Page 5 of Knight

“But she does seem to find herself in the centre of all the drama,” the other office mutters.

Shit, you’re telling me.

“Not to worry.” Branson glances at his partner, his calm voice a contrast to the snarkiness from his colleague. “Your daughter isn’t a suspect.”

“Yet,” his partner pipes again, a hairy hand tugging at his tie. “But we have reason to believe there’s more to the catalyst of today’s events.”

“Your daughter has a relationship with Damien King, is that right?” Branson asks.

Nancy looks around and I’m sure it’s to confirm no one’s listening. With as much as this town soaks up rumours, there are at least a few ears on our conversation.

Branson continues, “Mrs. Archibald, we also have reason to believe Sebastien King was involved in the—”

“We should talk elsewhere,” Nancy cuts him off, looking around his shoulder. “You still can’t talk to Jo without a lawyer but I’ll give you five minutes and five minutes only. Follow me.” She leads them down a narrow hallway off to the side of the room and there’s no way I’m leaving that unanswered.

“What was that about?” Willow asks, but I’m already wondering the same thing.

“Wait here,” I say, making my way over in their direction. The hallway they’re in is dark and I can hardly make them out at the end. They’re facing this way so I can’t be too obvious. That means I can only hear a few words.

“ —this about?” That’s Nancy’s voice. Still sharp. Still annoyed.

Branson’s is next, and I try to piece his words together. “Reason to believe Sebastien—Glendale Fire Department—twentieth of February …” Hearing him say that date drives a stake through my heart, my breath stopping in my throat. I don’t hear the year but it’s a date I’ll never forget, red and orange flames pushing into my mind. The date my parents died is something stamped on me forever. The date I could’ve died with them.

I inch closer, straining my ears, his voice in my head again.

The fire wasn’t accidental.

“What are they saying?” Willow startles me, appearing to my left. I look around the room to see if anyone notices what I’m doing but they’re too enthralled in each other to care.

Ignoring that she didn’t listen to me, I shrug. “It’s hard to tell.” I don’t want to scare her. Don’t want her to worry. Not today.

“Your relation — Cindy Huang?” Branson’s voice gets quieter. Hell, first Sebastien, now Cindy. Even the detectives know they’re sketchy as fuck. But what else do they know? And why did Nancy take them aside? Was that to protect me or was it all for herself?

“Is King here yet?”

My chest tightens when I hear his name, hair on my arms standing at attention. Willow turns around to face the doors. When I follow, Nate’s little sister, Bella Quinfrey, stands behind us in a black knee-length dress. Her gold jewelry compliments her coffee complexion, long curly hair in a ponytail.

She stares at us, phone in her hand, designer purse on her shoulder. Bella’s waiting for an answer but I have glue for saliva. I wish I had a response for her. Wish I could be there for him. Hold him. Touch him. God, I crave that feeling so bad. Those long, cold fingers. My body thirsts for those large hands to envelop me in that possessive hold, but I’m scared. Scared of what that morning means for him. Scared of what it means for us.

And I’m fucking terrified about what it means for me.

“Nope,” Willow speaks up before I implode. “Haven’t seen him.”

“Wow, I can’t believe he’s late to this.” Beth appears behind Bella, her red hair the only colour to her black on black dress and heels. While she’s the least threatening of the Academy’s Supreme Squad, this means Lea Huang isn’t too far away.

Bella flips her ponytail over her shoulder. “Really? I can believe it.”

Beth shakes her head, glancing at the door before she looks at me. Her thin pink lips look like they’re about to say something but Bella speaks up first, “Low, Vicky and the guys have a seat in the back row. Want to sit with us?” My heart sinks, Bella using a nickname only reserved for me. At least I thought. She rolls her eyes. “I want to get inside before my mom gets here. There’s a huge crowd of reporters outside, and believe me, having a superstar mom gets old.”

“I’m gonna find Lea,” Beth says, but not without a warning. “Brace yourself, Jo.”

Wait. For what? I want to ask her but she’s already moving inside the main room and I’m not ready for that yet. Not ready for reality to sink in any more than it already has.

Willow glances at me as if she felt my heart move from chest to my stomach. So much for my only hope. She looks like she’s trying to read me before she asks, “Will you be okay?”

No. “Yeah! Of course.” My squeaky voice isn’t convincing, Willow hesitating. I reassure her, forcing a smile. “Go ahead, I’ll be fine.” I’m saying that more to myself than to her.

“Okay.” She wiggles her phone with a weak smile. “Text me.” She waits for my nod before she walks away, Bella by her side. When she does, I reach in my pocket to check for notifications. My heart sinks even further when there’s still no sign of today’s star. My star.

---