Page 3 of Symphony for Lies (Tangled Truths #2)

My ringtone ripped me from sleep like ice-cold water to the face. It felt like I had barely rested an hour. My eyes burned with exhaustion, begging to close again, but Linda’s voice echoed over the line.

The police interrogation was scheduled for today, and she had specifically asked me to be there to help explain the unusual patterns in the poisonings. So, I pushed past the fatigue and went to the clinic.When I arrived, Linda stood in front of the cabinet, her face white from shock.

“Rica…” Her voice trembled. “...is gone.”

I blinked in confusion. “What?”

Besides Linda, I had been one of the first to arrive because we were supposed to prepare the cat for the police. Even though the cause of death was already confirmed, they still wanted to take her to examine the body.

But all of the storage units were empty.

A cold shiver crawled down my spine.

I stepped closer, opening one compartment. Another. Then, a third. Nothing.

“How is this possible?”

I knew, without a doubt, that I had placed Rica inside the first compartment. I had locked it. No one outside of the staff had access to this room. How could that cat have vanished?

She was dead. She couldn’t have just gotten up and walked away.

Linda’s phone rang, and she answered it quickly. After a few seconds, her expression darkened.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered, rubbing her forehead as she hung up. “The police canceled. They won’t be here until tomorrow.”

The uneasy feeling in my stomach only grew stronger.

“Check the surveillance system,” she instructed. “Someone must have taken the cat out of the compartment.”

I hesitated. “But who would do something like that?”

“That’s what we need to find out!”

I nodded and went to find the maintenance manager.

Jeffrey Stone—or Jeff, as he preferred—was already waiting for me. He was a warm-hearted elderly man who habitually slipped bits of wisdom into nearly every conversation.

But given the situation, he looked just as serious as I felt.

We settled into the small surveillance room and started going through the footage.

Seconds passed. Minutes. Hours.

Our eyes stayed glued to the screens, searching for any movement, shadow, or hint. But it was as if the universe was working against us.

“Nothing,” I muttered, disheartened.

Jeff let out a long sigh. “We’re not exactly trained for this.” He rubbed a hand over his bald head. His fawn skin looked paler than usual.

I leaned back in my chair. “The police should be the ones reviewing this.”

“Should, would, could… But honestly, who would install a camera in a storage room for dead animals?”

I wanted to agree, but the sinking feeling in my chest wouldn’t disappear.

“I’m installing one anyway,” Jeff stated after a brief pause.

My gaze flickered back to the screens.“Do you think it will happen again?”

He was silent for a moment. Then, with another deep sigh, he said, “I wouldn’t rule it out… Maybe it’s just the beginning…”

That made a chill creep over my skin.

Jeff and I spent hours combing through the footage, but by the end, we were no closer to an answer than when we had started.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford to stay any longer—I had a tutoring session.

Linda wasn’t happy when I reported the day’s failure, and her suspicion grew with every passing second. We didn’t have many workers, but sure as hell, no one would have taken a dead cat.

“Angela and Jenny will be handing out flyers tomorrow,” she informed me curtly. “People need to keep a closer eye on their pets. No eating food from outside, no long stays in public parks, etc.”

It was hardly a solution, but it was a start.

“Have we gotten the lab results yet?”

She shook her head. “Still waiting.”

I nodded and left the clinic when my shift finally ended.

Something about the situation didn’t feel right. Not at all.

The Coles’ villa cast long shadows over the pristine gravel path, and in the distance, the soft trickling of a water fountain echoed through the quiet estate as I stepped out of the taxi.

I had seen the property many times from afar. But every time I stood in front of it, it felt colder.

A small sigh left my mouth as I gathered my patience for the upcoming lesson. As I raised my hand to ring the bell, the door suddenly swung open, and someone stepped out.

Automatically, I took a step back.

And the other person did the same.

Our eyes met.

My breath caught.

Zane Cole.

I knew him. Of course, I knew him. But I had never seen him this close before.

On stage, he seemed untouchable—his dark aura, effortless elegance, and the sheer perfection with which he played the violin made him feel like someone out of reach.

And yet, there he was, standing just a step away. Looking even better up close.

Dark jeans, a black shirt stretched over a broad, muscular frame, strong shoulders, long legs, and a face so striking—with a sharp jawline and full lips—it was almost inhumanly perfect.

But it was his eyes that held me captive.

They were deep, warm brown, darker than espresso, darker than the night itself.

His gaze traveled over me. Slowly. Way too slowly.

I swallowed hard.

In a voice as rich and smooth as velvet, he broke the silence, “I thought… you were taller.”

I blinked.

What?

I must’ve misheard.

“What are you doing here?”

No greeting. No courtesy. Just pure dominance.

I had to tilt my head to meet his gaze. He stared down at me, watching me with an unapologetic confidence that almost threw me off balance.

Snapping myself out of my daze, I straightened. “A simple ‘good evening’ would’ve been too much to ask for, huh?”

Zane didn’t react. His expression remained unreadable, but his gaze dragged over me again. This time, even more deliberately.

My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag, and I shook my head as I tried to move past him. But he raised his arm, blocking my way.

I froze. His presence was overwhelming.

There was an awkward silence for a moment, and then he spoke in a quiet murmur that sent chills down my spine. “You’re not here for me.”

It wasn’t a question.

I frowned. “No.”

His eyes narrowed slightly as if considering something. “Then… Simon?”

I don’t know why that threw me off, but instead of answering, I simply nodded.

His lips curled, but the expression was not a smile. It was more like a sneer. “Should’ve figured.”

Something about his tone made my skin prickle.

“Let me through.”I tried to move past him again, but he didn’t budge.

With a sigh, I pressed the doorbell, hoping another family member or Mrs. Thompson would come and settle this.

Zane’s stare sharpened.“Since when have you been tutoring Simon?”

“For a few months now,” I answered, keeping my tone cool.

Something flickered in his eyes. And a smirk played on his lips. It was not genuine or friendly but definitely amused.

My patience had been running thin all day, and he was dangerously close to testing the last of it.

“I’m coming!” Simon’s yell broke the tension.The child slipped through the narrow gap between the doorframe and Zane’s body, immediately running into my arms.

“There you are! I’ve been waiting for you!” He hugged me, and I felt some tension ease from my shoulders for the first time since arriving.

The kid barely reached my stomach in height, but I knew he would catch up to his father and brother one day. They were both very tall.

“Hey, Simon. I’m sorry I got held up.” I returned his hug and glanced back at the older sibling.

Wordlessly, he stepped aside.

Simon let go of me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me inside. Pausing, he said,“This is my big brother, Zane. The one I told you about! He just got back a few days ago.” Then, he gestured at me. “Zane, this is my tutor—”

“Amelia.” Zane cut him off.

My brows raised. He knew my name?

“Oh! So, you two already know each other?” Simon beamed.

I looked back at the young boy, who seemed happy about our acquaintance. His long black hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and, as always, he was dressed far too formally for his age with a buttoned-up shirt and pressed jeans.

Zane cleared his throat.

For a second, I expected an apology.

But instead, he said, “A few months, huh? That’s a long time… for me not to notice.”

He was picking up our conversation as if it had never been interrupted.

I rolled my eyes, putting on my most professional smile. I wasn’t about to let Zane drag me into his mind games.“I’m not here to be noticed by you.”

He let my words hang in the air. Then, in a lazy drawl, he murmured, “What a shame… ”

My heart skipped a beat.

His eyes were on me. Too intense. Too demanding.

I turned away. “Come on, Simon. We have a lot to cover to––”

“I’m pretty sure I’ve seen you at a few of my performances before.” Zane’s voice slid through the air like a slow melody.

I stopped moving.

“Are you a fan of mine?” His stare was unreadable.

I swallowed.

What was this? Why was he pushing this unnecessary conversation further?

“I’ve always been a fan of your playing…” I paused for a beat. “But not necessarily a fan of you.”

One of his brows lifted, and his smirk widened.“Really?”

“Really.” I held his gaze, adding, “And honestly, an apology would be appropriate.”

His expression didn’t change. “For what?”

I squinted my eyes. Seriously?

Simon shifted uncomfortably. “Was my brother mean to you? I’m sorry, I should’ve warned him.”

“Oh no. Don’t worry. It was just a misunderstanding. No one’s at fault,” I reassured him quickly.

“Then I don’t have to apologize.” Zane’s unneeded remark made my nerves snap, so I turned away.

“Come on, Simon. We have work to do.”

I ushered the boy toward the stairs, heading for the study.

As we climbed, I glanced back just once.

Zane was still watching.

Our eyes met.

Then, he blew me a playful kiss. And bowed.

I shook my head.

What a jerk.