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I patted her back. “I have closure now. He didn’t deserve us. He could climb his political ladder to become president, but in my eyes, he’ll always be the man who never took responsibility.”

I left the part about the auction out of the conversation. She’d ask questions, and I didn’t want her to know I’d been abducted. That alone could hinder her healing further.

I could share another truth that would delight her. “I’m in love, Mom.”

“It shows.” Her eyes gleamed.

“I also want to pursue something that has just been a hobby.”

“What is it?”

I told her about my nature photography and greeting card ideas. I’d never seen my mom happier than at this moment when I went after my dreams, not because it paid well but because it made my heart soar.

CHAPTERFIFTY-SIX

FORREST

“Everything okay, Hank?” I asked, enteringan empty room.

“Yes,”he choked. “They found my sister.The DNA test confirmed the remains belonged to Nikky. She can be buried now.” A moment of silence followed, and I let it settle, giving him the closure he needed.

When Hank told me about his missing sister and his suspicion, I’d reached out to my influential friends who got me an approval to siphon the lake for the remains of the missing people. Hank mentioned seeing people in boats out on the lake many times late at night, including the days when his sister disappeared. I’d assumed she could be down there.

The city didn’t hesitate, because I paid for the entire process and they saved face by bringing closure to families.

“Thank you for your help. It made my mom happy and sad. But we don’t have to wonder anymore.”

“You’re welcome.” Closure was something I’d been working on for myself for years, so I understood the pain he’d endured.

My quest for Red Venom would come to an end soon. It had always been a matter of when, not if.

“The authorities said they found ten bodies in bags. I knew she was down there all these years, but no one listened to me.”

I didn’t know what to tell him to make him feel better. The corruption that existed within the city and beyond was something he didn’t need to know about. The more he knew, the more danger he’d be in.

“When did they find the bodies?” I inquired.

“Last night,” Hank said. “Oh,something awful happened this morning.”

“What?” I prepared myself for another shocking news event.

“Officer St. Pierre got into a car accident and died at the scene.”

The Trogyn had gotten to Bruce. Did they catch him searching for information for me? Or was this murder a simple discard of incompetence? He’d been doomed the moment he started working for them.

“Did you know the warehouse where they kept Kiera burned down last night?”

They were getting rid of evidence.

“I heard. Thanks for the update.”

Now that Kiera was home and safe, I could dedicate my time to finding Red Venom and his connection to The Trogyn. The fact that he’d produced shoes from human skin made me want to peel his off and hang it to dry. His skin didn’t deserve to be made into anything. Filth like him didn’t deserve to waste an atom of oxygen.

I couldn’t dismiss this unsettling feeling stirring in my gut. Something awful was about to happen, and I couldn’t decipher if it was my intention toward Red Venom or something else. It could also be the accumulated stress from the past week that I hadn’t fully shaken off.

“There's one more thing.” Hope sprouted in Hank’s voice.

I just realized something that made me smile. There was goodness in the world after all. But I’d share that with him later.