Page 88 of Fracture

“Hi there, you’re calling early,” I reply, trying to keep my voice bright and not let it waver.

“Yes, I’m sorry about that. But, um, listen… Stella, are you alright? Are you safe right now?”

I blink at my reflection. “I’m still at home, do you need me at the office right now?”

“No, that’s the last thing we need right now.”

“Sir, I don’t understand what you’re telling me.”

“Stella, I need you to get somewhere safe right now, I’ve called the police and they’re on the way to your house.” He takes a deep breath, and panic sends a cold sweat prickling across my top lip. “The office received a threat this morning, an envelope and a phone call. Someone threatened to shoot everyone in the office if you entered the premises. There was a bullet with your name engraved on it in the envelope.”

My knees threaten to buckle, and I catch myself on the counter. “Oh my god. Clark, I - I’m so sorry, is everyone safe?”

“They’re fine, honey, I promise you, we’re all fine.” The fact that my stoic boss is calling me honey, his voice full of almost paternal concern, tells me just how fucking spooked he is. “I called the police immediately, and they’re on their way to you, like I said. I just want you to be safe.”

“OK, I’ll - I’ll let them in. I just… I don’t know what could have caused this.”

“This isn’t your fault, I promise.” Clark’s voice wavers a little, and I can hear commotion in the background. “I need to go, but I’ll be in touch. The office is closed for now, and until you talk to the police, I think you should just take some time off.”

“Of course, I’ll take unpaid leave, I’m so sorry for all this, sir.” My palm is sweating, my phone slipping from my grasp so I have to readjust, my stomach threatening to empty the three cups of coffee I drank straight down the sink. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, please, just… Be safe. I need to go, the FBI just arrived. If you need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate. We’re all here for you.”

I hang up without saying another word, because I don’t think I can.The FBI. Everything feels like it’s careening out of control, and fast.

As quickly as I bring up Mallory’s number, I swipe it away again. What if her phone’s being monitored? Maybe Dylan and Levi are right, and I’ll just put her in more danger if I call her. And since someone left my name on a bullet…

My coffee comes up. I wretch into the bathroom sink until I’m sweating and shaking.

I hadn’t understood it when Oswald had put a plea bargain in front of me. I’d been confused by me having to agree to anything. I’d told him to go fuck himself. But then he’d told me there were people who had an interest in keeping me quiet, and only he could protect me. The powerful senator, who only had his grandson’s best interests at heart.

I look at my pale reflection, and it all starts to make sense.

Gloria and Oswald have something to do with this, I’m sure of it. Whatever protection they were offering me, they’ve withdrawn it now.

I jump at the sound of my doorbell, inhaling deeply through my nose to calm myself.

The man and woman at the door are dressed in suits, their badges on display. Detectives. They nod through the glass, the woman smiling reassuringly. I open the door slowly, hoping I don’t look like an absolute mess.

“Hi, Stella Langford?” The woman asks, and I nod slowly. “I’m Detective Hawkins, and this is my partner Detective Fallon.”

“Hi, my boss said he’d sent you over.”

“That’s right. We have reason to believe a threat has been made against you, and wanted to ask you a few questions if that’s alright?” Her reassuring smile is back.

“Sure.” I step back, letting them into the house, and as I close the door, I see my neighbors standing on their front lawn, watching intently as these two cops walk into my house. The rumor mill is going to be running wild, I’m sure. They probably suspect the two tattooed men living with me are up to no good.

And they wouldn’t be entirely wrong.

I clench my eyes shut, feeling more and more tangled with every passing second.

“Miss Langford?” Detective Fallon’s voice sounds behind me. “Are you alright?”

I inhale sharply and push the door closed before turning to face them. “I’m fine, thank you.” I gesture to the kitchen, and they walk in ahead of me. “Just a little shaken up, I guess.”

“Completely understandable,” Detective Hawkins says. “Is it alright if we sit down? You look a little pale.”

I nod, wordlessly sitting down at the kitchen table as the detectives take a seat opposite me.

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