“Ms Tate and no, I’m renting it for the month while I work at Sacred Heights.”
They exchange a glance before one pulls out a notepad. “You were at Little Bottles Bar last night, right?”
My stomach knots, but I keep my face neutral. “What’s this about?” I ask, though I already know exactly why they’re here.
“There was an extremely violent crime last night,” one officer says, his tone even but probing. “After speaking to a witness, we were led here. You were with Mike Wright and Jessica Lanyard, correct?”
I nod slowly, feeling the heaviness of their stares as he presses on. “Can you tell us what happened?”
I take a slow, steadying exhale, shifting on my feet. “We had a drink,” I start, “and then Jess had to leave for work for about an hour. I stayed with Mike, but…” I pause, glancing between them,hoping my face doesn’t betray me. “He disappeared, so I just… went home.”
“Disappeared?” One asks, taking notes.
“That’s right,” I say, lifting my chin a little. “I went to the jukebox to choose a song and when I returned to the bar, he was gone. I’m not familiar with the area, I’d only just met them and once I was left there alone, I just… decided to leave.”
The officer nods, his eyes dropping back to his notepad. “Did you see anything or anyone suspicious? Anyone who looked… off?”
I shake my head. “No, I just kept to myself, listened to the music and had a few drinks. I wasn’t there very long. Maybe an hour max.”
My mouth feels dry as sand, and I shift slightly, then look up at them, widening my eyes just enough. “Wait… is everyone okay? Was anyone hurt?” I ask, letting a hint of worry soften my voice.
The officer’s expression darkens slightly. “Mike is in very serious condition at the hospital. I can’t share more at this time, but we may need to come back for further questions. We’re looking at all witnesses very closely.”
His words make me panic. Could I get into serious trouble for all this, for all of Ty’s bizarre ways. What if they think I was involved? What if it’s all twisted around on me? What if SHA gets wind of this?
The thought makes my head spin, so I keep up the innocence, and my hand moves to my chest, letting out a soft gasp in surprise. “What? But what happened? Will he be okay? And Jess… is she okay?”
The officer gives a small nod, but his face is unreadable as they both head toward the door. “We hope so,” he says over his shoulder.
As they open the door and start to leave, I call out after them. “If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to contact me!”
Once they’re gone, I shut the door and lean back against it, breathing hard through my mouth, trying to slow my racing heart. My hands are shaking, and I stare down at them, gripping the door for stability. That was… strange. Their questions were so short, almost careless. But one thing is clear: I need to get out of here. Today.
Screw this job. This small town. This madness. Ty. I’m done with it all. With him lurking around every corner, there’s no settling here. I can’t be involved in all this.
…
After scrubbing this house clean with bleach and discarding Mike’s eyeball down the toilet, ironically, the day has turned into early evening. I have my suitcase packed, bumping it down the stairs. I thought it would probably be better if I left when it’s dark, when neighbours can’t see me make my escape. I drag my suitcase across the wood before placing Midnight’s crate down. I crouch, opening the little door, ushering her in, but she just stares at me from a distance.
“Come on, Midnight, get inside. I’m going to take you somewhere safe baby.” I say gently, but still, she refuses.
Suddenly there’s a frantic knock at the door and I bolt upright.
“Raven? Raven? Are you in there?” Jess’s voice comes through the wood and my eyes expand.
Shit.
“Just a second!” I call back as I smooth my black dress down with my trembling hands. I then stride toward the door.
I click the lock and slowly open it, peering around it. My eyes instantly meet Jess’s, red and wet. She moves forward, giving me no choice but to let her in and I step back. With the door still open, I turn to face her and before I know it, she’s throwing her arms around me. I tense up as she sobs into my shoulder hysterically.
“He’s dead!” She wails into my ear, her body shaking uncontrollably.
My eyes almost bulge out of my head, “What?” I gasp in actual shock, my hand finding her back.
“I just got the call...” she sobs, “He’s dead!”
Guilt twists inside me, sharper than anything I’ve ever felt. For the first time—even with all my experience as a therapist—I’m completely speechless, unable to find any words to comfort her. She pulls back, sniffling, rubbing at her swollen eyes.