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“Got a call from my dad. No prints were found on Zeke or the glass he was stabbed with. Not a single one.”
My eyes widen. “What’s that mean?”
“It means he either fell, or someone wiped him clean.”
“And what do you think?”
“Someone killed Zeke. I’ve got a strong feeling about it and I just know I’m right. If Zeke was in your bed, kissed you, touched you, you had to have touched him, too. But your prints were nowhere on his body. Whoever did this was skilled. They knew exactly how to get away with murder.”
“Then they planted my phone to make me look guilty?”
“That, or maybe he really did take it while he was there.”
“I just can’t understand why he’d do that. I referred to him as Ridge while he was there and he never corrected me. If he didn’t want his identity to be found out, why would he incriminate himself by stealing my phone?”
“That’s why I don’t think it was him.” His lips roll together, head resting against the wall. “There’s more, Riley. If we’re gonna give this thing between us a shot, I don’t want any secrets, aside from the ones we’re forced to keep. I probably shouldn’t tell you this—”
“Tell me.” I turn to face him, straightening my back with my hands folded in my lap.
He draws in a deep breath, while some of the color drains from his face. “I haven’t been completely honest with you.”
“Dammit, Maddox. You’re scaring me. Just tell me.”
Reaching over, he grabs my hand. “Zeke wasn’t the first body found.”
“What?” I gasp. “What do you mean he wasn’t the first body?”
“There’ve been other murders around town. Not students. But men connected to the governor.”
Now I’m certain the color has drained from my face. I let go of his hand and get to my feet, unable to sit still. “Who did it?”
Maddox gets up and stops me from pacing. “We don’t know. But…”
“But what?” I huff. “Just tell me. Tell me everything.”
“My dad is certain these men are connected to the death of the governor and could potentially have damning evidence that would incriminate you and your friends.”
“That’s not possible. No one was there but us.”
“You’re sure?”
“Pretty sure. At least, we didn’t see anyone else.”
“There’s more.”
I fill my lungs, preparing for a potential blackout because I’m not sure how much more bad news I can take.
“The bodies of these men were set on fire after they were murdered. Evidence was found in the rubble of ash at one of the sites.”
“Okay.” I nod. “That’s good. So there’s a lead?”
“Yeah. And it leads right to you.”
Me? No way.My knees go weak, my brain congested. I can’t even think enough to wrap my head around what he just said. I sit back down, now unable to stand because I’m certain I really am going to pass out.
“There was a pen with your name on it.”
My eyes shoot wide open. “I lost a pen.”
