Page 113 of Live To Tell

“What? What’s the bastard done?” She drags a hand down her face. “I should’ve come forward before, but you have to understand I’m scared. I am only doing this now because Dorian can catch him.”

“Do you believe somebody may know you intended to meet Rowan?” asks Violet.

“Are you being watched because you're digging into things you shouldn't?” she replies.

“Undoubtedly.”

“Then whoever watches you will see me too. Now do you understand why I wanted to keep away? You could've put me in danger now.”

“Realistically, you did that yourself by agreeing to meet and hand over the evidence you have.”

I close my eyes in despair at Violet's Violet-ness.

“And I said, I expect you to find justice for Maddy. Her body. Him.”

The bloodied words: this isn’t over until he is,

Violet lifts her chin. “Only somebody connected to the crimes would follow or threaten you. In those circumstances, I've no qualms in using my less pleasant side to deal with the person concerned.”

“Neither does he,” says Rowan, and points at me.

“And Viktor?” asks Annabelle.

“I will also ensure you’re protected—and yes, we’ll catch him,” says Violet. “What’s his name? Please.”

Annabelle closes her eyes for a moment. “Joe Smith.”

“But that isn’t even a witch name,” says Violet.

“And a ridiculously common human one,” says Rowan. “Smart guy.”

“Because he doesn’t live as a witch anymore—not publicly, anyway. He lives in the city, but I don’t know anything else. I’ve kept my distance.”

“How would you know this is the Whitegroves hid Viktor from everybody else?” I ask.

She scowls at me. “He already used the name to hide his identity when he screwed around with humans. He had fake ID already.” She pauses. “A few of us did. I knew Vik’s from Maddy telling me, so I looked for him.”

“To challenge him?” asks Rowan in surprise.

“And get myself killed? No. But I wanted to know if he’s alive. Stupid idea because it just upset me more, and I knew I couldn’t do anything without proof.” Annabelle’s mouth turns down.

“We’ll find proof,” says Violet. “And him.”

“You don’t know what his profession is?” asks Rowan. “What type of witch was he—officially, since nobody admitted necromancy back then?”

“Mind magic. Add in necromancy and he’s the perfect rotten combination,” says Annabelle. “Now, let me go. Do not follow. And if I have a single suspicious supe arrive on my doorstep, that's on you.”

With a shake of her head, Annabelle walks by me and into the kitchen behind, re-emerging with a blue bucket filled with bottles of water.

“That door handle had better work now.” Violet nods. “Don't follow me out.”

“One more thing,” asks Rowan and her face sours again.

“What?” she snaps.

“Who's the other guy? The letter read as if Madison had a new relationship.”

“I don't know,” she says. “And that's the truth. Maddy hid him from everybody, but obviously Vik saw them together when stalking her.”

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