Page 32 of Perfect Sin

“I doubt it. There were never any pictures of me. I didn’t see doctors unless they were working for Damien. I didn’t go to school. There wasn’t a single record of my existence from the moment I was taken. Plus, I was so young, I have no memory of being kidnapped.”

“I was afraid of that. Still, if we find evidence of other crimes, we can use your testimony to show a pattern of behavior.”

“We could still get him on shooting Ted,” I offer.

He nods, but the gesture lacks conviction. “Finding Jess’s body would be better. Otherwise, all we are doing is putting a bigger target on Ted than he’s already lived with since he was fifteen.”

The truck rumbles into the garage. Raven and Lucien enter through the connecting door carrying bags of groceries. I rush out to grab the rest of them from the bed of the truck.

“What are you up to?” I ask when I notice the anxious expression on her face.

She bites her lip. “I’m going to make a late lunch.”

“Why are you being secretive about cooking?” I ask.

She smiles when the sound of a car pulls into the driveway. “Would you get that?”

Confused, but unable to deny her anything, I go answer the door before anyone even knocks. Jen helps Ted amble his way up to the door.

“Are you supposed to be out of the hospital?”

“Good to see you too,” he replies.

I take his weight from Jen and help him over to the couch.

“Jen called me earlier and let me know he was being released. She knew Shane was in class, and Ford’s phone was off. I decided we should throw a welcome home party for him,” Raven explains.

“They let me register for classes late,” he says with the ghost of a smile on his face. “Guess who has English with you and Raven?”

“That’s actually pretty lucky,” I reply.

He quickly realizes something is up. “Oh, and why’s that?”

“Jesse is in their class,” Ford supplies.

“Mother fucker!” he shouts then grasps his stomach. “I’m not allowed to return to class for a few more weeks. I’ve arranged to do distance learning so I don’t fall behind.”

“I think I can manage until you come back.” I might commit homicide in the middle of English class, but Jesse would be managed.

“You can’t kill him, Sin,” Holbrook rebukes me.

“I know the guy hit on me, but I shut him down. It’s hardly a reason to kill anyone,” Raven says and rolls her eyes.

“Jesse? The rapist Jesse?” Jen asks, her eyes wide.

“Unfortunately,” Shane tells her.

“Maybe you should just let him kill the bastard,” she grumbles.

Shane shakes his head. “I think you guys are having a negative effect on my girlfriend.”

“Really? I rather like how bloodthirsty she’s becoming,” I tease them.

“I want to train with Raven,” she blurts out. “No one is going to ambush me again.”

“Probably not a bad idea,” Ford agrees with her.

There’s a timid knock at the door, ending the conversation. I go back to see who it is. I look through the window and open the door.

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