Page 52 of Symphony for Lies

“Zane, could you take them a few steps back?”

“You’re not actually going to open that, are you?”

“I have to.”

“Then let me do it.”

Before he could approach the bushes, the children latched onto him with a whimper, forcing him to take a step back instead.

I could see the conflict in his demeanor, but his arms instinctively moved protectively in front of the children.

His gaze burned into me like he was waiting for me to break, for the fear to overtake me. But I wouldn’t. Not in front of them.

The metallic scent grew stronger as I moved forward, and the chemicals stung my nose.

I glanced toward the statue, noticing faint scribbles. Some looked like they’d been made by children, but there was also a barely noticeable number carved into the stone.

Everything seemed to fade. Zane was murmuring reassurances to the kids, but I barely heard him.“Amelia, don’t.”

I ignored him.

I crouched, my fingers hovering over the zipper before slowly, carefully pulling it open.

My stomach turned immediately.

Inside were tangled wind chimes smeared with dark, dried blood, aster flowers, and beneath them was a grotesquely mutilated dog. Its fur was soaked through with red. And next to it lay a hand.

The world tilted, and I barely registered the gasps from behind me.

With a heavy heart, I slammed the bag shut, shoving a trembling hand over my mouth to fight back a wave of nausea.

The air felt thick, suffocating.

Something about the situation felt different from the other case. Was this unfinished? Was the killer here watching us?

Muffled sobs from Simon and Jade snapped me back to reality.

I forced a breath and slowly stood up on unsteady legs.

“What’s inside?” Zane’s hands landed firmly on my waist, steadying me before I could stumble.

“Call the police,” I whispered faintly.

“Amelia?”

“Call the police,” I repeated in a firmer tone.

Zane exhaled sharply, guiding me toward the children before letting go and doing as I said.

A moment of silence hung between us all, thick with unease.

“What was in there?” Simon asked, trying desperately to sound brave despite his ashen face.

“It looks like someone bad did something terrible,” I murmured.

Jade sniffled, and Simon’s small body shook against me.

My grip on the kids tightened instinctively as I scanned the schoolyard, half-expecting to see a shadow lurking in the distance. But there was nothing.