AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Grady’s aunt hasn’t updated me. He’s still nowhere to be found.
A few media outlets have begun reporting on Fyodor’s disappearance. Other articles detail the latest in Maximillion’s murder investigation.
On my way home, I sit in the subway car and scroll through what I find online. My trepidation manifests as a roiling ache in my belly. The findings go from bad to worse the more I search.
The night Maximillion disappeared, Kaden had been at the bar. He had gotten into a spat with Grady. As far as I know, he never encountered Maximillion. But, I had mentioned how overworked I was. I had told him how condescending Maximillion was.
Did he come back after the fact and get into an altercation with him?
Fyodor is a given. The guy harassed me and made a pass. I asked Kaden not to address it with him, but what if he did? He doesn’t seem like the type to let slights go. He punishes me no matter how small the infraction. Is he this way with others too?
My spirit is so disturbed I don’t notice Detective Maloney until he calls out my name.
“Ms. Hendrix, there you are. I was hoping I’d run into you.”
I blink out of my dazed thoughts and stare up at the detective. He’s coming down the stoop of my apartment building as if he’s just dropped by and tried the door.
“Detective, I’ve already told you I don’t know anything about Maximillion’s personal life…”
…and I’m not sure of Kaden’s involvement. Yet.
“I have a few more questions, if you don’t mind answering them.”
“I’m very busy right now. Maybe some other time.”
He holds out a small card. “Here’s my business card. It has my personal and work number on it. Detective Laurent’s number is also on the bottom. Call either one of us the moment you’re ready to talk.”
For the second time this afternoon, I’m making a promise. The middle-aged detective doesn’t hide the steely expression from his face as I accept the card and turn to go. He’s plain as day in what he believes—I have some info on Maximillion’s murder and the perpetrator that I’m not revealing.
My head hurts, making it impossible to think straight.
I escape into my apartment, tucking his business card into my purse. The lights are off and the afternoon’s natural light streams through the open blinds in the window. The silence tells me Taviar’s not home (he usually blasts his music when he’s home working).
I cross into the kitchen to drink some water and take a dose of my meds.
I’ve been rationing them even more than usual to stretch them as long as possible. It hasn’t been easy considering I’m broke and haven’t been able to land another job.
But I can’t go any longer. I need a dose, or I’ll wind up sicker than I can manage.
The open pill bottle on the counter makes me stop. The cap has been screwed off and several of the pills have spilled out. How did my bottle of pills get knocked over?
Taviar could’ve done so in a rush. Being as neat as he usually is, I’d imagine he’d fix the mistake.
I pour myself some cool water with my gaze stuck on the open, overturned pill bottle. Something else sticks out to me in my periphery. Down the hall, the bedroom doors are pushed open.
Taviar never leaves his door open, and neither do I.
The roil in my belly deepens. I inhale a reluctant breath and steel myself to go investigate. An inkling tells me I’m not as alone as I thought I was…
Suddenly, the silence in the apartment is ominous and off-putting.
I pass Jael’s empty room and the bathroom. Mine comes up next. Anything, or anyone, can be waiting inside.
It could be a trap. Someone luring me.
I stop outside my open door. The person lying on my bed smirks at me.
“Took you long enough,” Celeste draws, checking her manicured nails. “I’ve been waiting well over an hour.”
