Page 162 of Twisted Knight

He sighs and then opens his mouth and shuts it. He looks down and then back up before he finally speaks. “You haven’t seen the Times article yet, then?”

“What are you talking about?” It takes everything I have to stand there and face him rather than run to my computer and search in our local newspaper for whatever he’s talking about.

“Good. I’m glad. I wanted you to hear it from me first.”

“Hear what?”

“A source leaked information on the case.”

“So there is information? What is it?”

“The case has been closed. The powers that be determined that it was all an egregious mistake. Your brother darted out in front of the car. The driver didn’t have time to react. He didn’t even realize he’d hit anyone until he got home and saw his broken front headlight.”

“What do you mean it was all an accident?” My voice rises in pitch, my head shaking as if I didn’t hear him correctly.

“Exactly what it sounds like. Sometimes things like this happen—tragic accidents—and there really isn’t anyone to blame.”

“But there is. The driver. He hit him. He killed him. The passenger got out and looked at him. Then they drove away. Mason never rode in the street. He was on the sidewalk. I know he was on the sidewalk.…” My voice cracks as my head spins and tears threaten. “This isn’t right.”

“I’m sorry. I—”

“You know it’s not right. The look on your face says it.”

“I wanted you to hear it in person.” His smile is sympathetic. “There’s nothing more I can do.”

He gives a nod.

“What about the lighter?” I think of Rhett Rothschild. “I mean, the owner—”

“The owner has agreed not to press charges against you.”

“What?” The word is a shrieked syllable marred with confusion. “What the hell do you mean he’s decided not to press charges?”

He eyes me, clearly not thrilled with my outburst, but doesn’t reprimand me outright. His voice is soft and placating as I glare at him, demanding answers. “They know you stole it when he accidentally left it in the main dining room.”

“And what? Grabbed it when I went out to help save my brother and dropped it? Are you out of your fucking mind?”

This can’t be happening.

It can’t.

“Other club members saw you with it in the days before the accident.”

“This is unbelievable.” I shove a hand through my hair and pace back and forth in the small space. My gut churns. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” My teeth clench and hands fist as my head rages with fury. “He was the passenger of the car.”

“There was no passenger. If you read the article, you’ll see that.”

“And you’re just believing them?” My heart feels like it’s exploding in my chest. My head feels like it’s detached from my body.

“What you should be is arrested for petty theft but considering the situation, the lighter’s owner—and the country club itself—have decided not to press charges.”

“Big of them.”

“You should be more than grateful that they’re going to let the matter go, even let you keep your job so long as this doesn’t get brought up again.”

“Wow. That’s … so them.”

Entitled fucking pricks.