Page 102 of Midnight Waters

“What are you playing at?” George asked, batting Ben away.

“See? He doesn’t have his watch.” Ben pointed at George’s bare wrists. “He’s the one who pushed Tyler off that cliff.”

George spluttered.

“Hang on, now.” Mallory clapped a hand on Ben’s shoulder and pulled him back. “You can’t just go accusing anyone of murder.”

“Pushed Tyler? Are you insane? And what’s this about my watch? Morty has it,” George said.

“Why does your brother have your watch, George?” Mallory asked.

“Because he lost his.” George clapped both his hands to his reddening cheeks. “He was out collecting ingredients for the calming potions he’s been making for Mickey, and it came off in the woods.”

“Then why was his watch found at the bottom of the cliff where they found Tyler’s body?” Mallory asked.

“Wait.” I held up my hands. “Your brother has been making the potions for Michaela?”

“Yes, why?”

“Do they look like this?” I pulled the potion out of my pocket and showed it to him.

George nodded. “Yes, they look just like that. How did you know?”

Ben, Mallory, and I exchanged horrified looks. Tyler’s killer was at Michaela’s bedside, feeding her poison.

The shock still hadn’t worn off as Ben plunged his hand into my jacket pocket and snatched my keys before dashing toward my car.

“Ben, wait!” I shouted.

He didn’t stop, so I sprinted after him. I dove into the passenger seat just as he started the engine, and I shut the door as he reversed out onto the road.

“Stop right there!” Mallory hurried toward the car, a hand out in front of her.

Ben ignored her and sped off down the road.

“You literally stole my dad’s car,” I said as I struggled to put my seat belt on.

“This is an emergency. I’m sure he’d understand.”

I snorted. That was unlikely, considering who was asking.

“I’ll drop you off in town,” Ben said. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Like hell you are. Besides, I’m not going anywhere if you’re going to throw punches at Morty.”

“Who said I was going to do that?”

“Oh, come off it. You just said I might get hurt. If that doesn’t scream an intention to start a fight, I don’t know what does.”

Ben grunted. “Why are you so obsessed?”

“Me obsessed?” I placed a hand on my chest. “With what?”

“Me.” The cocky smirk on his face told me he believed what he was saying.

“Please. If I remember correctly, you were the one who said you couldn’t stop thinking about me.”

“And yet you were the one who instigated sex with me.”

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