Page 53 of His Pretty Little Lies
I’m not the worst with technology, but I’m nowhere near the level of my dad, Marks, or my cousin. They can read code like it’s nothing. It takes me more time. I’m best with numbers, and my dad swears I’m good at reading people.
War moves around the desk to stand behind my dad and watch. He's worse than any of us with computers. His wife, Tova, might even be better than him.
"You're not finding anything."
"Oh, I found something." Dad glances over to Kinsley. "The full story isn't checking out. There was an accident, but it shows a hit-and-run. No girl."
"Holy crap," Kinsley whispers. "So the police are, like, in on it?" Now her eyes are wider than I've ever seen them.
"That means the chief of police would have to be involved." War adds.
"Are you fucking serious?" I ask. This makes it a whole lot bigger than we realized. Who knows how extensive whoever's reach is that is producing this drug?
"This might sound crazy," Kinsley says, "and I could be way off base, but I'm going to guess you're friends with the chief in some way."
"Some," War half agrees.
"And if you don't know about this, and then there is a dead girl in your warehouse?—"
"Exactly." Ronan nods. "I also don't like that this scene is around high schoolers. It could mean nothing. Just an easy way to start selling the drugs. Kids have money, or?—"
"Another target pointed to us," War finishes.
"But what would that do? They're going to raid our homes and arrest us?" I shake my head. That doesn't make sense, or fuck, maybe it does.
"They would do that? I didn't think—" Kinsley doesn't finish. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip.
The Marinos, in most eyes, are untouchable, but no one truly is. When you start to believe that, that is when people will strike. You always have to keep your guard up.
“No one is untouchable,” War says. “We need to get up to speed on this and ahead of it. Figure out who the fuck is behind all of it.”
“I might have an idea to find out the girl's name.” Everyone's attention swings over to Kinsley. “Faster, I mean.”
“Whatcha got, Bunny?” I ask her.
“My mom. When things interest her, she scribbles them down in these notebooks she keeps. I bet she has notes on the girl.”
“And you think you can get those notes?” War asks. “Steal them from your own mother?”
“I wouldn't steal them. I’d look and take a few pictures.” War’s eyes flick between the two of us. Now all my uncles and Dad are nodding.
“All right, let’s see who can find the girl first,” I say, standing, pulling my bunny up with me.
“Really?” Kinsley bounces on her heels, more than up for this.
“Let’s see what you guys got.” Dad’s words are directed at me.
This is a job or task. Not the first he’s sent me or my brothers on, and it won’t be the last.
Yeah, this is a whole lot bigger than we thought. Kinsley is going to see what a life with me would be like, and I’m going to find out how she handles it.
Chapter Twenty-Six
KINSLEY
“This is a test, isn’t it?” I ask, sitting in the passenger seat of Jax’s Charger. We’re headed to the hospital. My mom’s notes will be in her office. She keeps them there.
“You’re doing fine,” he tries to reassure me.
