Page 48 of Hollow

“Great, so the center’s safe,” I say, “but they’ll still tear apart everything else looking for him. Including this greenhouse.”

“They won’t find anything here,” Damiano says like it’s a fact.

“You’re sure?” I scan the space, looking for anything out of place. “Nothing that might connect either of you to Liam?”

Briar looks to Damiano, a flicker of worry crossing her face.

“It’s handled,” he says firmly. “Burned the clothes, cleaned the area. Even got rid of the gardening tools we used.”

The kettle whistles, and he makes tea in silence, handing us each a mug before leaning against the workbench. The three of us form a triangle in the small space, steam rising from our cups, nobody speaking for a long moment.

“So what now?” Briar asks.

“Now you stick to the story,” Damiano directs. “Party got out of hand. You went to bed early. Never met Liam Bastian.”

“And if these ex-military guys want to search my house?”

“Let them,” Damiano says. “Nothing to find there.”

“What about you two?” Her eyes move between us. “They’re going to question everyone who was at the party.”

“We were all at the party,” I say, “but after that, I had an early shift at The Vault and plenty of people saw me there today, hungover but working.”

“And I came back to the greenhouse after helping clean up,” Damiano adds. “Normal routine.”

Briar nods, absorbing this. “So we just... wait it out?”

“For now.” I take a drink of the tea and grimace at the bitter herbal taste. “But Viktor’s not going to stop. Even when the trail goes cold.”

“He will eventually,” Damiano says. “Even Viktor can’t search forever. We know this.”

I’m not so sure about that. I’ve seen the look in Viktor’s eyes when he talked about his brother. That wasn’t just concern. That was obsession. He’s already lost one brother. He’s not going to let this island claim another.

“Someone needs to keep an eye on the search parties,” I say. “Make sure they don’t get too close to the center of the maze. I’ll stay here tonight.”

“I can help,” Briar offers.

“No,” Damiano and I say at the same time.

“You need to be in the main house,” I continue. “Present. Visible. Normal rich girl recovering from throwing a wild party.”

“I’m not just going to sit there while you two risk?—”

“Yes, you are,” Damiano says. “The more you involve yourself now, the more suspicious it looks.”

She doesn’t like it but doesn’t argue further.

“Fine,” she says eventually, setting down her tea. “You’re right. I should be at the house if anyone comes looking.” She stands reluctantly. “But I want updates. I need to know what’s happening.”

Damiano reaches for his shirt. “I’ll walk you.”

“No.” I stand up. “I’ll take her. You stay here and keep an eye out for any search parties getting too close to the maze. I don’t want you to accidentally meet up with Viktor alone.”

Something passes between Damiano and me—an old tension, a new understanding. He nods once.

Briar looks between us, clearly sensing something’s up but not quite understanding it. “I can find my way back alone.”

“With search parties all over the grounds? Not a chance.” I grab a flashlight from Damiano’s workbench. “Let’s go.”

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