Page 83 of Dead Love
“Good,” Sheriff Mike said. He patted my shoulder, bringing me out of the hallway. Vincent’s glare seared into my back. “I’m glad you’re smiling again,” he said. My mouth was awkward and unnatural, but I smiled anyway because that’s what was expected of me. He needed me to be strong, like his image. “Now, I know you came all the way down here, but I’ve got a matter to take care of for the campaign. Perhaps we can talk later?” he said. “Make an appointment?”
At least he was brushing me off in a nice way for once. A few of the officers were looking at us. He couldn’t be his usual self. I rubbed my ring, staring at the black gem. I was having trouble remembering why I wanted to help Vincent in the first place.
“Sure,” I said. “That’s fine.”
CHAPTER27
Kora
The next day,my mother wanted to start touring rental houses. If we were lucky, the construction repairs on our home would be done in a few months, though it was likely that it would take much longer. Most of the damage was so bad that they would have to start from scratch. Insurance was paying for the hotel for the time being, but now that I was back in the picture, my mother was ready to talk about a long-term arrangement.
“What do you think?” she asked. She pointed at the yellow front door of a rental house. A white picket fence surrounded the yard with butterfly decorations on the front porch. A dragonfly darted across the turf, zipping by to another yard with green grass. Everything about the rental house was manufactured. The green plastic grass blades would never need to be watered. There wasn’t a garden in sight. Even the insects were metal decorations. But a dry spot of grass would never disappoint the people who moved in there. It symbolized the perfect family.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, my voice drifting away.
“I knew you’d like it,” she said, her smile beaming. I grit my teeth, but I wasn’t going to argue. It was three bedrooms and the price seemed fair. It would do.
In the car, I looked out the window. Flags decorated driveways. A child hopscotched on the sidewalk. We were in Rose Garden Neighborhood, the same community as our house, but the other two rentals were in different areas. I didn’t want to see them. My energy was gone.
“What is it?” Shea asked. “You’re quieter than usual.”
I spun my ring around my finger. “I’m just tired.”
“As you should be.” She spun the wheel, taking the next turn. “You’ve been through a lot lately. I’m not surprised that you’re exhausted.”
I kept my head forward but gave her a sidelong glance, unsure of how to take her words. She had been kinder than usual lately. I hated that the fear of my death had inspired her to be more tender, but in the end, this was just how things were now.
“Cheer up,” Shea said. Ah, there it was. My hands fidgeted, spinning that ring like a top. “How about this: whatever placeyoulike best, we’ll live there?”
I blinked. Was she serious? As in,Iwould have the final say? “Really?”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
A slight burst of energy cracked through me. “Okay,” I said. “That’d be nice.” After a few seconds went by, I blurted out, “Why don’t we pick that first one, then?”
“Oh?”
“You liked it. I liked it.” It was almost the truth. I just didn’t want to deal with it anymore.
“Sure,” she said, her eyes forward.
An uneasy silence sifted between us. Each day brought me more autonomy, which should have comforted me, but nothing felt right. How was it that I felt more like myself with Vincent, than I did with my mother?
I pictured him in that lonely cell, his eyes dark and malevolent. No matter what had happened, no matter the crimes Iknewhe had committed, I knew Vincent wasn’t the Echo Killer. And I needed to do something to make it right. Even if that meant making my parents upset.
As we turned onto the main street, I sat up and faced Shea.
“I need to talk to Sheriff Mike,” I said. “Now.”
“We can head to the station,” she said.
“Alone.”
The engine rumbled, and Shea’s eyes flashed with anger before returning to her cold kindness. Did she think I was hiding something from her?
“Of course,” she said, her voice dry.
I wiggled my fingers, trying to stay strong in my convictions. I needed to do this; it was the only way to make things right. We pulled into the parking space, and she grabbed her sunglasses from the overhead console.
