Page 79 of King of Deception

Why was everyone regarding Abel with such formality? The detective seemed to know him. Was he, too, a friend?

A big, shiny car in a brand I’d never seen before.

Tinted windows.

Everything happened in flashes, and I felt like I was the only one who didn’t know what was going on.

Whose car was this?

Abel sat me down in the passenger’s seat, fastening my belt. He then spontaneously settled behind the wheel.

And an automated voice said…

“Good afternoon, Abel. Where would you like to go?”

sixteen

The Collapse

Abel

“How are you feeling?” I asked as I tried to channel all of my concentration on the police car ahead of us.

“I’m… Ehm… Whose car is this?”

Reaching for her fingers, I clasped them in mine. “God, you’re shaking.”

“Abel,” she pulled her hand away, “where did you get this car, and why’s your name programmed in it?”

Squeezing my eyes shut for a second, I tried to hold in my frustration. “Can we focus on you for—”

“And why did you call that detective instead of nine-one-one?”

“I—He’s a friend of mine.”

“Back to the car, then. Whose is it?”

As we slowed down to stop at an intersection, I turned to her, sighing. “Will you at least tell me how you are? Put my mind at ease. Did he hurt you?”

“How do you think I’m feeling?” she raised her voice. “My wrists are sore and there’s a fucking brick on my chest that just won’t budge. Abel, what’s going on? I suddenly feel like I’m talking to a stranger and not my boyfriend!”

What a perfect time to call me that.

My throat tightened.

Repeatedly blinking, I shook my head while I gripped the wheel with both hands, squeezing them and pressing on the gas pedal. I wanted her to know—I was going to explain everything. Just not like this. Not under these circumstances.

Luckily, we arrived at the precinct and saw the officers pull Jude out of the back of their car. With his hands behind his back, his shirt was stained with his blood.

“Did he hurt you?” she whispered, and my chest ached.

Turning to look at her, I knew that my face reflected only a fraction of the feelings that were tearing through me. “I’m fine.”

“Then let’s go.” Without waiting for me, she opened the door and got out. I had to race to catch up with her.

Inside, we were greeted by the team in charge; Captain Nilsson, Detective Diaz, and Officer Brown.

Leaning over to the Captain, I whispered, “I really appreciate this, but can she wait in your office for now?”

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