Page 16 of The Obsession

Mendez nodded encouragingly.

I looked down and lowered my voice, because I was speaking ill of the dead and I was nothing if not respectful. “He’s been drinking a bit more lately.” It was true. Four nightly whiskey sours now, instead of his usual two. I’d never thought to wonder why, assuming it was a natural progression of the way things were. Maybe I was wrong.

“Hmm.”

What does “hmm” mean?

I couldn’t read her expression. I was so outmatched. I was some noob trying to play a pro-level game. All of my instincts were poised, ready for her next question.

Mendez opened her mouth. “Did you—”

“Dee!”

Our heads snapped up. Mom was home, her cheeks red, her eyes wet, and already she was flying toward me, her arms outstretched, andwhat was Mendez about to ask?

But I had to act the part. I had to call out to her in my so-glad-to-have-Mommy-back voice, “Mom!” and then fall into her arms.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Mendez said as Mom and I hugged.

I watched her leave over Mom’s shoulder, her last words haunting me, the unfinished question so close to an accusation.

Did you—

Chapter Six

Logan

On Sunday night, I sat in my room with my headphones on as usual, transferring the latest recordings from my hidden camera. I had quite a few videos by now, all saved in a secret folder on my laptop, and I couldn’t wait to see what gems the past few days’ worth of recording would give me.

There was a knock on my door a second before it swung open. I barely had time to slam my laptop closed before Matt and Josh barged in.

I pulled off my headphones.Careful, don’t show too much anger. That’s not “normal.”If they noticed anything off about me and told the school counselor…

I really should remember to start locking my door.

“Remember that cop who was hanging around here?” Matt said.

“Yeah?” I said. That would be Brandon, the very guy I was trying to take down.

“He died.”

Wait.

“Yep, says online he was working on his car and his jack failed.” Matt brought his palms together and said, “Splat.”

“You’re talking about Detective Brandon Jackson?” I said.

Matt nodded.

“Holy shit.” I shook my head slowly. No way. “Holy shit!”

Josh, who was checking out his imaginary chin fuzz in my mirror, said, “Pretty shitty way to go. Oh, hey, isn’t he some chick’s dad? That Korean girl, whazzername.”

“Half-Singaporean,” I said. “And he’s not her dad. He’s just dating her mom.”

They both stared at me.

Why had I said that? Under the table, my fingernails began digging into my leg. I’d never mentioned Delilah to anyone, never wanted to call attention to how much attention I paid her. Especially since I wasn’t ready to make my move. She was so shy, I couldn’t just—

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