Page 5 of The Savior

Anxiety drummed quietly in her chest. Nothing he was doing was normal, even if over the last few months, he’d become even more of a grouch.

What could be so serious? Maybe he’d been transferred? Though their boss Calhoun would never let Mac leave. They had an advantageous relationship. Calhoun always had a Yes Man on staff, and Mac could count on his ever-increasing authority—even if he did have to deal with her and Zee Zee. Even with Calhoun’s help, Mac might even blame Chelsea for slowing his ascent of upward promotions.

Or maybe Chelsea was overthinking their dynamic.

Mac slapped the spot next to him on the bench, and hesitantly, Chelsea sat down.

“Were you working? Or getting…” He gestured blankly. “Pictures or something?”

She was sure that Mac thought writing a book with Julia was a joke. He wasn’t keen on true-crime reporters, which was what Julia did in addition to working on their Zee Zee Mars book, and he would make bad jokes about how Chelsea could play Zee Zee if their agent ever sold the movie rights. He somehow thought their dark hair and noses were similar.

“I always thought that Calhoun was batshit,” Mac said, “letting you do whatever you want.”

She tried to bite her tongue but corrected him. “I can’t dowhatever I want.”

He snorted. “I thought that yourresearchwould get you and Julia killed.”

“Zee Zee has never killed anyone.”

“Not yet,” he said.

“Not yet,” she admitted. At the rate the explosions were coming, increasing in size, spreading out across the country, Zee Zee would slip up. Someone would die. “You’re right.”

“Fuck.” He dropped his head and shook it.

“What?” She’d never seen him gut-shot before. “Mac?”

“There was a shooting. As soon as I heard about it, I headed your way.”

Her stomach bottomed out. “Who? What happened?”

Mac’s brow knitted. “Tonight, on the Metro.”

Her mind raced. Terrorist attack? Random violence? “What happened?”

“Julia was shot.”

Chelsea faltered. She hadn’t understood. That didn’t make sense. Julia was on a date. “Mac?”

“I’m sorry.” He pursed his lips then braced a hand on her shoulder. “Julia died.”

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