"Why is Jake doing this?" Charlotte mutters. "The notes, the flowers, Sonny, the heart knifed into the noticeboard."
"At first I thought it was Sonny's." The words spew from my mouth before my brain engages. But Isaac is being threatened next, and who knows which one of us it will be after him. My friends can't be kept in the dark anymore.
Chace's breath catches, and I feel him looking at me. I don't care.
"What?" Sienna rubs her face. "What do you mean?"
I have my friends' undivided attention. "The police didn't tell us this, probably because it could affect the investigation, but Chace overheard a conversation saying that Sonny's...his heart was...missing when we found him," I stammered. "But obviously the heart on the noticeboard was a pig's."
I expected an explosive reaction, but instead, I'm met with silence.
Chace's hand lightly brushes my back, telling me I've done the right thing by telling them. "Sorry we couldn't tell you earlier."
"Are you okay, Isaac?" Sienna asks. Her face is pale.
He shakes his head and looks away. When Isaac shuts down, it's usually best to give him space. Understandably, he needs some time to process, and we have to respect that.
Charlotte and Sienna begin talking in hushed voices, probably about Sonny's heart.
Chace digs his wallet out of his pocket. "Do you want a coffee?" he asks me softly.
"I think I saw Jake the night we found Sonny," I blurt. I keep my voice low so the conversation is just between us.
His eyebrow arches, and he sits forward, the drinks forgotten. "Where?"
"Outside, in the crowd. He was wearing a hoodie. He was staring at the house. Well, I think so. It was difficult to see since he was far away and it was dark."
"Jesus. You should tell Detective Lina."
"I know. I will when she comes back. Do you think it could be him?"
"Possibly. Seems a bit stupid to hang around though. Jake isn't stupid."
I hadn't thought of that. "Right. No, he wouldn't do that, would he?"
"It's probably coincidental. I think I saw about ten people in hoodies that night."
He's right. That guy only caught my eye because he seemed like he was watching our house. God, I hate second-guessing myself. I was sure at the time, but now I feel stupid.
"I'll get you a coffee," Chace says and squeezes my hand.
I watch him get up and walk over to the vending machine where the rest of our friends are settled. He brings me a hot Styrofoam cup.
Bowing my head, I prepare myself for yet more waiting.
*
"How long do you think we will be here?" I ask them after what feels like hours. I look at the clock on the wall--it's only been twenty minutes.
Isaac shrugs, Charlotte doesn't move, Sienna takes a breath, and Chace says, "I have no idea."
I stand and start pacing. After a few minutes, I expand my territory out to the lobby. I'm going out of my mind waiting and drinking coffee. The caffeine was probably a bad idea. I spot Detective Lina walking out of another room and call out to her. She holds up her hand. "Sorry to keep you, Lylah. I'll be with you in five." She disappears behind another door.
I need to know what's going on. Is she questioning someone? Is it a suspect in this case? Is she working on another case?
As I turn around to join the others, someone catches my eye standing at the reception desk. "Zak?"
Jake's older brother, Zak, gives me a fleeting smile. "Hi, Lylah."
I don't really know what to say. Why is he here? His brother could have murdered my friend, not that he would have had anything to do with that. Zak visited Jake at school every two or three months until he dropped out, so I kind of got to know him. We all hung out together in a group.
He runs his hand over his short black hair. "I don't know what to say to you," he admits.
"Is Jake a suspect?"
"We're not sure."
"How so?" I ask, not following what he means.
"We haven't seen him in weeks," Zak tells me. "The last anyone in the family heard from him, he texted to say he needed space to figure out life and was going to do some backpacking or something. He hasn't contacted our parents for a few days. When the police called asking about him, my mom freaked out thinking they were calling to say he was dead. But it's almost as awful to think he could be a suspect. I can't believe it, Lylah."
"That's Lylah? And stop talking like he's guilty, Zak!" snaps a girl who's come up behind him. She has the same black hair and deep brown eyes as Jake and Zak, so I assume she's their sister. Jake told us that he lived with his dad, brother, and sister but I've only ever met Zak before. She looks quite a lot like Jake.
Glowering, he turns to her. "Shut up, Sarah. I'm not saying I believe he did this." Zak turns back to me. "My brother couldn't have done this. Even if he didn't get along with Sonny, that's not motive for murder."
Ignoring Sarah, I say, "I didn't want to think so, but we need to find him so we can settle it either way."
"This is ridiculous, of course she would think that!" Sarah shoots daggers at me from her brown eyes and stalks off toward a man who can only be their father.
"What does she mean by that?"
Zak sighs. "Jake told us about the kiss."
My face reddens, and I don't know why I feel embarrassed. "It wasn't a big deal. He seemed totally fine when--"
"You don't have to explain, Lylah. You didn't like him that way."
"No, I didn't."
Silence falls over us. I've always liked Zak, but right now he feels like the enemy. He will, understandably, want to protect his brother, believe the best of him. Me? I'm not so sure about Jake.
"I should go. Can we meet up later?" he asks suddenly.
I open my mouth, ready to give him an excuse, but he sees straight through me.
"Lylah, please. Bring your friends too. I want to help. Jake isn't responsible for this, and maybe we can work that out together if you hear me out."
"You want to convince us your brother isn't a sick murderer?" Chace's voice booms behind me, and I jump. His eyes flame with hatred.
"That's not going to happen," I say, backing Chace up. "When the cops find Jake, if he's innocent, I'll apologize. But until then, he's the only person we can think of who could hold a grudge."
Zak's posture changes. He straightens his back and puffs out his chest. "A killer is on the loose, and you're playing guessing games."
"Your brother is the killer," Chace says. "Lylah, come back in here with us. This conversation is going nowhere, and we probably shouldn't be talking to the suspect's family."
"You don't know he did anything wrong!" Zak challenges, his voice thick with worry.
"He's not the one who was carved up and left in our goddamn editing suite, that's how I know!"
Chace is unnecessarily mean, but emotions are high. Sonny had a horrible death, and we found his body.
"Let's go, Chace," I say, reaching out and placing my hands on his chest. He doesn't move when I apply pressure. I'm trying to get him to go back in the waiting room, but he's too strong for me to force.
I widen my eyes at him, pleading. "Chace, please."
This time he listens. His hand circles my wrist, and he steps back into the waiting room, taking me with him. Although he's walking away from Zak, his attention is still fully on him.
"What was that about?" Isaac asks once Chace and I are seated again.
Chace finally snaps out of his stare-off with Zak and shrugs.
Sienna closes the door, scowling at Jake's family, who are now talking to Detective Lina. I guess she won't be with us in a minute after all.
"Zak doesn't think Jake had anything to do with this... But he's been kind of MIA since before Sonny's murder."
"The very fact that Jake hasn't been in touch makes him look guilty as hell," Isaac says. "Why can't they get in touch with him?"
I shrug. "Zak didn't say. He went off to find himself or something. Maybe they're worried that somet
hing bad has happened to Jake too. They want to believe the best in Jake, obviously. No one wants a killer in their family," I reply.
"Well they have one, and the cops better find Jake soon," Chace says, narrowing his eyes at Jake's family.
I get that Chace needs answers and is looking for someone to blame, but he seems so definitive. How can he be so sure? Or is he just desperate for answers and an end to this? I look over as Detective Lina shows Jake's dad into a room. Two other officers take Sarah and Zak into separate rooms.
"They're being interviewed," I mutter. "If they discover where Jake is hiding this could all be over soon."
If.
10
Monday
February 5
Detective Lina decided that the five of us should have around-the-clock protection, so I have a cop--Officer Grey--with me on the way to the library. There is a car parked outside our house and, until Sonny's killer is found, we will all have officers acting as our shadows.
This should make me feel more comfortable, but it's attention I really don't want. Sonny's murder and the rest of us being stalked is all anyone can talk about on campus. People who used to say hi to me now either stare or look the other way, whispering to their friends. It's like they think they'll become a target if they interact with me. I don't know. Maybe they would. But I hate being avoided like I have some contagious disease. I thought about escaping--packing a bag and heading home to see Riley--but that wouldn't solve anything. As much as I love my brother, he couldn't comfort me like my mom would've. Besides, I can't take time off without it having a negative impact on my grades.
In my pocket, my phone vibrates with a text message making me jump. My hand flies to my racing heart. So much for the police detail making me feel less skittish.
I pull out the phone. Riley. Of course, it's Riley. How are you?
Sighing, I tap a reply. I'm fine. Promise. Going to study.
You sure? I can come if you need me.
I'm good. Honest. Try not to worry about me.
You're my baby sister and the only family I have left.
He doesn't elaborate, but he doesn't need to. When we lost Mom and Dad, we lost everything. Everything except each other. There is no one else. No grandparents, no aunts or uncles, no one. We are a family of two.
I send him three heart emojis and slip my phone back in my pocket. Riley shouldn't have to pick up my pieces time and time again because I'm not strong enough to hold it together. He's had to do enough of that already.
"Lylah?" Officer Grey prompts since I've stopped outside the library.
"Sorry. Are you going to come in too?"
He gives me a curt nod. Dressed in black suit trousers, a cream shirt, and a heavy jacket, he doesn't look much like a police officer. But it's painfully clear he's not a student. Still, I'm grateful he's not in uniform.
"Of course," I say. Nothing is going to happen to me in the library with so many people around, but his instructions are clear: don't let Lylah out of sight.
I push open the door and keep my head down. At least it's warm in here. He follows me along the short corridor and into the main part of the library. Although I don't make eye contact with anyone, I can feel people around watching me.
Grey leans in. "Are you okay?" he whispers.
The walls close in until I feel like I'm standing in a cell. Everyone around me seems so much bigger, like they're giants.
There's no air in here. I need to get out.
"Can we leave?" I ask Grey. Of course we can, I don't actually need his permission. Move your legs, Lylah.
"Yeah, come on," Grey says.
Somehow I manage to make myself move. Grey accompanies me back outside, this time walking next to me, rather than a step behind. His blue eyes are alert and concerned.
"Lylah, are you okay?"
I breathe deeply once the fresh air hits me. "I'm fine now. Sorry, that was really embarrassing."
"What happened?"
"They were all watching me."
He nods. "People will do that. Ignore it."
"Easier said than done."
He replies with a sympathetic smile. "This won't be forever."
No, but how long will it take for the police to find the killer?
I decide I'd be more comfortable working at home, so we start walking back. Soon, I spot Zak by a cafe on the corner. He's alone, unless his dad and sister are inside. His arms are folded, and he looks deep in thought, eyebrows furrowed together.
Against my better judgement, I start toward him with my bodyguard trailing behind. We haven't been told to stay away from Jake's family, but given the circumstances, it's probably best we do. Still, I can't quite bring myself to stop. If anyone in Jake's family is willing to do what's necessary to find Jake, it's Zak.
He sees me and walks toward me with long strides. "Lylah, hey." His eyes flick over my shoulders, probably looking for one of my friends.
"I'm alone," I say. "Well, aside from Officer Grey, that is."
"Right, you have...protection." Clearing his throat, he looks at the ground, ashamed.
"We don't blame you, Zak. I know this is awful for you too."
He raises his eyes. "I think Chace blames me."
I shake my head and take a step closer. "No, he's angry, scared, and confused, but he knows this isn't your fault."
"Thank you."
"Have you heard from Jake yet?"
"No. His phone has been turned off for the last four days. I tried this morning and my dad is constantly calling and texting. He won't answer anyone."
"Four days. So his phone was on after Sonny died?"
Zak wets his bottom lip with his tongue. "Yes."
At this point, I don't even know if that means anything. It's still not proof that Jake killed Sonny and sent those notes. We need something solid so the cops can make headway.
"How is your dad?" I ask.
"He's devastated. We haven't had contact with Jake, and now he's a suspect in a horrible murder investigation."
I want to ask if his family still thinks Jake is innocent, but they probably do. I wouldn't give up on someone I love.
"What are your theories?"
"He's been hurt. That's pretty much all we got." Zak's nostrils flare as he takes a sharp breath.
"Pretty much? What aren't you telling me, Zak?"
"Nothing."
"If you know something, you need to tell me. Or tell the police."
"Lylah, I know you want answers, but I don't have them."
"I think you're lying. Your dad and sister seem sure that Jake is innocent. Why aren't you sure, Zak? What do you know? Was something going on that we don't know about?"
Officer Grey steps closer to me, visually warning that he will step in if he feels like he needs to.
Zak rubs his temples. "Stop pushing, Lylah. I had one moment of doubt because the police are pushing it, but that's it."
I still don't believe him.
"Sonny is dead, Zak. If there is anything you need to tell the police, you have to do it. Isaac has been threatened. Other people lives are at risk here. Including mine."
"Lylah," Officer Grey warns.
Zak ignores him completely. "I'm sorry for that, Lylah, I really am. But I can't help you. I've always liked you and your friends, so if there was anything I could do to help, I would. I'm already trying to contact my brother, and I'm cooperating with the police. Whatever you think I'm hiding, you need to get it out of your head. There's nothing I know that the police don't. I've been completely honest."
"Okay," I concede. "I'm sorry for pushing. This is all impossibly stressful. Jake was our friend. I don't want it to be him."
"But you still think it is. Are you sure there's no one else that might have done this? Jake hasn't been to this school in months, so why would he do this?" He bows his head.
I hate talking about his brother like this, but Zak needs to face the reality that his brother could be a murderer.
"You must think I'm
an idiot for still believing he wouldn't do this," he tells me softly.
"No. Of course I don't."
"I can't give up on him, Lylah."
We're at an impasse, so I change the subject. "Where are you staying?"
"Knights Hotel. It's nearby."
"Is it nice?"
He snorts. "Not really. But it's cheap, and we don't know how long we'll be in town." He eyes Officer Grey. "Does that guy follow you everywhere?"
Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms. "Everywhere but the bathroom."
Zak laughs. "Is it driving you crazy?"
"Yeah."
"I'm glad you have protection." He smiles, holding my gaze a fraction too long.
Biting my lip, I shift on my feet. "Um, thanks. That's...er...flattering."
Holding up his hands, he says, "Whoa, I wasn't coming on to you! I meant I'm glad all of you are safe."
Oh my God, is my face actually on fire? It feels like it is.
"Oh, I know you weren't."
I'm such an idiot! How self-centered I am to assume he only meant me?
"What are you doing with her?" Behind Zak, Sarah stands with two coffees in her hands, trying to strike me down with a glare.
Sighing, Zak turns to his sister. "We were talking."
"Well, don't. You know what it and its friends think of Jake."
It. Nice one.
"Drop it, Sarah," Zak growls.
She shoves a coffee at him, and it almost spills as he takes it. "I can't believe you're siding with her!"
"I'm not siding with anyone! Lylah's done nothing wrong."
"She's accused our brother of murder, and now our whole family is being treated like suspects."
I can't help but lash out. "How do we know you're not?" I shouted.
Officer Grey steps almost completely in front of me. "We need to leave."
"Lylah!" Zak snaps.
I ignore him. I'm sick of Sarah and the snotty attitude she's giving me. This might not be her fault, but it's not mine either.
"You can go to hell, bitch," she spits. "You have no idea what you're talking about. You strut around here, throwing people away when you're bored of them, and then have the audacity to incriminate one of them in murder case."
"Sarah, stop. This isn't doing any good," Zak growls, playing referee.
"Enough!" Officer Grey snaps. "We're leaving, Lylah." He turns to Zak and Sarah. "I suggest you two do the same."
A few students stop to openly and unapologetically gawk at our exchange. Sarah is getting more and more agitated, her shoulders tilting back and eyes narrowing.
She's giving the crowd a good show. And I suppose I am too.