Page 113 of Dead Love

The pattern filled my mind; right before the election, my father found new causes to back his election: youth violence, drunk driving, and now, the Echo deaths. But it had never seemed as timely, or as fabricated, as it did right then.

Maybe Vincent had been attacked by the Echo Killer, only it was Andrew, like Vincent had said.

“Be careful of what you’re saying,” Sheriff Mike said, the grin fading from his face. “Now, all of thosevictimshad one thing in common: they chose to be out. Chose to drink and take drugs. Chose to drive home. I never made their choices for them. Neither did the Echo Killer.”

“What about Nyla?” I asked. “She never did that kind of stuff. She rarely even drank! She only went out to 52 Peaks because it was her birthday and she wanted to dance.”

He lifted his shoulders. “You know, Andrew questioned me when it came to her too.” He gazed at the ground. “But we can’t make exceptions. It’s how these things work. No one is safe.”

My eyes bulged from my head. “She was my only friend!”

“I know. It’s tragic.” He gave a deep sigh, rubbing his forehead. “But sacrifices have to be made for the good of the people. Even a good girl like Nyla can’t always get off the hook. Besides,” he ran a hand over his chin, “I always thought she was a bad influence on you. She put ideas in your head, making you think you were unhappy. I never liked her.”

My jaw dropped, my head pounding. “You killed Nyla,” I whispered.

“It’s a good thing your mother didn’t want you to go. You can thank Andrew for reminding her of the Echo deaths.” He shook his head. “I would have supported all three of you going that night.”

A sour taste filled my throat. The world spun around me. “You would have wanted us to die too? To kill us?” I couldn’t swallow, no matter how hard I tried. Nausea came swimming back, burning my throat. “Even Mom?Your wife?”

“Be careful, now.” He clenched his teeth together. “I never lifted a finger. But it’s easy to add your friend, Vincent, to the list next.” His lips transformed into a grin. “Catie would run the business much better than he could anyway.”

Every inch of my body stiffened. “Don’t you dare hurt him,” I said, “or my mother, you bastard.”

He ignored me. “You know Andrew. He’s always itching to prove his capabilities.” He chuckled to himself. “And taking down Vincent would be the best way to redeem himself. And if that doesn’t work? Maybe he can add you and your mother too.”

My stomach turned. I held my mouth, trying not to get sick. I couldn’t look at him. Couldn’t face what this all meant.

He stepped closer, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. “Don’t do anything you might regret,” he said in a menacing voice. “And don’t embarrass me. I would hate for you to become the last victim of the Echo Killer.”

My breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t move. “I’ve got to go check on Mom,” I finally said.

“I’ll call her to come pick you up.”

The minutes passed by in a fog. By the time Shea picked me up, a headache pounded through my skull, my stomach nauseous. In the passenger seat, I heard my name, but I didn’t move. I couldn’t do anything.

“Are you awake?” Shea asked.

I startled. “What did you say?”

“I have a surprise for you at home.” She beamed at me, like nothing in the world could possibly be wrong. Would she believe me about my father and the Echo deaths if I told her? Or was she part of it too?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

A squad car was parked in front of the house. My stomach twisted into knots. Nothing was safe. What was happening?

Andrew stood from the couch when we entered the room. “Miss Kora. Miss Shea,” he said, his thumbs tucked in his belt loops. “It’s always a pleasure.”

I turned to my mother, my mouth pinched together. “Why is he here?”

“Kora!” she scowled. “That’s no way to treat your future husband.”

“Future husband?” I yelped. “What?”

“Andrew has asked for our blessing to marry you.” She clapped her hands together. “Your father and I couldn’t pick a better husband for you. He’ll protect you like your father protects me.”

My face was numb. Everything turned dull.

“I promise to do all of that and more for you, Miss Kora,” Andrew said. “You deserve the world.”