Page 110 of Because of Logan

I meet him away from the waiting area where we can’t be seen by Logan’s family.

“You’re Skye, right? Logan’s girlfriend?”

I lie again. “Yes. Can you tell me anything?”

“I thought so. I didn’t want to say anything in front of his family. It’s no wonder Logan never spends any time with them.”

“I heard Logan was shot. Please, do you know anything?”

“Yes, he was shot, and the info we have is that it’s not life-threatening.”

A flood of relief nearly knocks me on my knees.

“How did it happen?” I have to know.

“I’ll tell you what I know, but you can’t repeat it.”

I nod in agreement.

“Here’s what we pieced together. Logan was following a driver who seemed to be driving under the influence and he pulled him over. He informed dispatch and proceeded to check on the driver. Up to this point, everything was going by the book. But it went down south pretty fast from there. As soon as he got to the driver’s window, Logan could tell the guy was flying high on some heavy-duty drugs. He told the guy to stay in the car and called for backup. At some point, the suspect exited the car and went after Logan.”

The officer shakes his head. I look at him willing the memory of how I know him to come. It clicks.

“You were at Riggins. You were there with Logan that day.” No need to clarify which day I’m talking about.

“Yes, I was, and that’s how I knew who you are the moment I saw you.”

I nod and he continues.

“Logan tasered the suspect, but he just kept coming at him. There was a scuffle, but this guy was so high, it would have taken half a dozen of us to stop him. We have an eyewitness who said the suspect picked Logan up like he weighed nothing and tossed him to the middle of the street. The suspect pulled a gun from his waistband, and while standing over Logan, he shot him several times. By then, other officers had arrived on scene and they opened fire. This guy was raging. He was so high that even after being shot, he kept going after them. They finally managed to get him down by shooting at both of his legs. It took six officers to restrain and cuff him.”

“Oh my God.”

I’m shaking.

River steps closer and pulls me to her side.

“We think the suspect was high on PCP, Flakka, or bath salts. It’s known to make people go insane and it gives them superhuman strength.”

“Thank you so much, Officer.”

We go back to the waiting room.

River sits to my right and glares at Logan’s family. The mom looks at me, and the corner of her mouth lifts as if trying to smile, but she doesn’t know how. She casts her eyes down. Amanda sits next to Logan’s dad, her body inclined toward him, and I notice how he speaks to her in a low hush but never speaks to or even glances at his wife on the other side of him. The secret Logan shared with me comes to the front of my mind, and it makes me sick. If I had anything in my stomach, I’d puke at their feet. How could they? And after all that, it’s obvious they’re still carrying on with the affair. I glance at the mom again and wonder if she knows. She has to. No one can be that oblivious. And if she knows, how can she put up with it?

“Is it me,” River whispers, “or is there something going on with Logan’s dad and his ex?”

I close my eyes, ready to deny it. It’s Logan’s secret and not mine to tell, but anyone with eyes can see what’s happening right in front of us. And I’m tired of being the keeper of everyone’s secrets.

“It's not you. I see it too.”

“Sick.”

“If you only knew.”

River looks at me sharply, and she’s about to interrogate me when a doctor comes into the waiting area. We all jump to our feet. The three officers step behind River and me—it feels as if they took sides and picked us.

“Mr. and Mrs. Cole?”

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