Page 291 of Mangled Memory

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Me: I’m wondering if it was an inside job.

Ren Gallo: I’m not saying that. Even Fitz, who disappeared and reappeared that night, or Liam… Neither of them would jeopardize you. Who in your crew would? Who could have access?

Me: I’ll think on that. But keep this between us. No reason to tip off Young if he’s dirty

Ren Gallo: He’s not dirty. I’d bet my life on it. But I won’t say a thing to him. The fewer people who know, the easier it will be to find the leak.

Flipping back to Liam, I ask what I should know but don’t.

Me: I want a list of everyone who could have access to the system, when they got it, what permissions they have, etc.

Liam Murphy: On it.

So, Ayla wasn’t lying about the masked men. This being in the dark is bullshit.

I toggle to the phone app, select one of five contacts in my favorites and press go.

Two rings later, she answers. “Hello?”

“Hey.”

Silence.

Man, things weren’t this awkward when we started dating.

“You were right,” I start.

“Of course I was. But about what this time?”

“The men skulking around the house the night I was shot. Your brother discovered the video was altered.”

“And you believe him?” Her emphasis on the last word tells me all I need to know.

Right… “I wanted you to know that the threats are greater than we knew.”

“Greater thanyouknew, you mean. Since you didn’t believe me.”

Apparently, this isn’t the time for this.

“Stick near Fitz.”

“Since you’re never here, that would be the obvious choice.”

She’s pissed. I’m emotionally exhausted, and our conversation is going nowhere.

“Bye, Princess.” I disconnect before we can say more.

That’s it. I’m going home. I can’t do this anymore.

Before tossing my phone down, I flip to the cameras in the house and watch Ayla.She paces before stopping, twisting her head, and looking at the camera to give me the bird.

Well, at least I know this Ayla.

The question is how well does she truly know me.

When I arrive home forty-five minutes later, there’s another sticky note on the counter, this time on a manila file folder.

Christian,

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