Page 104 of Before Now

“Did you hear him, Remi?” When I don’t answer, Daniel continues, “They’ve already caught the bastard who did this. Some addict piece of shit who terrorizes people for money. My guys spotted him only blocks from our house, tweaked out of his mind and talking to himself.”

I didn’t think my heart could hurt more, but it further breaks for the man.

They continue telling me the man’s history of mental illness. A previous B&E charge.

Nothing worthy of this.

Tears are streaking again when Daniel grasps my arm, helping me to my feet. His fingers dig in enough to hurt before he gently rests his hand on my shoulder.

“I’m going to take her home—” His voice actually breaks, an audible inhale following. “I’m sorry she was so confused when she got here. I can’t imagine the damage this caused.” He squeezes while they talk around me.

Marlo steps in front of me as close as the night in the kitchen as he stares down at me. “You might want to have her talk to someone.”

“I’ve already called Dr. Sood.”

“A psych eval?” Julie asks sharply.

My eyes jerk up. “What?” They flash between everyone in the room, but Julie’s the only one reacting. The others are part of the choreography and all hitting their marks.

“We’ll see how she’s feeling when we get out of here,” Daniel says. “Hopefully, now that she understands what really happened, she can begin processing. We’ll keep our options open. Whatever’s best for my Remi.”

I swallow against the acid churning in my stomach, feeling utterly helpless against his performance.

“It’ll help when the trash is off the streets and behind bars.” Elvin shakes his head off to the side, but his gaze shows the lie in his disgusted expression. “It’ll help both of you, Chief.”

My heart hammers harder as Daniel escorts me out of the room, handing Julie the blanket on the way. We walk through the precinct, officers lining the corridor in respect for their grieving chief. He guides me through the lobby. Out the door. The favorites trail right behind us.

Then Marlo opens the door to Daniel’s cruiser, and I stop existing for a second.

“In you go, Remi,” he says with a nudge.

My teeth chatter, but I force myself into the car. Marlo ducks in, reaching for the seat belt, so I grab it first, not wanting him touching me. He closes me in as Daniel slides behind the wheel. He gives a nod to the two officers and turns the engine over.

As we pull out of the lot, all the adrenaline from earlier assaults me at once. No one will know the truth—at least no one who isn’t loyal. He’ll get away with it. So long as he takes care of me.

“Do I need to take you to Dr. Sood?” Daniel asks, far colder without an audience. “Or are you going to accept what really happened?”

I don’t answer. I can’t answer. My mind races through scenarios, and all I know for certain is Daniel killed her. And the worst thing that can happen now is going back to the step-house with him.

Daniel’s still talking, retelling me the story he created, trying to gaslight me when what I saw is brutally branded on my soul. I frantically scan out the windows. I need to run. I need to get out of this car and away from him.

I slowly sneak my phone out of the hem of my skirt, but Daniel pulls up to a red light and glances over.

He sighs. “I think it’s best if you give me that, Remi. You’re clearly not in your right mind, and I’d hate for you to embarrass yourself more than you already have.”

My breaths grow flimsy, the surge of adrenaline somehow spiking higher.

It all happens at once. I swing at Daniel’s face, hitting as hard as I can with my phone and unbuckling at the same time. The impact catches him off guard, so I have time to throw open the door. I scramble out of the car, a cry wrenching from me when I fumble the phone to the ground.

But I don’t have time to grab it—even if I did, he has the tracker on, and I need to run, not mess with settings.

Daniel’s cursing and shouting and out of the car. All I can do is sprint toward the park.

Going to the right place this time.

I cut through the park, and the sound of Daniel raging fades. My lungs ache by the time I reach the other side, finally letting myself check behind me.

Nothing.

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