Page 54 of What's Left of Me

“Absolutely. I’ll take you to the room. It’s not very large, so I ask only one person to accompany you, if that’s okay. Agent Rosewill be in the room with each man on the other side and me with you.”

“Noel, you go with him.” Hazel winked at me. “We’ll be right here for you when you’re done, and then we’ll go home, eat all the ice cream in the freezer, and watchTed Lasso.”

I grinned. “Sounds perfect.”

“If you and Mr. Saint will follow me, please.” Carmichael stood.

I gave Hazel a quick hug, slipped my hand in Noel’s, and followed the agent to the room.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Noel

I hated everything about this.Phoenix was being so fucking brave, but I could feel the tremors running through his body as he gripped my hand. I couldn’t imagine what he was feeling, and it was taking everything in me not to throw him over my shoulder and run out of here with him.

“Remember, they can’t see you.” Carmichael motioned to the glass.

There was nobody in the other room yet, but at any minute Rose was going to walk in with one of them.

“I know.” Phoenix swallowed; his hand was clammy, but I didn’t dare let go.

A few seconds later, Agent Rose and a police officer entered with a man. The guy wore a porcelain doll mask and was dressed exactly how Phoenix had described.

“Jesus,” Phoenix whispered, and I immediately wrapped my arms around him.

“I’m right here, baby. He won’t lay a hand on you.”

Carmichael pressed a button and spoke. “Please begin, Agent Rose.”

He handed a card to the man who read it, looked at the agent, and while I couldn’t see his face, there was no doubt he was very unhappy about all of this.

He cleared his throat before speaking “Eat all your food. I’ll return tomorrow, be quiet. Call me Adonis.”

So much for not saying anything triggering.Phoenix was still in my arms, but his face was calm as he listened.

The man handed the card back to Rose and walked closer to the glass, obviously they were instructed before they came in on what to do.

Phoenix didn’t move, but we were close enough to see the man’s eyes. The man turned as well so he could see the hair.

“Mr. Briar?”

“It’s not him.”

Carmichael hit a button. “Next.”

The police officer escorted him out and entered with another man. We went through the same thing, but Phoenix shook his head. Another came in. Five total, and when the last one left. Carmichael looked at us confused.

“None of them?”

“They aren’t who I heard.”

He scratched his head and while I wasn’t one to side with authorities, I had to admit it didn’t make sense.

“Phoenix, you said you heard the voice, though, right?”

“Noel, I swear I’m not being difficult, but the person I heard on the recording wasn’t any of those guys.”

“Are you sure? Because maybe they just sounded different in person,” Carmichael asked.

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