Page 49 of Muted

Sighing, I tap my thumbs on the steering wheel, briefly regretting sharing her business with someone else. I convince myself it’s alright because shedidlie, knowing full well that we were running a check. Plus, she doesn’t have a criminal record, so clearly if she’s hiding, it’s not due to a legal issue.

“Prior address was made up, job references with fake phone numbers, listed the wrong school she attended, along with being a graduate. Shedidgo to school, but never graduated. Basically, everything from before she walked in for her interview.”

Officer Mercer is quiet for a moment, and I can hear him clicking something.

“What’s her name?”

“Susanna Walston.”

“Birthday?”

Groaning, I drop my head back on the seat. “I don’t have any other information. I made the call sort of spontaneously.”

He chuckles through the phone. “Listen, there’s not a lot of information I can give you without putting in a request. If you’ve got the ability to run a background check, then I’m sure you had her sign some sort of release for information. As it stands, I can only give you what’s available to the public. Give me your email address and I’ll send you our contacts and how to request an information release. I will say this, when I typed in her name, I am seeing some things I think it might be worth looking in to.”

Jesus.

“Is it something I should be concerned about?” I ask, worried that maybe I have underestimated the situation with her.

“No, not in the way you think. I really can’t say anything else… Hold on,” he says, and I hear him clicking rapidly, then typing on his keyboard. “Okay, sorry. I just wanted to read a bit more. I emailed you my personal contact. Send the request back to me. I’d like to help you out with this.”

An uneasy feeling settles around me as I pull up to Susu’s building. She’s waiting on the steps as always, even with me being over twenty minutes late.

“Listen, Officer Mercer. I need to go, but I very much appreciate your help. I’ll get back in touch with you as soon as I can.” I hold a finger up to Susu, asking her wordlessly to wait a moment. She stops and stands about ten feet from my car, awkwardly looking around.

I can hear the smile in his voice. “Officer Vincent Mercer. I’ll look for your email. Have a nice day.”

“You too,” I say, and then end the call.

I meet Susu’s eyes and jerk my head for her to get in the car. We both watch each other as she moves closer, me looking for hidden reasons to explain her lies. She’s confused by whatever she’s reading on my face.

Her scent washes over me as she climbs inside, setting her bag at her feet. Taking a deep breath, I let go of my concern and decide I’ll approach her when I have answers. Or more questions.

Chapter 14

Arsenal

Theo

Me: Send me something you’ve written.

Susu: Hello…

Snickering, I lay on my bed in my darkened room, squinting at the bright screen of my phone. It was pretty demanding of me, and common courtesy would have been to greet her first. I’m not a patient man, though.

Me: Sorry. Hi Susu. Would you please send me something you’ve written? Whatever you’re currently working on.

Susu: *attachment sent*

Love and pain, wrapped like twin threads,

Where you took me, where you annihilated me,

Where you turned me red.

Love and pain, woven into a delicate braid,

You never loved me, you only stood above me,

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