Page 158 of Symphony for Lies

Spencer’s expression darkened. “You think it was Mr. Watson?”

My blood boiled.

If that was true… If Watson had some twisted connection to that place…

“It’s ideal.”

A maze full of dead ends. A place where you could get lost. It could be a trap. Or it could be exactly what we were looking for.

Spencer gave me a firm nod. “Then what the hell are we waiting for?”

I was going to find Amelia. And if that sick bastard had laid a single finger on her, I would tear him apart.

Chapter 33

Zane's POV

As we sped through the city, I called my mother. I needed confirmation.

She picked up quickly.“Zane? What’s wrong?”

It wasn’t normal for me to call her, especially not at such a late hour. Ever since the fucking disaster with Ella and my mother’s ridiculous engagement stunt, we had barely spoken. Just thinking about it made my blood boil.

“Do you know Gilbert Watson?” I cut straight to the point.

Silence.

“What? Why are you—?”

“I don’t have time for this. Do you know him or not?”

“Zane, watch your tone! I’m still your mother.”

A mother who wanted to sell me off to an unwanted marriage and tear me away from the love of my life.

I exhaled sharply, “Just answer the question.”

She sighed,“I’ve apologized for my mistakes. Please don’t keep punishing me for them.”

I shut my eyes for a brief second, inhaling deeply, forcing my voice to remain steady. “Please. This is important. Do you know him?”

“…Gilbert Watson… yes, I knew him. He was a rival of mine once. He had talent, real talent. He was an artist.”

Her voice softened, sounding almostnostalgic.“He had a vision. He was brilliant—”

“You once told me your class hung wind chimes outside an old community center. What was that about?”

“Oh… yes,”she murmured, lost in thought.“That was a special project. Gilbert arranged them in a specific order to create a melody of peace. A farewell song for the departed. A symbol of rest for those who passed.He did it for his daughter. She died young. After that, he left town. I never heard from him again.”

A farewell for the dead.

And he had become a killer?

“Why are you asking about him?”

I hesitated. I wasn’t planning to tell her the truth, but the words left my mouth anyway. “I think he’s the serial killer. And I think he has Amelia.”

A sharp inhale.“Oh my God.”