Page 67 of Racing Hearts

“We will have to wait for the investigation,” Winchester replies. “We are asking everyone here if they knew them.”

“We didn’t see their faces,” I tell him. “I didn’t want to.”

He nods and pulls out his phone and slides it across to show two pictures side by side. They are up close photographs of the bodies, showing only their faces. “We have positive identification of them, Kenny Rogers and Dodge Kennedy. They attended this university, and their roommates reported them missing weeks ago.”

Ice flows through my veins as I stare at the images.

“I don’t know them. Sorry, it’s a big school,” Tommy admits.

“And you, Mr. Shaw?” the younger one asks.

My head snaps up as I meet his eyes. “I know them,” I say, and they both focus on me. “They were hassling Alice on her way home one night.”

“When was this?” he asks.

“Um, a few weeks ago?” I reply.

“Tuesday the fourteenth,” Alice says. “I remember because I had a meeting with a teacher just before.”

“That was the night they disappeared.” They share a look and then look back at me. “And what happened?”

“They tried to assault her, and I stepped in to stop it.” I leave Alek out, not liking how they are looking at me as it is. They would take one look at him and wouldn’t hear anything he said.

“Did you hurt them?” the younger one asks.

“No, I just stopped them. They disappeared after?”

“Evan Shaw, we need you to come with us.”

I stand, looking between them. “Why?”

“Because you might be the last person who saw them alive, and then you found the bodies. It’s suspicious,” he snaps.

“We just need to ask you some questions.” Winchester frowns at his partner and then smiles at me kindly. “Can you come with us?”

I know it’s a question, but if I protest, they won’t leave me alone. Nodding, I grab my bag and give Alice a meaningful look, telling her not to bring up Alek, and then I meet Tommy’s wide, shocked eyes. “Stay with her until her brother arrives, okay?”

“Of course, man. Are you going to be okay? Should I call someone?” he asks as the officers stop at my side to guide me out of the room.

“No need for that. It’s just an informal chat.” Winchester smiles. “You should head back to class or home. Please come to us if you hear anything.” They grab my arms.

Informal my ass.

I’m basically being arrested.

They think I had something to do with their deaths, which tells me this wasn’t suicide. This was murder.

I do throw up this time.

THIRTY-TWO

When I see all the police and the news crews, the panic I feel can’t be contained. I grab someone at random as they hurry past. “Have you seen Alice Anders and Evan Shaw?”

The girl nods. “They went inside.” She points, and I sprint up the stairs, taking them two at a time, only to run into Alice at Tommy’s side just inside the door.

Tommy nods. “Alek.”

“Alice, are you okay?” I grab her, looking her over. “Talk to me.”

---