Page 44 of Hidden Truths

“He’s trying to get into my dad’s system?” I ask, still very confused. I know who Brad is. I know he was stalking Belle and tried to hurt her. I also know he was found guilty of attempted murder only a few months ago. My dad was looking into him just in case he somehow had any connection to Ezra. He didn’t, but this seems suspicious. “How did he get parole so early? It takes people with his charges years to even qualify.”

“What are you thinking, Firecracker?” Cal asks, watching me from where he’s leaning against the wall.

“Well, first of all, Brad clearly has some powerful connections, which we kind of already guessed, but this proves it. Second, my dad doesn’t believe in coincidences, which I’m sure he’s told you.” Cal nods. “He didn’t find any connectionsbetween Ezra and Brad before, but he also said that whoever is behind everything is powerful enough to erase records.”

“So Brad could be working for this person, and we would never know because a record wouldn’t exist,” Willa states from her seat on the couch next to Mav. I glance at him and debate how to phrase my next question.

“Maverick, your dad. He’s pretty powerful, right?” I ask as gently as I can. Senator Wolfe is on the list of suspects. He has been for a while, which is why Mav is setting up a meeting with his mom. But there is some sort of connection here I’m missing. It’s right on the edge of my brain.

“Now he is. Your dad asked the same question. He was a judge at the time Ezra went missing. He didn’t have the power he does now as a senator. Definitely not the record erasing type of power.”

“But he’s not a good guy, right?” Jo asks.

Mav looks at her with annoyance and affection. Which is honestly kind of how I look at her most days and if the topic wasn’t serious, I would probably be laughing.

“No. He’s not a good guy, but I don’t see why he would want Ezra gone,” Mav says, looking down at his hands. He’s sick of this conversation, and I think we’re honestly all sick of having it. Everyone in this room wants Ezra found and this all to be over and done with.

“He runs a very conservative campaign, and his son was dating another man,” Jo says. I elbow her. “What?”

“There’s no way my dad hasn’t asked these questions, and you don’t need to upset everyone by asking them again,” I tell her.

“I’m not trying to. I’m just hoping there’s something your dad missed that can help. Especially if there’s a crazy person who tried to murder Belle out there.”

Mav sighs and leans forward, grabbing Jo’s hand and squeezing. My eyes are locked on the action, and I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone else’s were too. Jo isn’t a physical affection type of person. I think we’ve hugged maybe twice in all our years of friendship. The fact that she’s not only letting Mav touch her, but also squeezing his hand back is alarming.

“It’s ok. Really,” Mav says. “My dad wasn’t thrilled about me dating Ezra, but he also hadn’t started his campaign to run for senator. He never asked me to break things off or anything, so I don’t see why he would go to extremes. He could’ve easily threatened me.” Mav scratches his jaw. “If he threatened Ezra, I would have left. If it was his safety at risk because of me,” Mav says, choking up. “I would have put Ezra first. I will always put Ezra first.”

I watch Jo’s eyes dim as she slowly pulls her hand back from Mav. Definitely asking her about what’s going on there later.

“Do we know where Brad is now?” I ask Belle.

“Yeah, uh,” she stutters, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “He asked to see me.”

“Fuck no. Absolutely not. Not happening.” Kai exclaims, standing and then pacing the room.

“I’m going with you,” Cal says, then turns to me. “Are you okay staying with Cora for a few days? I refuse to bring her anywhere near that psycho, but I can’t let my sister go without me either.”

“Of course,” I say immediately.

“No one is going!” Kai yells.

“Oh yeah? Try telling her that,” Cal says, gesturing to his sister.

“I’m going,” Belle tells Kai gently.

“Mo chridhe,” he pleads, his hand over his heart.

“I have to, Kai. He’s in a jail cell in Bangor right now for breaking his parole. He can’t hurt me from there, but maybe he’ll give me some answers. Answers that can help us find Ez.”

“We can leave in the morning. Just the three of us. Willa and Mav can stay here in case Harlow needs help with Cora. Dad will be here too,” Cal says, seemingly ending the meeting since everyone nods and stands to leave.

“Are you okay?” I whisper to Jo while everyone says their goodbyes.

“Yeah, just tired.”

I accept her answer, but I’ll be keeping a closer eye on her. Something is going on with her and Mav, and I don’t want her to get hurt.

I shut the door behind Jo, but when I turn around, I step face first into a solid chest.

---