Page 64 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

“I also need some air,” I said, gesturing for America to follow me outside.

I grabbed an umbrella, and America stayed snuggled up to me as we walked to the complex playground. “This is scaring me.”

“Don’t freak out. You know me, I’m just being overly cautious,” I said.

“Are you seriously telling me right now that you really think your apartment is bugged?”

“I … I don’t know. But what I do know is that journalists atThe Eastern Starare investigating the fire. Justin and Ricky, the guys Travis went after at The Red.”

America seemed confused. “What’sThe Eastern Star?”

“The campus newspaper.”

“Eastern has a newspaper?”

“Yes, Mare. Focus.”

“Okay, they’re investigating the fire. Seems like it should be on their radar, happening on campus and being the largest tragedy in Eastern’s history.”

“Yeah, but …” I trailed off.

“Oh. Oh, you’re right. Them asking questions, not good.”

The fire had become something of an elephant in the room. We couldn’t talk about it for Shepley and American’s sake, but they knew we were there. Ironically, what they say about lies is the truth: one has to be built on another. Even the best lies ever told are never-ending, shaky bridges to the truth.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

I looked at my phone. “I might have a solution. I did some digging, and Justin and Ricky apparently have a gambling problem.”

“No way. Where did you hear that? That’s too convenient.”

I shrugged. “Parker. And he had no idea he was telling on them. It’s as if the Universe is on our side.”

“What are you going to do?”

“There’s a poker game every Thursday night at the Sig Tau house. I’m going.”

America’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s tonight.”

I nodded.

“Travis is at work. You’re going by yourself?”

I nodded. “Parker will be there.”

America frowned.

“Travis is aware,” I said quickly.

Her expression softened.

“I have two hundred dollars. I was wondering …”

“Yeah, yeah,” she said, pulling me back to the apartment.

When we reached the door, America made a beeline for her purse.

“Thank you,” I said.