Page 128 of A Wild Darkness

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

STEVIE

This will get easier, I think to myself.

I feel like Sebastian and I are on a killing spree. I guess that’s only partly true since I’m not the one who’s actually taking lives, but hell, if I’m not helping to orchestrate the process.

Has my brain become numb to it already?

With Larry and Pete, my body trembled, my stomach uneasy, but now, as Sebastian and I ride back up the elevator from the parking garage at Thompson Manor as if nothing happened, I’d be remiss that my visceral reaction to Wendy’s death is less intense.

My head is trained on the hardwood flooring at my feet. I step out of the elevator and take an immediate left.

“Stevie?”

“Yes?”

“Where are you going?”

I glance around to realize I’m headed toward the East Wing and not to Sebastian’s portion of the house.

My phone buzzes in my bag. It’s my dad. Bringing the phone up to my ear, I hold a finger up, gesturing for Sebastian to give me a minute.

“Hi, Dad,” I answer.

Sebastian steps away to give me privacy. I haven’t spoken to my dad much lately. He’s been busy sorting things out for his transition into retirement.

“Hi, Stevie. Have you spoken to your sister lately?”

“Not this weekend, but I’m sure she’s fine.”

“I know she’s away, but it’s just she hasn’t called me for a while, and that’s unlike her.” There’s a sadness in his voice.

He’s not satisfied, so I do what I always do and act as the facilitator between them. Not a typical role for the youngest sibling, but that’s how it works within our family dynamic.

“She’s okay, Dad. I promise.” I casually make my way over to the living area where a fire is lit inside an enormous stone fireplace. This is Sebastian’s house, but sometimes I forget that hired help comes and goes as they wish. One of them most likely started it while we were away?

“Yeah, you’re right. She’s a big girl, but you know how I always worry.” My dad is having a difficult time not being Lux’s number one anymore now that River is in the picture.

“She’s off with her billionaire boyfriend having a blast. You know how she needed some time away to write with her deadline approaching so quickly,” I say, glancing at Sebastian. He’s followed me into the space and is leaning against the bookshelf in the corner of the room. “She’ll probably check in with you in the next couple of days.”

“Okay. You’re right.”

An awakened silence takes up the space through the phone. I wait for him to ask about me. But he doesn’t, assuming I’d tell him if anything was wrong.

“So, how’s the transition going?” I ask.

“Going well,” he replies. “I’ll be helping with their cold case division, so that should keep my mind occupied in retirement.”

My dad cannot stay idle for long. I’m glad he has decided to use his skills in a different capacity.

“That’s great, Dad.” I smile. “So, the mortuary⁠—”

“Oh, sorry, Stevie, but the department is calling on the other line. Let’s talk when Lux comes back into town for our monthly dinner,” my dad rushes out.

Swallowing my disappointment, I shove it aside like I always have. “Of course. We’ll talk soon.”

“Love you.” Then he ends the call.