Page 166 of Always Us

“I didn’t say I was killing anyone. I’m just trying to expose them. Let their actions be known so they can’t keep doing these things.”

“You really think that’s how this works?”

“What do you mean?”

I can’t say this over the phone. He’s probably recording this conversation.

“Where are you right now?”

“I’m sitting outside your house.”

“You’re kidding me, right?”

“I’m parked on the street.”

I sigh. “Get out of your car and go stand at the gate. I’m going out there, and after this, we’re done talking. I don’t want to hear from you ever again.”

I end the call and grab my coat from the closet, then go in the study and get the wand-like device that checks for listening devices. My dad left it in there after he checked our clothes.

I go outside and down to the gate. Carson’s standing there, wearing jeans, a black coat, and a baseball cap. He does look young for his age. He’s a big guy, but his face looks young, which is why he could pass for a college freshman.

“Where’s your phone?” I ask him.

He holds it up.

“Go put it in your car.”

“I’m not recording you, Garret.”

“Yeah, like I’m really going to trust you.”

He goes back to his car and tosses the phone on the front seat, then comes back.

“Now stand right next to the gate.”

He does, and I run the wand over him. It doesn’t go off.

“And you think I’m the one who’s paranoid?” he asks.

“You’ve made it clear you have an agenda. I’m not letting you record me so you can twist my words to fit whatever story you plan to tell the media.”

“So why did you come out here? Why are you even talking to me?”

“Because I want this to end. My family doesn’t need this stress. My dad just got divorced and my sister, Lilly, isn’t handling it well. It’s a rough time for both of them and they don’t need you and Hanniford and whoever else you’re working with causing them even more stress.”

“I’m sorry about your dad’s divorce but this issue is larger than that. I can’t give up on this, Garret. I need justice for my sister.”

“You’re not getting justice. Harassing my family and following us around won’t bring your sister back.”

“No, but I’ll feel good knowing I took down the people who did that to her.”

“You don’t know who did it to her. You’re just guessing. Making up theories with no evidence to support them.”

“It’s not just a theory. She had proof the last election was rigged. And I know it’s some type of secret society that’s behind it.”

I pause, trying to figure out how to say this without giving too much away. “Let’s just say, hypothetically, that some secret group existed and that they were able to somehow control things.”

“Like elections.”

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