Page 83 of Racing Hearts

“Boyfriend, right.” He coughs. “We are aware the person is claiming to be behind the deaths?—”

“Murders, you mean?” I ask, tilting my head. “They were murdered.”

“That information isn’t available. How do you know?” the younger one asks.

“You basically told me. I’m not an idiot.” I sigh, sitting back. “I had nothing to do with it. I would never put Alice in danger, nor would I ever kill someone.”

“We know it wasn’t you.” They share a look. Maybe they are starting to figure it out. “But we are worried someone is trying to frame you.”

“Frame me? Why would anyone want to do that?” I snap.

“You tell us. Who hates you enough to do that? Evan, this is serious. You could have been charged for two counts of first-degree murder, and now there are these new stalking allegations. Someone is trying to ruin your life and get you out of the way. Why?”

The only reason that comes to mind is Alice. Whoever it is wants her, right? They killed people who hurt her and sent her flowers. The only connection I have is Alice.

But why me, and why now?

I shrug. “I have no idea. I didn’t think anyone hated me that much. There are people who don’t like me, but nothing that serious.” Standing, I pull my bag on. “Maybe instead of wasting my time and hassling me, you should find out who is behind this. Oh, and put some protection on Alice so she doesn’t get hurt in the meantime.”

“Evan.”

I stop and look back. Winchester seems worried.

“Someone like this will escalate before we stop them. We are doing everything we can, but the truth is, we are in the dark. Be careful. If they are trying to frame you and it fails . . . who knows what they will do.”

Comforting thought.

Nodding, I head toward the workshop, but I’m distracted and not in the mood to make small talk. Instead, I find myself hanging out in the library, pulling my phone out and texting Autumn.

This is getting out of hand. We need to know who is behind this. She mentioned her brother. He has to know something, right?

Autumn: I tried, Evan. He won’t talk to me at all. All he said was that it was bad and it’s buried for a reason. I’m worried.

Evan: Me too.

Autumn: I’ll keep digging and let you know if I find anything.

Evan: Thanks.

Gnawing my lip, I dial Alek’s number.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” he asks. There’s a clattering sound and voices before I hear his footsteps. “Are you okay? Is Alice?”

“I’m worried, Alek,” I admit. “Alice is fine, and so am I, but the police were here again.”

He swears, and I hear rummaging. “I’m on my way?—”

“They’ve left, but the shit they said . . .” I rub my face. “Alek, this is worse than we thought.”

“I’m on my way. Meet me at our spot,” he snaps, and then his voice softens. “I’m coming, okay? Just hold on.”

Nodding, I hang up.

I tell him everything. He’s silent the entire time, turned in the driver’s seat to see me. Neither of us want to leave Alice, so we are in our spot outside the art building—private but close.

“Shit, Evan,” he growls. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Honestly, I wanted to be wrong, but I’m not, and now with what they said, I think whoever it is wants me out of Alice’s life. What if they are right? What if they come after me when they can’t frame me? Or worse, after her?”

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