Page 120 of Muted

“Agreed. Thank God Arthur has no idea where she’s been or where she’s gone to. If anything, we can be relieved about that at least.”

There it is.

I think I’m going to vomit.

“Cliff knew about her grandfather!” I shout into the phone, pressing my foot on the gas to make it to the police station faster.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck everything about this entire goddamn situation.My stomach is rolling like a ship about to capsize in a storm. I seriously think I’m going to puke.

Theo’s voice is low and full of warning when he responds, his words slow and menacing. “The fuck are you talking about?”

“When I walked into the bar yesterday, I was furious, but it just hit me what he said to her. ‘You’ll be able to pocket enough when you run again from grandpa.’ He knew about Arthur Walston.” I’m breathing hard, my adrenaline racing through my veins as the sign for the precinct finally comes into view.

Theo’s breathing is matched to mine, and I know I’ve fucked up royally when he actually sounds fearful as he digs the knife in deeper.

“She knew. That’s why she asked me to take Cliff’s phone. She fucking KNEW.”

“That’s why she ran. She’s afraid he was going to come find her. I’m here. I’ll let them know we need to watch him. Tell Vance to fly her family here. They need to report their theory on Laura. Then you get your ass here too. Susu isn’t going to go back there.”

Whipping my car into a parking spot, I shove it into park, listening to Theo curse up a storm on the other end of the phone call.

“I’ll call him. Keep me updated,” he growls out, then hangs up the phone.

Grabbing my keys, I run into the police station while texting Vincent I’m here and need to see him immediately.

It’s only a couple of minutes before a tall, lean, dark-haired man walks hurriedly into the front corridor. He looks like one of those preppy, pretty boys. I drop my eyes to his nametag and feel my shoulders sag. “Officer Mercer?”

I know he can see how panicked I am, so he nods quickly. “Chester,” he greets me, holding out a hand. “What’s happened?”

“You still keeping eyes on her grandfather?” I ask, my head screaming pleas he is. Then my racing heart literally stops when he shakes his head slowly.

“No, we pulled them last night for the evening. Lieutenant was going to send someone out again this afternoon when we had an available car. What’s happening?”

His eyes are bouncing all over my face in concern, then he waves me to follow him into the back.

“My partner. I’m positive he’s told that asshole everything. And there’s so much more than that. He’ll find her.”

Chapter 34

Censored

Susu

~The Night Before ~

Arriving back in town is bittersweet. There’s a clawing pain crawling up my spine and wrapping around my throat like a suffocating presence set on ending me. But I’m also home.

One night. That’s all I need. I want to feel my family’s love and support wrapped around me for one fucking night before I take off again.

It’s risky, I know, but I’m banking on the fact that Cliff was arrested and too distracted to let my grandfather know I was there.Even ifhe told him, I can’t fathom any way he would know I’d come back here.

Hiding in the viper’s den might be the best decision I made over the past few months. Not getting attached to three men who would only suffer from my past and mental trauma.

A flash of pain slices through me when I remember how Chester looked at me today. Nothing but disgust and hatred, believing I’d betrayed him.

But you did betray him, didn’t you?

Ignoring the voice criticizing me, I lift the false stone near the backdoor to find the spare key. The lock was always finicky, but I jiggle it at just the right angle and feel it give way. I cringe when the hinges scream loudly from disuse. Uncle Ronnie would have been beside himself if he heard that. The pride he took in our home was always heartwarming, even if he got annoying from time to time.

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