Page 47 of Hidden Truths

“He was trying to help the girl with her bags. Don’t twist it.”

I had to hold my breath, so I didn’t say something and mess up the recording Jo was taking of all this.

“The security footage shows otherwise,” Mav says. “What’s wrong, Mother? You look pale.”

“I have no knowledge of any security footage.”

“I’ve seen it.”

“Your father wouldn’t have to go to extremes if you would just get in line!” she hisses. “You’ve had your rebellious stage. Now it’s time to come back home.”

“Tell me what Dad did to Ezra, and I’ll do it. I’ll quit the band today and move back into my old room.”

There’s another pause. I look at Jo and Willa. Their eyes are just as wide as mine and we’re all holding our breaths.

“Ezra is dead. Ask the police. Stop blaming your father because your little friend died.” I flinch at the coldness in her voice.

“Why? Why do you protect him? He hits you, Mom,” Mav pleads with her.

Of course, she scoffs.

“We argue. That’s it.”

“We’re done.” Mav says, and there’s the sound of a chair being pushed back. “Did you guys get that?” he asks us a few moments later.

Willa quickly takes her phone off mute. “We got it, Mav.”

“I’ll be home in an hour.”

The line goes dead and we’re all standing around, staring at Willa’s phone.

“Do we think she was saying Ezra is dead because that’s the official ruling or because she knows her husband killed him?” Jo asks. I wince at her direct words. She really needs to work on that.

“She didn’t scoff,” I say.

“What?” Willa asks.

“She made a scoffing noise whenever she lied or tried to redirect. She didn’t when she said Ezra was dead.”

“So he’s dead?” Willa asks, tears forming in her eyes.

“She believes he is, at least. I don’t think that’s proof he is.” I bite my lip to keep from speaking more. The person closest tothe man we think did something to Ezra thinks he’s dead. It’s more information than we’ve had in months and it’s not good.

“What are you thinking?” Jo asks.

“Gavin Irons,” I answer.

“What about him?” Willa asks, wiping under her eyes.

“If he loved Ezra enough to either find him or maybe eventually avenge him, he has to love Kai that much too.”

“Breadcrumbs,” Jo says, reading my mind.

“You think Gavin left breadcrumbs for Kai to follow?” Willa asks, and I’m happy she’s following. “But he called Kai and told him to stop looking.”

“He called Kai on an unsecure line.”

“I didn’t know that,” Willa says.

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