Nina’s eyes widen with realization. “You think this secret society is widespread, and some force is bringing it to light here so that you’ll work the case.”
I nod gravely. “Yes. I think we need to find out more about them and just how widespread they are.”
“Do you think Chelsea was involved with the society?”
I shrug. “I’m not sure, but I want to have Nick check her for a tattoo.”
“What if we have Nick look into Harlan?” Nina suggests. “He has access to ways of digging up information that we don’t. He might be able to connect the dots between the secret society and Chelsea’s death.”
“I also think we need to have a talk with Jill. She should really stay away from Harlan and that place. I don’t have a good feeling about either.”
She nods in agreement, and I feel a bit better about our chances of uncovering something.
“That’s a great idea.”
I send off a quick text to Nick, needing to get the ball rolling on the investigation of Harlan and the society.
Me
When you get up, call me.
My phone rings almost instantly.
“It’s Nick,” I say, glancing up at Nina, who’s curled up on the couch.
She lifts a brow as if to say,Are you going to answer it?
I click the button and take a deep breath. “Hey. What are you doing up already?”
He sighs down the line. “I haven’t been getting much sleep. A lot happening around here,” he confesses, his voice husky and deep. A shiver runs down my spine as I listen, captivated by the enticing sound. “What’s going on? Everything okay?”
A lazy smile spreads across my face, and when my head lifts, I find Nina staring at me in amusement. I roll my eyes.
“Everything is fine. Well…not exactly fine, but I’m fine—”
“Lyss,” he says, bringing my rambling to a halt. “What’s happened?”
I heave a breath. “How do you know something has happened?”
He chuckles. “You tend to talk in circles when you’re trying to avoid sharing something you think I’ll have a hard time believing.”
“Huh,” I say, recognizing how quickly Nick West has come to know me.
“You can tell me, Alyssa. I’ll always believe you.”
My body tingles from the tips of my toes to my scalp. His words envelop me like a warm hug.
“Thank you, Nick. I appreciate that.” I take a deep breath and dive into my suspicions.
When I’ve finished relaying every last detail, Nick’s quiet on the other line.
“What is he saying?” Nina whispers, and I shake my head.
“Tell her I’m thinking,” he says, humor in his tone.
I smirk, relaying the message. Nina harrumphs, sitting back into the cushions with a yawn.
“Do you think you could draw up a sketch of the tattoo?” he finally says.
