Page 217 of Ruined Beta

Chapter One Hundred Seven

Leanne

Within an hour, Seth brings back thirteen more jars. Yeah, seriously, thirteen. They trace back almost twenty years, and once we start opening them, it’s easy to see when Harlan’s operation escalated.

The first five years are contained to one jar, including E.A.’s mother’s locket.

Everyone has gathered into the main office, set up in the folding chairs behind the folding tables we used for the pizza party a little while ago. I’m behind Echo’s desk with Secret, and Echo is sitting in the seat next to where E.A. is standing, as he looks at the jars lined up on the desk.

E.A. pulls a pair of gloves out of the box and his hands shake as he begins to put them on.

I know he’s seen the locket before he even lifts the jar that contains it.

He closes his eyes for a moment before he opens it.

Everyone is silent as he removes the baby blue ribbon with the locket attached and turns slightly to face the rest of the room.

We’ve all looked at the existing lists and we all immediately connect the light blue color with Trent Quinn, the casino billionaire.

E.A. clears his throat. “Everyone pair up and start lists for the contents of the new jars. I’ll tell you how to deal with them.”

He starts to demonstrate how to check the ribbon, and my heart squeezes when I see the black mark on the end. He’s not just talking about any evidence right now. He’s talking about a lock of hair and a treasured item someone he thought was a friend took from his mother when he stole her to sell to a creep who would abuse her.

“Next, write down what the personal object is,” he explains, as he looks back at the locket and turns to Echo. “Gold locket, black onyx design.”

Echo writes it down, his expression full of anguish.

It’s hurting all of us to watch him do this.

Spencer gets up and walks over, arms crossed. “E.A. …”

E.A. looks at him and shakes his head. “I’ve waited a third of my life for this, Spencer. It hurts, but it’s important. I need to continue.”

Spencer nods slowly and stands back.

E.A. clears his throat and goes on. “Check the personal item for any inscriptions, or other details that might reveal the victim’s identity.”

He opens the locket.

I can feel tears burning my eyes as I watch his expression slacken.

“The inscription reads: To my dearest Edeline, I will keep you close to my heart forever.”

E.A. closes the locket. He looks at me, and I can tell he’s heartbroken, but he pushes a smile to the surface. “There is no doubt. This is my mother’s locket.”

I move around to his side and put my arm around him. “Clearly, the man who gave her this locket adored her. What happened to her is awful, E.A., but she was loved. By you, by her fiancé who died. You’ll never forget her.”

He nods and takes in a deep breath before he continues talking to the room. “All of these women deserve our attention right now. Remember, we believe an unmarked ribbon means the woman is alive. Let’s get this information together quickly, so we can start the extraction process and notify the press and the police as soon as possible.”

The atmosphere in the room is sombre, but everyone is determined.

We all want to get this done so we can save as many lives as possible.

“Toshi,” E.A. says. “Can you pass out the supplies?”

Toshi nods and starts giving everyone pairs of gloves, sheets of paper, notepads and pens.

He passes out small boxes next, telling everyone to label them by year so they match the lists and to put the jars inside once they’ve been checked and sealed back up.

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