Page 27 of Breakaway

“Yes,” I choke out, rubbing my eyes.

“What else?” he presses.

I study him and shake my head. “I thought it would keep me safe. That it was my insurance. I heard that kind of talk my whole life.” I look at Turk. “Where’s my backpack?”

“I’ll get it.”

When he returns, I dump the contents on the table, rip up the bottom, and pull out two small softback booklets and hand them to Joel. “There was a loose floorboard in my mother’s closet. I’d seen her go into it before and asked her what was in it. She said it was precious stuff she’d show me someday when I was older.

“I found four photos. My mom, dad and I were in the pictures. There were also two diaries. I didn’t have a lot of time and assumed they were what they said. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized that they were my stepdads kill books and how much he made for each one. The diaries were generic and I found the same ones at a nearby store. I duplicated the information and snuck the copies back into the hiding place.”

“How did you know they were kills?” Clark asks.

“My stepdad would brag about how cleaver he was. How he could make death look natural or like suicide when he wanted to. I recognized one of the names of the hit he’d been especially proud of in the book.”

Clark pulls out his phone. “What’s the address of your old house?” I give it to him.

“Caitlyn, your mom and stepdad were murdered ten years ago, correct?” Joel asks as he studies one of the books.

“Yes.”

He looks up. “Caitlyn, this second book was not your stepfather’s. I recognize two of these names from two years ago. A husband killed his wife then committed suicide. I was backup on the case. I disagreed with the lead detective’s conclusion. This is your stepbrother’s book. He must have known the hiding place, too.

“He’s been into that hiding place before. He’s retrieved the books or will go there at some point. He’ll realize the photos are gone.” Turk looks at me. “You’re in even more danger than we thought.”

“The new owners closed on the house Saturday,” Clark looks up from his phone. “He knows.”

CHAPTER 15

Turk

“How does he contact you?”

“His man shows up on the assigned night and picks up the money at closing time at the diner. If there’s a change that’s when I find out. I never gave him a phone number.

“Wait, this week there was a note in my locker telling me I had to make my payment early because of the away game or the price would double.”

“Baylor,” Clark and I say at the same time. “And because of Baylor he will also have your number.”

“Check your phone. See if you have any messages.”

Cat pulls it from her backpack and glances at the screen. “It’s dead. I didn’t charge it.”

“Give me the cable and I’ll plug it in.” I turn back to the room. “Information is everything to these guys,” Clark says. “Because of Baylor, he’ll know that Tatum is her best friend. I’ll go get her.”

“No. I’m the wild card. I’ll take this one,” Mel cuts in. He stands and crosses to Cat. “Take a selfie of the two of us. And another with all of us. She’ll also recognize me from the game.Text her the photos and tell her I’m on my way and not to go with anyone else.”

“She’s at work. The coffee shop on Briar. You know the one,” Cat says.

“Clark, contact Leslie, tell her to pack a bag, she’s staying with you. Go pick her up.”

“What about the rest of the team? Would he…” Cat asks. “Baylor will have all their info?”

Dad chimes in. “I’m headed to the D.A.’s. Get them to Clark’s for now, and I’ll arrange for a safe house. You boys, arm up and stay sharp.”

I walk with Dad to the door. His words are meant to calm me. “It’s going to be alright son. I know who we can trust.”

“A lot of people to watch over. And I know she’s feeling guilty.”

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