Page 111 of Muted

“I think I know who’s looking for her.” His brief answer straightens my spine. I cast a glance toward the woman riding in the passenger seat, where she’s still staring out the window. At first glance, she seems like she’s off in her own world, but when I drop my eyes to her hands, I notice the way her knuckles are white from how hard she’s wringing her fingers together.

Reaching over, I cover them with my hand and give her a reassuring squeeze. When she looks at me, I whisper, “Sorry, it’ll only be another few minutes.” Her fragile smile looks brittle when she looks up at me, then back at the window.

“Can you give me more details?” I ask Vincent.

“The report I found has her written statement. I think her grandfather, her father’s father, is who she claims attacked her that night.” I jerk my head back, surprised that it’s a family member who’s got her running, and I’m so glad that he keeps going so I don’t have to ask anything else. I’m not surewhatI could say right now without her knowing what we’re talking about, and I’m so fucking furious on her behalf.

“Susanna said that when she arrived at home, he was waiting for her outside. He threatened her and blamed her mother for his son’s death, stating that he wanted her gone. She sustained some injuries before she was able to free herself from him.”

My mind whirls, trying to put it all together.Why the fuck would her grandfather blame her for shit that happened twenty years ago?

“It doesn’t make sense to me, but I have some suspicions that I want to talk with my lieutenant about first before I say more. I will say that her grandfather owns this fucking town and if he’s got issues with her, it would explain why these reports have been wiped. I also can’t tell if he’s actually dangerous because there’s nothing else in his records. His nose is clean. Although he WAS questioned about Laura Evan’s disappearance.”

Laura Evans, Susu’s mom.

I choose my words carefully. “Do we think that’s a possibility?”

“Maybe. That’s why I want to talk to my boss. He was there when she went missing, but the file was eventually closed as just a woman who took off.”

“What do you think?” I ask him, unable to keep the questions from pouring out.

“I think… I think he knows what happened to her.”

We’re both quiet as we process what he just said. “Fuck,” I finally mumble, and Susu jerks her head toward me, hearing the heat in my voice. Reaching out to soothe her, I run a hand down the back of her head, enjoying the silky feel of her hair as I respond. “Just talk to him when you can and let me know. You mind if I call you later? We’re almost at work.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I’m certain that she’s okay there for now. I’ll see if I can find out more, but Chester?”

“Yeah?”

“Keep an eye on her. He’s got pull. If he’s the one she’s running from...”

Vincent doesn’t need to say more. I get it. Her grandfather’s got pull and people in his pocket. “Got it. Thanks for calling, man.”

“No problem. I’ll be in touch.”

We say our goodbyes and I hang up the phone. Susu is quiet as she continues to stare out the window. My hand is still over hers, so I thread our fingers together and pull her arm toward me to kiss the back of her hand. “Sorry about that,” I say, but she only shrugs without looking at me.

The rest of our trip to work is quiet and slightly tense. Once I park, she slips her hand free and hurries inside. Giving her a few minutes, I sit in my car and send a text to Theo.

Me: She told me about last night. I also got a call from that officer I mentioned I’ve been talking to and got a little more information. I know we said we weren’t going to pass information back and forth, but I think this is important. You coming in soon?

Theo: I’m already on my way in. Just needed to swing home to shower. There in 10.

Me: I’ll be in the lot out back to wait for you. Give her a few minutes to herself.

Waiting for Theo, I lean my head against the headrest and run over the information Vincent gave me. Without the extra details, my mind is running rampant over what he could have done that would have scared her so badly and made her that desperate to leave.

I want to ask her, and I decide not to wait on Theo. Sending another quick text, I let him know just to meet me in the office, then I get out of the car and head inside.

I’m barely through the door when I hear Cliff.When the fuck did he get here? His car isn’t out back.

“…told you. I appreciate all your help.”

Slowing down my steps, I peek around the corner and see her hand him a stack of cash before she bends over and starts writing in the accounting books.

What the fuck is going on?

He counts the cash she just gave him, which I assume is the deposit from our last night open. Pulling out a portion of it, he drops it on the table, and she eyes it warily. I feel relieved that she doesn’t touch it until Cliff continues.

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