“You weren’t supposed to be with her, but there’s nothing we can do about that now,” Jeremy said. He shoved me down, grip ironclad on my collar. “Sorry, we have to make it look good.”
He punched me.
My skull banged off the metal, popping black spots in my vision.
“What are you doing? Leave them alone!”
“Let’s go,” Jeremy bellowed.
I was thrown to the side.
Our attackers jumped in the car, peeling out in a haze of burning rubber.
Crawling over the pavement, it scraped me raw, marking my path in blood. Finally, I made it to her.
I shielded Paris as our rescuers ran over much too late, holding her as she cried.
JACQUES
Rainey curled up on the cot, unmoving under the scratchy cotton blanket.
My arrival didn’t awaken her, so I didn’t either. Casting a shadow over her, I noted and cataloged Rainey’s injuries.
Puffy lip. Swollen eye. Head wound.
The animals who did this would get the same pain and bruises multiplied by ten. My conclusions told me this would permanently maim or injure them. I was satisfied by that outcome.
What I couldn’t conclude was why Rainey called me of all people when they were brought to the med center. Maybe she thought I would handle the information calmer than the other guys. It’s true I didn’t put my fist through the wall like Cairo did after receiving the same call from the sheriff, who responded to a dozen reports blowing up the station at once.
No, I did not put a fist through the wall, but calm...
I sifted through the six options for running the Crows out of Bedlam, and discarded each one.
There was only one option now, set in stone when Rainey stuttered on the other side of the phone, holding back tears.
They would be taken down in the harshest, cruelest manner I could plunder from the depths of my intellect, and everyone would know it was me. I’d proclaim it proud in the courtroom, smile as they gave me my sentence, and wear it as a badge of honor as I passed through the prison walls.
Of all the rewards, trophies, and recognition I garnered over the years, this would be my crowning achievement.
Her thin voice drew my attention.
“Jacques, you’re here.”
“I am.”
We were in a small room in the back of the center. Efforts were made to brighten it up. Purple flower wallpaper matched her purple blanket. A small side table carried a fake rose in a vase, water bottle, and a bag of cookies.
“The nurse wouldn’t release me on my own. I didn’t know who else to call.”
“You don’t have to explain.” I sat on the edge of the mattress, smoothing down her hair. “You’re our girl. I’m the right person to call.”
Her eyes welled. “Is Paris okay?”
“They wouldn’t give me any information. Cairo is with her now, though. He’ll take her home.”
She nodded, sniffling softly. “It was Jeremy.”
“I know.”
“He was planning to get her alone, but he didn’t let me being there stop him. Why would he do this?” she sobbed. “Roan hit them hard, but he only went for the Crows. No collateral damage. Paris never hurt anyone. Why would he do this?”
“I suspect...” I trailed off.
“Suspect what?” Her hand poked out of the blanket and slipped under mine. “Tell me, Jacques.”
“They know threats and violence aren’t going to work with us. They tried both and failed. Now, they’re going after our weaknesses. Weaknesses we didn’t know we had. Jumping Cairo wasn’t going to do shit to get him out of this place. But jumping his little sister.” I shook my head. “He’d leave to protect her.”
“They’re going after who you love.”
“Looks that way,” I replied. “Arsenio’s dad’s car, and you and Paris walking around campus were easy targets. It won’t be so easy getting to a sheriff, judge, or the mayor. The same for Legend’s parents behind their high gates, but we won’t wait around to let them try. This ends.”
“Please,” she whispered. “Let’s talk about something else. I can’t cry any more today.”
“What would you like to talk about?”
Rainey nuzzled her cheek against my palm. “Something good. Happy.”
I didn’t have to dig deep in the cabinets for this one. It was right at the entrance.
“My cousin had a baby. Brand new. Born a couple days ago.” I fished out my phone. “An unattractive little thing, but I’m sure she’ll be cute when she’s not screaming.”
Rainey smiled as she flipped through the pictures. “She’s beautiful, Jacques. What’s her name?”
“Fleur.”
“You Stones have a thing for French names.”
“It’s a family tradition. Our last name used to be Perreault. That’s French for stone. When my great-great-grandparents came here, they were pressured to strip everything foreign about them. They changed their last name and didn’t teach their children French. So, we honor their sacrifices by taking a little piece of what they gave up back.”
“I love that. I wish my name had a beautiful story. My mom read the name Rainey in a romance novel and liked it.” She laughed and the cracked, bubbling pot of rage settled slightly. “The rest is history.”
“Maybe you were meant to give this name your own story.”
She smiled softly. “Maybe.”
“Ready to go?”
“Yes.”
I lifted her up despite her weak protests. We collected stares as I carried her across campus. Word of what happened would spread through the whole town by now, and her bruises confirmed the rumor.
I told the guys the Crows would hang themselves if we left them to it. They’d run out of sympathy and find themselves in a town that despised them. That day was today.
Rainey didn’t remark on my bringing her home and taking her into my room. A neat, orderly space, the sheets were laundered and made up. My mini-fridge stocked, and my television remote placed beside her. I made to leave.
“Please, Jacques. Stay with me.”
I turned around and climbed in next to her without a thought. Rainey buried her face in my neck, holding me tight.
“Why aren’t we together?”
The question surprised me. “That’s what you want to talk about right now?”
“That’s the second-most asked question in my mind, Jacques. Right behind who is the Letter Man? I can’t help but wonder why you don’t want to be with me.”
I frowned. “Did I say I didn’t?”
“It’s been weeks. We could do just about anything, just about any time you want. But you don’t touch me outside of spankings. Is that where our relationship ends?”
“Do you think I’d tell you anything other than what you want to hear today?”
“I know you’ll tell me the truth, Jacques. You always do.”
“You’re right, so here it is. The truth and all that you’ll get from me today. This,” I said, “is where we begin.”
RAINEY
Jacques turned down Bay Avenue and parked in front of Paris’s house. I followed his gaze down the street to the mansion on the end.
“It’s awful she has to be this close to them. That there’s even a risk she’ll see them drive past in the morning or sit across from her on the deck, eating bagels.” My nails dug half-moons in my palm. “I can end this right now. Tell the sheriff it was the Crows who attacked us.”
“You can, and I won’t stop you if that’s what you want to do,” Jacques said. “Just know the likelihood of his rich father getting them off by claiming the witness saw they were masked, so you couldn’t be sure who it was. I respect whatever decision you and Paris make. Justice may not come from the legal system, but I can promise you, it will come from me.”
I was quiet, turning the last twelve hours in my mind. Justice did come slowly to the wealthy. That’s how it worked when the game is rigged in your favor. Whereas with the Bedlam Boys—
An image of the sex-trafficking rapist, Axel Verlice, lying in a pool of his own blood floated through my mind.
No one escaped their punishment.
“Does it help you guys that Jeremy thinks I’m on their side? Does your plan rely on it?”
He nodded.
“Then I won’t file a report. But,” I said, “I also won’t lie to Paris about who did this to her, if she hasn’t figured that out already.”
“Bye.”
I kissed his cheek and earned a crooked brow—his sign for what does that mean? Explain.
This was one of those things a genius could figure out.
“You don’t have to wait for me.” I flicked to the Crow house. “I’ll find a way back.”
Esteban opened the gates at the sight of me. That’s the friends we were. Paris already trusted me. It wasn’t just on the Bedlam Boys to see the Crows paid for what they did. Jeremy wanted to know where it hurt? He’d fucking find out.
I walked up the drive, unsurprised to see Cairo’s truck.
The housekeeper sent me up. I went straight to Paris’s room, knocked, and let myself in.
She huddled in the bed, swallowed in her oversized hoodie and three blankets. The mound shook as she sobbed into Cairo’s chest.
I padded in, catching his attention.
My wolf was out of place in this soft pink setting. He even looked out of place with Paris. I didn’t get the impression comforting was something he provided often. He leaned stiff against the headboard, the human-sized pillow she was clutching. He didn’t say or do anything other than rest his hand on the back of her head.
That could be exactly what she needs. For him to just be there.
Nora came in holding a tray. “Paris, dear, I brought you some— Oh, hello, Rainey. Now isn’t a good time...” The polite send-off died on her lips as I faced her. “You too?”
I just bobbed my head.
“Sweetie, I’m so sorry.” Setting down the soup, she gathered me in her arms.
“R-Rainey tried to st-stop them,” Paris whispered from her cocoon. “And paid for it.”
Nora gasped.
“I paid for not making a difference. They still hurt you, Paris, and I was useless to stop them. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t say that. You helped me while half the quad was standing around squawking about what to do.” The smallest smile broke through the blankets. “Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you, Rainey.”
Nora squeezed me again, and the warmth of a mother’s hug so rattled me, I think I rested my head on her shoulder. It had been years since someone just... hugged me.
“You get comfortable because you’re staying with us until these animals are caught and I’m not changing my mind,” she added as I opened my mouth. “Paris will take some time off. When you’re both ready, our driver and guard will bring you to and from campus. Shouldn’t be long before they’re dragged out of that house in cuffs. Paris says she knows who attacked her.”
“The Crows.” She spat the name.
Yeah, I didn’t need to fill her in. Paris knew exactly who was responsible.
Nora’s lips pinched. “Those little shits will not lay a hand on you ever again.”
I would’ve been surprised at such a statement coming from the refined woman before me, if she wasn’t going easy on them. There were infinitely harsher things she could’ve said, and all would be appropriate.
“Go on, dear. Get off your feet.” She nudged me toward the bed. “Cairo is staying too. My babies in one place. Your best friend with you,” she told Paris. “You’re safe. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“Is it okay?” I asked Paris after her mom shut the door. “I can give you space if you want.”
“No, stay.” Sniffling, she burrowed in the crook of Cairo’s neck.
It was my first proper look at the cuts and purpling bruises covering her face.
“I want you both here. You’ll stop me going over there and killing them.”
“No.”
“Wrong.”
Cairo and I spoke at the same time.
“I won’t stop you fucking up those bastards,” Cairo said. “Actually, I’ll be your alibi, saying you were here all night if you do, and you’ll be mine when I do.”
“I’m hardly going to stop you going over there,” I added as I climbed in next to Cairo. “When I’m paying a visit myself.”
“Guys...” Paris reached out and took my hand. She didn’t have to say anything else.
Cairo got up and grabbed the tray. “Eat. You too,” he told me. “I’ll put on that alien show you guys like.”
“Doctor Who is so much more than an alien show. You’ve now earned yourself the full in-depth lecture on the Whoverse.”
“No good deed, right?”
We smiled at each other across the room.
Fucking right, he loves me.
THE NEXT MORNING, Istood outside the Crows’ gate.
I didn’t normally wear makeup and I hadn’t changed that fact that morning. Let Jeremy see what he did to me.
I stood under the camera for a full fifteen minutes before someone buzzed me in. Jeremy waited for me at the door.
“Rainey, before you say anything—”
I decked him across the face.
His neck snapped, smashing his temple against the doorframe.
“Ow.” Jeremy cracked his jaw. “You can throw a hit.”
“It’s how you take on a charging bull. Strike hard, fast, and without hesitation. You’re half as smart and twice as aggressive.”
He smirked, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. “Fair enough, I deserve that. Got it out of your system?”
“Not even close! She’s my best friend!”
“She’s Sharpe’s sister and the only person in this godforsaken town he gives a shit about. I thought you understood that we couldn’t do this by asking nicely.”
“No, you didn’t think I understood that, or you would’ve told me what you were going to do. You know I’d stop you. Warn Paris.” I punched him again. “We’re not on the same side, Ellis, so you can take your lies and manipulations, and shove them up the same amoral hole the Bedlam Boys keep their twisted justifications. You’re no different from them.”
“Rainey.”
I spun on my heels, flipping him off over my shoulder. “Go fuck your brother up the ass.”
“Rainey!” Footsteps sounded behind me. “If you walk out that gate, you’ll watch the smoldering firepit that used to be your farm on the six o’clock news.”
I ground to a stop.
“That’s right.” His self-satisfied tone grated on my ears. “Turn around. Come inside. And let’s talk this out like adults.”
Stiffly, I picked up one foot, then the other, forcing them to take me inside the lion’s den.
Jeremy slung his arm over my shoulder—a grin riding his lips he didn’t bother to hide. “That’s better.”
The door shut behind me.
Hanging out in the living room were five guys in various states of dress. Two in their boxers. Two missing their shirts. And Micah dressed and looking like he was on his way to class. I pictured him standing outside our window, lofting a rock.
“Who are you?” I asked the two unfamiliar faces. “And which one of you hairy cunts tore Paris’s clothes off?”
They were stony-faced, glaring back at me.
“Who did it?!” I charged them.
Jeremy scooped me around the middle and hauled me upstairs. My threats, each more creative than the last, rained down on the silent crew.
He brought me into the same office where I signed the contract.
“You need to calm down.”
“You need to not stand so close to me.”
He backed up, hands held in surrender. Didn’t stop me noticing he was between me and the door.
“I tried to warn you that it would get bad, and that whatever happened, it wasn’t about you.” He motioned to my face. “If you had walked away, none of that would’ve happened, but you kept coming at us and we didn’t have a choice.”
“Walked away? And let you beat on my best friend? Are you dead inside, Ellis? Because that’s something I should know.”
His raised hands balled into fists. “What I am is willing to do what has to be done. Think I wanted to beat up on some chick whose only crime was some unfortunate shared DNA? Think I liked having to hurt you?” he flung.
“Ask yourself this: would any of this have happened if those guys got out of our way the first or tenth time we told them? If they cared so much about their families and this town, they wouldn’t have escalated this to a war. What else did they expect but casualties?”
I had to stop myself from punching him again. Of course he refused to take responsibility for his repulsive actions. Everything was the Bedlam Boys’ fault.
“And those guys down there? Two more soldiers?”
“That’s Asher and Zeke. Jonah transferred back to HC,” he said. “All anyone wanted to talk about was that video and its made-up bullshit. Thought it was better he take himself out of the situation, and we get some friends up here in his place. Can’t have the Bedlam Boys outnumbering us.”
Folding my arms, I sat in the armchair by the window. “Has it ever occurred to you that there is no war? There’s just a fight you picked on someone else’s playground, and now you’re throwing a tantrum because the bullies were too big for you.”
He dropped in the seat next to me, chuckling. “You’re mad. It’s understandable, but around now is the time you should get over it. Keller’s bruises will heal. Her embarrassment will fade. But Sharpe just learned a lesson he won’t forget. Neither will Creed. If they don’t want another one, they’ll get out of here. If St. James and Stone don’t want to find out what we’ve got in store for them, they’ll fuck off out of my town.”
Someone was missing from that threat.
“What about Roan?”
His lips peeled back from his teeth. “He made his bed.”
A chill climbed my spine. “And what if I want nothing to do with you anymore? I’ll mail my weekly updates to your father.”
“You talk to me, de Souza. You’ll tell me everything—everything the Bedlam Boys do or say. I want reports on the frequency of their shits.”
“That’s not in the—”
“Contract.” His grin only got wider. “Know what else isn’t in the contract? The day we have to hand over the deed.”
“The fuck it isn’t. Ownership is transferred to me on close of sale.”
“Sure, but we never specified when we’d close that sale. Dad’s got no problem with continuing to bribe Ella Franklin to keep it off the market until we’re good and ready to buy it.” He held out his hands—a dangerous move seeing as he wasn’t protecting his sensitive areas. “Who knows when that will be? Months? Years? Actually, I’ll tell you when it’ll be: the day after the Bedlam Boys leave for good and not a second before. So I’d worry less about my methods and more about giving me useful information.”
My expression went blank. I didn’t recognize the voice that left my lips. “You don’t want to play with me, Ellis.”
“I don’t,” he said. “I truly don’t. I’d like us to move past this unfortunate incident and go back to how we were. We do that, and we don’t have to threaten or punch each other in the face anymore. Deal?”
I eyed his outstretched hand.
“You don’t ever lay a hand on Paris again. Ever. If she so much as trips on the wind and breaks a nail, that contract won’t protect you.”
“That’s fair. Paris Keller is off-limits. We good?” He thrust his hand out farther.
“And,” I continued, “since it seems I’ll be waiting a while before I get anything out of this arrangement, you’ll provide me a few things to keep me happy.”
“What do you want? Money?”
“I do want money. Five thousand dollars— Actually, make that six. You can write me a check for the five thousand. The thousand I want in cash. Also,” I said, “your car keys.”
He pulled a face. “What for?”
“I don’t have a car. I need to get around, and it’s better the Bedlam Boys don’t ask questions about where I’m going.”
“If it’s something that’ll piss them off, you can drive it for as long as you want.” He dropped the key on my palm. “Anything else?”
He’s amused. He won’t be laughing when I’m done.
“That’s it. For now.”
A half an hour later, I walked out with my check, cash, and keys.
Cairo and I had a list of stops we meant to make. The accounting office and the youth centers.
That was before Paris and I were attacked, and before the message from the Letter Man. He knew Cairo backed me up for Bella, so he knows I must’ve told him the truth. I wouldn’t put him in more danger by dragging him deeper into this.
I’d find out without him if there was a connection between my grandmother and Cavendish. The same for the identity of Dante, or Blake Jensen, or whoever took up the pen.
I climbed in his car and drove out to Hunter’s Crest. I looked up private investigators enough times, I knew which street to go down and how long to wait for him to open for the day.
Dropping my seat back, I nibbled on an egg sandwich I picked up at the drive-through.
I saw the appeal of Hunter’s Crest. Bigger town, bigger parades on Founder’s Day, more to do, more to see. Still, I wouldn’t live anywhere other than my patch of grass on the dot too small to show on a map.
The clock hit nine, so I got out, making my way to Gold Investigations. A tall, raven-haired man with temples just beginning to gray looked up from the coffee machine. He was handsome in an easy, approachable way. He flashed me a smile that loosened my tension.
“Hello? I’m Henry Gold. How can I help you?”
I pulled a black letter from my backpack. “I’d like you to find the serial killer who’s been stalking me.”
He didn’t blink. “I see. Sit down. I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.”
An hour later, we were both on our third cup.
“Who is this Axel Verlice they mentioned?”
“Local bar owner,” I replied. “He happened to die shortly after the Letter Man ordered me to kill an innocent person. I thought I could save myself by claiming credit, but... he saw through me.”
“And killed your friend, Bella.”
I bit my lip, holding back tears.
“Have you shown the police this letter?”
“I can’t.” I jabbed the paper. “I’ve got friends everywhere. They let me know when a stupid little fool is trying to get one over on me. My boyfriend”—I dropped the word so casually—“gave a statement to the police about him and he found out in two days. I don’t know who I can trust. Why do you think I’m here?”
“Alright, alright,” he soothed. “I understand you’re in a difficult and deadly situation. What matters is you have come for help. There’s already been one innocent death. We don’t need another.”
Yes, one. I wasn’t saying anything about Scott Cavendish. He’d have to get to him on his own.
He took a notepad out of his drawer and flipped to a clean page. “Start from the beginning. When did this start?”
“That’s the thing, this may have started long before I thought,” I told him. “Two years ago, a company was harassing my grandmother to sell her farm. She refused them, and I woke up one day and found her lying in the cornfield. She was poisoned.”
“Goodness,” he breathed.
“I used all the money I had to get a private autopsy, but the results, along with the medical examiner, disappeared. I didn’t think any of that was connected to what is happening now, but she was killed and whoever planned to benefit from her death, didn’t. The farm wasn’t bought and soon it’ll be mine again.”
His head bobbed up and down as he scribbled. “Have any of the letters mentioned the farm?”
“No. It’s been crazy stuff about stealing my soul and turning me into a monster. One did say something about my ancestors running from the fight, but I wouldn’t.”
“Interesting.” Scribble. Scribble. “What’s special about your farm that someone would kill for it?”
I shook my head. “If I understood any of this, I wouldn’t be here. All I know is I’ve spent my whole life mucking around in pigpens. I was homeschooled. All my friends were feathered. I haven’t done anything to anyone for them to hate me as much as this person does. So if I didn’t start this, I have to believe it’s connected to the other unexplained tragedy in my life.”
“It’s not an unreasonable assumption. I will certainly dig deeper into the circumstances of your grandmother’s death. Is there anything else I should know?”
“A few little things that may add up to something bigger.” I told him about the cigarettes and kookaburra laughing at the end of New Dante’s show. “The first letter was a riddle about a kookaburra,” I explained, keeping it short. “Kookaburras aren’t such a common bird around here that I believe it’s a coincidence.”
“Indeed,” he said. “You’re not the first person to come up from Bedlam asking me to unveil Dante.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and I turned those cases down. I don’t do cheating spouses, setups, or unmask freelance journalists because people don’t like what they have to say. But if you’re saying someone new has taken over and they might be”—he looked at the letter in disgust—“this person. It’s worth finding out if only to find out if the previous Dante gave up his post willingly, or it was taken from him.
“Contact me immediately if you receive another letter,” he said. “I have a few buddies on the force. I trust them with my life.”
“I won’t have a choice if he tries again to force me to kill.”
“It will not come to that. No one else is going to die.”
“How much to hire you?”
“It’s five hundred dollars for the retainer and forty dollars an hour at my rate, but don’t worry about the bill. Pay what you can afford, Miss de Souza. It’s more important that we catch this guy.”
We talked a little more, then I left, making him take the thousand on the way out. It was Jeremy’s money. Let it all go to something good.
It was a long drive back home to Bedlam. Made longer by the grim thoughts spinning in my head.
My first stop was to the accounting firm. The trip was quick. They never heard of the company AgriProspects. If Cavendish did business with them, he did it on his own time. With that settled, I set off for the youth centers, and arrived as volunteers began setting up for the after-school programs.
I went to the Eagle Track Center first and came away empty. My next stop was the Westchester Youth Center.
I walked up to the first official-looking person I saw. A woman in a green vest and smile lines around her mouth stood behind the desk, marking things on her clipboard.
“Excuse me.”
She faced me and I read Grace on her name tag.
“Hello. Are you alright?”
“I am, thank you.” For a second I forgot how frightening I was to look at. “My name is Emily. I was wondering if you could tell me if a volunteer used to work here, and if he did, could you give me his contact information?”
“What is this about?”
“It’s um— I—” I dropped my head, lips trembling. “My half brother used to live in Bedlam with our father and his mother. Anyway, we didn’t grow up together, but after he moved out, he’d told me about the program and his mentor, Sam Cavanaugh, who got him through a hard time and helped him turn his life around.
“My brother, he died,” I cried. “I know it would’ve meant a lot to him if Sam could be at the funeral. I’ve been trying to find him, so I can send him the details. Can you help me?”
“Oh, sweetie.” She clutched her chest. “I’m so sorry for your loss, and I’m afraid I have more bad news. I believe the man you’re looking for is Scott Cavendish. He was one of our mentors but he passed a few weeks ago. Murdered.”
“What? That’s horrible.” I was becoming quite the actress.
“It was terrible. And to go in that way.” She shook herself. “But I shouldn’t lay more grief on you.”
“No, it’s okay. At least now I know why I couldn’t find him.” I crossed my fingers behind my back. “I don’t know if you have this, but is it possible I could have a photo of them? Activities they did together or something like that? I’d like to put it in the slideshow of his life.”
“Of course.”
Grace set down her clipboard and disappeared behind the desk. She popped up holding a box of folders.
“What was your brother’s name?”
“David Holstead.”
Her brows scrunched. “Holstead? I don’t recognize that name. Are you sure he was with our program?”
“I’m sure. I got Mr. Cavendish’s name wrong, but I do remember him saying Westchester Youth Center.”
“Hmm. Well, we do get children who come after school for a snack and quiet place to do homework. It’s possible your brother wasn’t with us officially, but became close with Scott.” She flipped through the folders and stopped at one with a purple tab. S. Cavendish scrawled on the label.
“Scott was only with us for a year, but— Ah. There we go.” She plucked a photo from the file. “Here’s a picture of Scott with the kids after a basketball game. Our kids and a few from the neighborhood came out. Do you see your brother?”
I bumped my hip on the desk, leaning in to see.
The Scott Cavendish as I didn’t know him threw his head back mid-laugh, arms around two tall kids. Around them there were about a dozen more—eight of them rocking shirts with the center logo.
Blake Jensen, are you here?
“He’s there,” I said. “Thank you so much. You don’t know what this means to me.”
“I wish I could do more.”
I clutched the photo, making fast for the exit like she might change her mind. In the car, I fought to pay attention to the road. Back and forth my gaze ping-ponged to the older teenagers in the photos. This was taken a few years ago, so Cavendish’s protégé had to be at Bedlam University now.
I drove up to Jeremy’s gate, parked, and scrutinized the photo. None of the faces stood out to me, but it was a group shot of people looking this way, that way, pulling faces, or covering her eyes from the sun in one girl’s case. At the very least, I had the vague features of four guys—one blond, two brunette, and one green. I definitely wouldn’t miss the last next time he crossed my path.
The Letter Man may not be in this photo, but it’s a start.
I got out, stuck the photo in the Crows’ mailbox, and pressed the buzzer to be let in. A beep sounded, letting me know the gate was about to open.
I drove up as Jeremy strolled out of the house shirtless and in a pair of sweats tied low. Quinn came out behind him.
Ah. There’s his shirt.
It didn’t stretch far enough to cover her cheeks. She didn’t seem to care as she came skipping out after Jeremy, throwing her arms around him possessively.
“What the hell are you doing here, farm trash? The Crows aren’t looking for an open-for-business slut with mad cow disease.”
“I figured, since you’ve got that position locked up.”
She flew at me.
“Whoa.” Jeremy caught her around the middle, holding tight. “It’s cool, baby. Rainey had to borrow my car to take care of some private business.”
“Had to get a chlamydia shot and the clinic closes at six!”
Damn, she’s quick with the clapbacks.
“Oh, shit. It closes at six? Better get your ass over there, then. I can see the love bumps on your cootch from here.”
I’m quick too.
Quinn clapped her hands over her thong. “Fuck you!”
“Give it a rest,” Jeremy snapped. “And give me my keys. I’ve got somewhere to be.”
Jeremy stepped off the porch, and I hit the gas.
“Hey!”
I hit the lawn border and popped off, bouncing in the seat.
“What are you doing?!”
I jerked the wheel and whipped around the house, speeding to the backyard. Moving fast, I rolled all the windows down. The seat belt was next to go.
Jeremy’s car careened through lawn chairs. I braced myself as I shot off the rim and drove into the pool.
Water rushed in the openings, swallowing the car to the six-feet depths.
I swam through the driver’s window, grabbing on to the ladder in time for Jeremy to burst outside.
“What the fuck?! What did you do?!”
He skidded to a stop at the edge and dropped on his knees. Eyes huge, he clutched his head, jaw working and nothing coming out.
I strolled over to him, peeled his hand off, and shook. He was too dumbfounded to stop me.
He received the same shit-eating smirk he gave me while saying I should get over my and my best friend’s beating.
“Now, we’re good.”