Before I even have to say anything to him, he’s on the phone.
“Chief. We have a problem… Yes, they found her… Did you see the sign on town hall?... I don’t know, we just saw it on our way home… Okay, let me know.”
He pulls me to him so I’m facing his chest and not the sign. “I’m so sorry, Goddess. I promise we’ll get this taken down. Chief is calling the mayor now.”
“I need to leave. Now that I know for sure they know where I am… I have to go.”
He squeezes me tighter in a hug. “Absolutely not. I’m not letting you go.”
“I don’t want to go. But you’re not safe if he knows where I am.”
His lips press to my forehead. “I told you that I’ll protect you. Whatever it takes.”
The phone in his pocket vibrates against my leg. We both stare at each other.
Swiping at his screen, Chief’s name is displayed when he puts it on speaker. “Hi Chief.”
“The mayor is on her way. Can you stay and meet her there?”
“Absolutely. What about finding out who did this?” Wyatt wraps his arm tight around my waist, holding me close, giving me a sense of safety I’ve never felt.
“You ask the mayor for permission, but I want Kane on it. If the mayor says no, I don’t know who is looking into it, but you might. Get me?”
“Yes, sir. I do.”
Just then, a car comes racing into the parking lot and an older woman, probably Anna’s age but nowhere near as beautiful, gets out of the car.
“Chief, Mayor Williams is here now.” Wyatt tugs me over to her. “Good evening, Mayor Williams.”
“Hello, Officer Keaton.” She looks at me. “I’m sorry we need to meet this way, Ms. Black. I hear you’re in some trouble.”
She gently reaches out to squeeze my hand, her arm revealing a maze of scars. When she notices my gaze, she explains, “I know a thing or two about your kind of trouble. I promise, we’ll do everything we can.”
Nodding in understanding, I feel seen, heard, and protected here in this town.
Me:Mayor gave the okay. Find those fuckers.
Kane:On it. But like, what are my limitations?
Me:No one specified so as far as I’m concerned do what you have to do for Sophia.
Kane:You got it, Boss. >
Me:Where did we get with the burner phone?
Kane:Not far. Your girl did a good job destroying them. I’m working on the footage, but since sheidentified the guy, I can’t get you anything you don’t already have. I’m working on facial recognition to find him. Are you sure we can trust this Ripp guy?
Me:No. But he hasn’t killed me yet so, for now I guess I have to.
Kane:Keep your enemies closer?
Me:Yeah, sure. Let’s go with that. I have to go, let me know what you find.
Wandering over to Sophia and Mayor Williams, I find them staring at the computer.
“I was able to change the message, but someone was in the system that wasn’t an employee. The offices were closed, and there’s no way for them to log in from home.” The mayor clicks on the screen pulling up a log of employee logins. “Besides, I know for a fact that Tiffany wouldn’t do this.”
My eyes go wide. Tiff’s login is right there on the screen for two thirty-three this afternoon. “Are you sure she wasn’t in the office?”
