Page 79 of Kept in the Dark

He shrugged and looked away. “I didn’t actually think it would go to trial, so I took the money and got clean. I’ve never had any reason to go back or to open my mouth.”

The idea that his hands were somehow clean of this mess was infuriating. Sara hurled the glass cup at Thomas. It shattered at his feet and his eyes darted between Sara and Trey, begging the Chief to step in. Gavin stood in front of her and put an arm around her waist, a wall between her and Thomas. Hailey walked toward Thomas, but Carter gently put a hand on her shoulder as Trey tried to defuse the situation, “Let’s all take a break-”

“Me being convicted of murder wasn’t enough to convince you to come forward?” Sara sneered as she fought Gavin off of her.

Thomas put his hands up in defense and took a step back, almost tripping over a toy that lay on the porch. “You pleaded guilty. I didn't want to mess up my life.”

“Right, you were just okay destroying mine.” She shook her head and started to walk toward the car but then turned around. “You know what? I'm only in this mess because of you. Drugs and alcohol weren’t even on my radar until you introduced me to them. You might be able to run from your past and act like nothing happened, but I’m still paying for your sins. So, during your next session with your little recovering addicts, why don’t you tell them about the girl whose life you completely ruined because you’re a selfish prick.”

She couldn’t stand to look at him after knowing what he had done to her. Despite him being an ass, she never thought he would stoop so low as to do something that would send her away to prison. His betrayal stung and added to the growing number of lashes she’d gotten from those who claimed to care for her.

It was clear no one could be trusted. They were all hiding something, trying to keep their secrets buried. All while she paid the price for their silence.

So, she would make it her life’s work to unveil those secrets, and she would burn down the whole damn world if she had to in order to do it.

Trey, Gavin, Hailey, and Carter followed Sara to the car, Sara seething with every step. Just before they closed the doors, Thomas called out, “Sara, I’m really sorry. If I could take it back, I would.”

Sara let out a throaty laugh. “Well, it’s a little late for that now. Don’t you think?”

With that, she slammed the door.

June 29, 2011

2:13 pm

If what Thomas said was true, then Eli knew more than he was saying. And Trey wanted to know what it was. So, armed with fury and determination, Hailey and Trey went to talk to Eli while Gavin stayed with Sara at Genevieve’s, hoping to calm her down. Carter had tagged along, trying to convince the housekeeper to bake more cookies.

At first, Trey had fought with Hailey, not wanting her to get involved. But after hearing Thomas’ admission, she refused to be sidelined. Plus, Trey knew she would do it on her own if he didn’t include her.

“Looks like they’re home,” Trey said as they pulled up to the house. Both vehicles sat in the driveway, catching the sun’s rays.

The two of them climbed out of the truck and walked up to the door and knocked. There was no movement on the other side of the wood barrier, so Trey knocked again.

Silence.

“Maybe they’re taking a nap?” Hailey said.

Trey shook his head. “I’m gonna see if they’re in the backyard.”

Trey walked around the side of the house and through the back gate. When he didn’t see them in the yard, he walked up the porch steps and peered inside through the sliding glass door.

That’s when he noticed the smoke.

“Shit,” he said as he jumped off the porch and ran around to the front of the house. Hailey’s hand was already pushing the door open as he yelled, “Hailey, no!”

Before he could stop her, she darted into danger.

He swore under his breath as he quickly went to his truck and dispatched fire and rescue. Then, he ran into the house toward the flames, hearing sirens in the distance.

Once inside, Trey called out for her but was only met with the roar of flames as they fanned up the walls and ceiling. He immediately had to crawl on his hands and knees, the smoke thick and hot. He began coughing so hard he nearly gagged.

He tried to call out for Hailey, but she didn't answer. Neither did Eli nor Loretta. All he heard was the crackling of the fire as it burned toward him.

He rounded the corner and saw a figure, arm raised, a weapon in his hand. Then, Hailey fell to the ground at the assailant’s feet. Fear gripping him, Trey tried to move quickly to protect her from the man. But the faster he moved, the more his lungs constricted, and the room spun.

He crouched close to the floor, attempting to get away from the smoke. But there was no point, it was growing and becoming wild. The fire’s flames were closing in on them.

Then, the figure raced out the back door. The cop in him wanted to run after the masked man, but he couldn’t leave Hailey. So, he let the assailant get away as he picked up her limp body and ran toward safety, pain searing through his lungs as he did.

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