Page 110 of Push My Buttons
Theo and Jace exchange a look over my head, something dark passing between them.
"I'm sorry," Maya gasps after a moment. "It's just... I've never seen anything like it. I can't get the image out of my head."
"What about the police?" Theo asks, his voice carefully controlled. "Have they been notified?"
"They just left," Maya confirms. "They were here for hours. I had to tell them that Wren was closing last night. I'm so sorry, Wren. I didn't want to drag you into this, but they asked who was on shift and—"
"It's okay," Jace reassures her. "You did the right thing."
"There was something else," Maya says, her voice dropping even lower. "A message. Written on the wall behind the counter. In... in his blood."
My stomach churns. I grip the edge of the table, knuckles white.
"What did it say?" Theo asks, his hand tightening on my shoulder.
"'He touched what wasn't his to touch. The punishment fits the crime.'" Maya's voice breaks on the last word. "What does that even mean? What did he do?"
Jace and Theo exchange another loaded look.
"Maya, listen to me," Jace says, his voice steady. "Stay where you are. Don't talk to anyone else about this. We'll—"
A sharp knock at the door cuts him off. We all freeze, staring at each other.
"That'll be the police," Maya says, having heard the knock, a tremor in her voice. "They said they'd be heading to your place next, Wren. To ask about last night."
Another knock, more insistent this time.
"And we’re all out of donuts," Theo mutters, a forced smile not reaching his eyes.
I ignore his gallows humor and sign quickly to Jace:"Tell Maya I'll come see her today. I'll stay at her place tonight. We can work on that project."
Jace relays the message, adding, "She will help try to keep your mind off things."
"Really?" Maya sounds tearfully grateful. "You'd do that for me?"
I nod, though she can't see me. Jace understands and confirms for me.
"I don't like it," Jace says after ending the call, his eyes meeting mine. "Staying at Maya's isn't secure. We don't know who did this or why."
"I think we have a pretty good idea of the who and the why," Theo mutters, his eyes flicking to my throat meaningfully.
I shake my head firmly."I'm staying with her,"I sign decisively."She needs me. You can stake out her place if you want, but I'm going."
"Wren—" Jace starts.
"She's my friend,"I continue signing, my movements sharp with determination."She just found a mutilated body. I'm not abandoning her. Besides, she was already going to help me get ready for the launch party tomorrow."
The knocking comes again, followed by a woman's voice. "Ms. Maddox? This is Detective Rivera. We need to speak with you."
"I'll get it," Theo says, heading for the door. He pauses, looking back at me. "You sure about this? Staying with Maya?"
I nod firmly."What kind of friend would I be if I left her alone after what she saw? I need to distract her."
Theo's expression softens. "That's my girl. Always thinking of others." He turns to open the door.
Jace studies my face, his expression troubled. "You know this was him, don't you?”
I nod, swallowing hard against the tightness in my throat."Yes,"I sign, my hands trembling slightly."He must have seen what happened with Marcus last night."
