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“I always am.”
“That’s a bare-faced lie.” Romeo breathed out heavily. “If I don’t hear from you in two hours, I will drive out to find you, regardless of the risks.”
“I’ll stay in touch,” Chad promised.
Romeo got out with a scowl and slammed the door.
****
Chad eyed the empty driveway and internally huffed. He scribbled his phone number on a piece of paper and went to slot it through the letterbox, but the curtains in the window next to the door twitched. “Tate?”
Chad shoved the note back in his pocket and kneeled to speak through the letterbox. “It’s DC Fuller. I was passing by, thought I’d drop in and see how you are.”
The door opened. Chad blinked up at a pale-faced Eleanor.
“Tate isn’t in.”
Chad got to his feet and wiped his hands on his knees. “Right…”
“He’s picking Shawn up from school.”
“That reminds me,” Chad said, reaching into his pocket. He revealed Shawn’s yo-yo.
Eleanor gasped and took it from Chad’s hand. “He’s been looking for that everywhere.”
Chad smiled. “Shawn was showing my colleague, Josh.”
“I remember him. The one in the superhero pajamas.”
“That’s him.” Chad rocked back on his heels and gestured to his car parked up the road. “I was driving through, thought I’d check in, see how you were all doing.”
“That’s kind.” She glanced at the car. “I don’t want to keep you.”
“It’s no bother.”
“You must be busy.”
She inched the door shut, but Chad wedged his foot in the way. “Are you okay?”
Instead of speaking, she pressed her lips together and nodded. Chad stiffened at the sudden onslaught of tears in her eyes.
“What’s happened?”
Eleanor pulled the door open again before slamming it on Chad’s foot. He winced, but stood his ground despite his throbbing toes and the spat-out curses from Eleanor.
“Don’t come here faking concern. I know why you’re here.”
“Why am I here?”
“Someone’s gone blabbing.”
Chad scrunched his face. “Gone blabbing?”
“Don’t play dumb,” Eleanor growled. “My son is a victim.”
“I don’t understand—”
“Just because he owns a hoodie like that, doesn’t make him a killer. I knew it was only a matter of time before one of you came knocking. They’re words. Stupid words on a stupid hoodie. They don’tmeananything.” Eleanor battered him with the door. “Leave.”
