Page 35 of Seven

“Rooks,” Mom scolded.

It was barely a whisper, but it was enough to make him take a breath and back down. I had no idea why Rooks was so worried about the documents in Dad’s office. It wasn’t like he was a big-time politician with dark secrets he was hiding in his closet. He was a real estate lawyer.

It made no sense—unless he knew something I didn’t.

Joyner clicked his pen as he said, “I understand this is difficult, but we’re doing everything we can. I’ve got a lot of men on this, and we will find the people responsible for killing your father.”

Rooks muttered something under his breath and looked away.

I wanted to say something to ease the tension, but I just didn’t have it in me. I was too tired. We all were.

Detective Joyner asked Ford a few random questions, and that was it.

He’d left us with more questions than answers.

As we left the station, Ford reached up and took my hand. I squeezed his little fingers, feeling their warmth, and tried to convince myself that this nightmare would be over soon. But with each passing hour, the hope of answers seemed further and further away.

9

SEVEN

“Isaw where Tom Warren was murdered.”

“Yeah, I heard about that.”

“You think he was the reason I had my bad feeling?”

“There’s no telling.” It had been a couple of days since we’d last talked, and when Mom called tonight, I was hoping things had settled with her. Clearly, that wasn’t the case. “You still having it?”

“Yes, but it’s not like it was before.” She paused for a minute to think, then sighed, “More like a gnawing feeling.”

“Like the worst is yet to come?”

“Oh, I don’t know about that, but I do wonder what Tom’s death will mean for you.”

“About that…” I didn’t see any point in keeping it from her, so I told her, “I saw Tallie.”

“You did? When?”

“A couple of nights ago.”

“I thought she was still in New York.”

“She was, but she’s back now.”

“Well, how about that.” I could almost hear the wheels turning in her head. “I had no idea.”

“Neither did I until Rooks messaged me.”

“You heard from Rooks, too? I never would’ve expected that.” Before I had a chance to respond, she asked, “Well, how did it go with Tallie? Was she happy to see you? Did you guys talk things out? Are you going to see her again?”

“We didn’t really get a chance to talk. She’s got a lot on her plate with her dad and all, but I plan on seeing her again.”

Mom was there when everything went down with Tallie. She knew how hard it had been on me, so I wasn’t surprised when she asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Good. Just be careful.”

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