Page 87 of Trigger

“Yeah,but don’t you get it? Those are the people you surround yourself with.Incompetents, bullies, and pardon me for saying it, Shelly is a nice girl,drunks.”

“That’senough, Vic. You’re talking about the people I care about.”

“Yeah,but what about me? You don’t let me in, Carter.”

“That’snot true.”

Vicraised her chin in defiance. “Shelly is in love with you. What do you have tosay about that?”

Ilowered my gaze. What was I supposed to say? Because I knew it. Deep downinside, I knew it.

“I’mnot responsible for other people's feelings, Vic. And besides, Tye likesShelly, so…”

Vickylaughed. “Tye and Shelly? Oh, give me a break.”

Ifrowned in confusion.

“Whatis that supposed to mean?”

“Idon’t know who Tye likes, but it’s certainly not Shelly. Please, let’s just…let’s think about us for a moment. As the future mayor of this town, do youthink it’s smart for you to hang out with those people? They have no prospects,Carter, unlike you. As the future mayor—”

“Stopsaying that!” I shouted. “Have you ever asked me if I want to be a fuckingmayor, Vic? You and your family, and your money, and your fucking connections.You think you can make people do whatever you want, but I’m not one of them.”

Shegasped, clutching her hand to her chest in shock.

“Oh,my God, Carter. You never spoke to me like this before. What has gotten intoyou?”

I madea face, regretting every single word I’d said. I didn’t want to hurt her. Ididn’t want to hurt anyone.

“I’msorry, Vic. I truly am,” I said, rubbing my chest as if it would help with thepressure inside me.

Vic’ssmile was bitter. “It’s them, isn’t it? They turned you against me, just like Ithought they would. And you have changed, especially since that buffoondownstairs showed up.”

“Ihaven’t changed, Vic. And I’m sorry if I offended you. It wasn’t my intention.”

Sheraised her hand in dismissal, her expression stony.

“You’renot getting away that easily, Mister. You said terrible things to me. Terrible.And just so that you know, I have invested a lot in this relationship, Carter.I was a business major before I started to work in fashion, so I’m not a foolyou take me for.”

“Vicky,please.”

Sheheaded to the door as I followed her, not knowing what to say to make it all goaway.

“I’mleaving tomorrow,” she said, sniffling. “We’re going skiing. To Crans-Montana,probably. Don’t call me, because I won’t answer.”

“Ireally am sorry.”

“Youknow what? I don’t think you are. But you will be.”

Chapter 18

The Dead End

Thorsen

“Whatelse can you tell us about Sophie?” Carter asked the man sitting on the sofaacross from him as I circled the room. One glance at my surroundings told mewhat I already knew—a single man lived here. Not a very hygienic one.

“Idon’t know what else to say.” The man replied. He was short and buffed, with areceding hairline and fidgety eyes, but not because he was hiding something. Hesimply didn’t like people bigger than him because he was a former boxingchampion. And I was bigger than him.

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