Page 101 of Web of Lies

“The first one was around March, some kid from the local high school down in the bluffs.”

“Oh, that one was fucking gnarly,” Seger says, swirling his drink. “I remember hearing about that. Lots of blood; sliced her damn leg.” He cringes at the thought.

“Suicide?” I ask, tilting my head.

“Nah, they said there were too many bruises and shit for that. They think someone forced her to do it,” Chase adds.

“That’s how they all were. She went missing five days before they found her in her own damn bathroom. Just like the rest, missing. Then found dead with some brutal wounds,” Zepp says, still stroking his chin.

“Any evidence?” I question, needing to know more.

“That’s the kicker—” Zepp says.

“They never find a damn clue,” Chase says through a frown as my mind starts to work in overdrive.

“Then—then what if Magnolia was a part of that? What if it’s seven bodies instead of six, but they pulled hers off as suicide instead?”

“I’m gonna be sick,” Chase mumbles from across the table, a green tint taking over his face.

Although this day started well, the night turned sour. Our food comes, we eat in silence. Thinking about all the information we learned. The men from the private room pile out of their room with jovial faces, joking with each other, but they don’t give up any more information.

Seger grabs my hand when we step out of the stuffy restaurant. My lungs fill with the chilled night air. Chase grumbles toward his car, staring at the ground. His hands find comfort in the pockets of his jeans.

“I’ll be right back,” I whisper to Seger, nodding towards Chase, who looks like he’s slipped back into his previous state.

I take off after Chase, stopping in front of him. His broken eyes stare into mine, ripping my soul in half. “What’s wrong?” I ask, running my hands up his arms toward his shoulders.

He scoffs. “What’s wrong? Ugh. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, a good time, and this place ruined it. I just wanted to—” I roll my eyes before he can go off on another tangent and force my lips on his. My fingers work through his hair, pulling him against my body. His body heat pours into mine, fingers settling on my hips.

“Tonight was perfect. Not only the company, the champagne, but we got some leads. I loved tonight. Please don’t beat yourself up over it. I had fun, a lot of fun. Today has been perfect. No matter what, if I’m in your company.” I look around, and the twins have stopped next to us, eyeing Chase and me. “Then I’m safe and…”

“Adored,” Chase finishes for me, life returning to the shadows of his eyes.

I may not be able to save him from the depths of depression, which is impossible, but I can make it easier. I can be there for him, lie in bed with him, and support him through it. Never in my life do I want him to beat himself up about anything ever again.

“And you two,” I keep my hand on Chase’s cheek, reaching up to kiss the lips of Seger and Zepp. “Amazing,” I breathe. “Thank you.”

We all pile in the car, with our hearts in our throats. The night was amazing, despite the tension from our newest lead. I know what I need to do. Zepp agrees to help me too. He can investigate those kinds of things which will help me out.

“FUCK!” Seger shouts from the backseat in a wild panic, hitting the back of my seat with his hand. We pull through the student parking lot, stopping in Chase’s assigned spot.

“Great,” Zepp says sarcastically as we park the car.

We all jump out and stare at the two identical Porsche’s sitting side by side, with shattered glass sitting on the ground—RIP car windows. They beat the car doors in, headlights are broken out, and words are scrawled on their doors.

“You’re next,” Zepp says, staring at the words on his car.

“And then you,” Seger grumbles, kicking at his car. “Whyyy the fuckkkk? My fucking carrrrrrr!” He roars into the air, pounding a fist into the metal. I rush to his side, taking his hand in mine.

“The cameras,” I say, nodding toward the cameras hanging from the buildings and light posts. “I’ll check them.”

“Kace,” Chase whispers from beside my VW bug, a solemn look plastered on his face. My heart sinks at the implication, but I walk over anyway.

“Soulless assholes,” I whisper, running my finger over the etched words on my door. “They aren’t even that creative,” I grumble more at the words Dumbass Freak keyed into every inch of metal on all sides of my car. Great. How in the hell am I going to explain that to my dad? Oh, hey, dad, I’m getting bullied out the ass, and they tore up the car you got me for my birthday. Sorry! Yeah, even I know he won’t take that well at all. Fuck me.

“This had to take them at least an hour to do,” Chase says, rubbing his chin, looking back at his car. “And they better not touch my baby,” he says, pointing back to his car. “Or you…you know, you’re both my baby.” He speaks with wide eyes, making a smile fall on my lips. I snort, watching him try to backtrack over his words.

“One step forward, two giant leaps backward,” Zepp mutters, coming to my side with his phone against his ear.