Page 96 of Saint

Albeit permanently.

“That’s the last time you saw Liam?” Captain Evans asks, the hint of confusion still on his face.

I nod.

“He left you on the side of the road?”

Every question is a land mine, and I could step on it instead of covering up for Kole, but the need to protect him is overwhelming.

“Yes. Kole took me home.”

Captain Evans stares at me, thinking for a long moment as the clock on the wall ticks. At least it’s no longer hammering as I steady my breath.

“All right.” He nods. “Thank you for your time. You can go.”

“Why didn’t you just ask Kole?”

He’s halfway to standing, and I should let it go. But I can’t help my curiosity. With all the things Kole knows about me, being in a room with his stepfather makes me realize how little I know about him.

“I already did.” Captain Evans stands, brushing his hands over his sleeves as he looks down at me. “It was nice to meet you, Violet.”

He nods in punctuation to our conversation, and I hurry out the door before he can change his mind and stop me.

Part of me expects I’ll be tackled as I try to leave the station, but the officers don’t so much as glance myway.

I walk slowly. I pretend nothing’s wrong. I don’t let them see that I just lied for someone who has killed multiple people.

And all the while, what Captain Evans said about talking to Kole first rattles around. If he asked Kole, what did Kole say?

I’m headed to my car when my phone starts to ring, and when I glance at the screen, my stomach twists in knots.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Violet, I just heard. Are you okay?” She’s out of breath.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Your boyfriend is missing. Why didn’t you call me?”

Of all the things that crossed my mind when the police opened this case, I didn’t consider my mom catching wind of it all the way in Sacramento.

“I didn’t want you to worry because I’m fine. And he’s no longer my boyfriend anyway.”

“You broke up?”

“Yes.” Mostly.

She sighs, and I can picture her sitting with her palm pressed to her forehead like she does when she’s stressed.

Her dark hair turns grayer each year, and this won’t help.

“Still—”

“Don’t worry.” I cut her off before she spirals. “I need to focus on my classes anyway. It was for the best.”

“Okay.” Mom sighs. “If you say so. But please stay safe, sweetie.”

“You know I will.”

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