“Yeah, I’m sure he’d be talkin’ my ear off. If he wasn’t already dead.”
Abby blinks. “What?”
“He died on Austin’s kitchen floor early this morning.”
I watch the journey from understanding to dismay play out across her face. “How’d you know it was me?”
“I didn’t. Not for sure. But you were the only one on the force who knew where the girls were gonna be last night. Hoyt could’ve followed me back from the station. But you and I know that’s not what happened.”
She rests her elbows on the table and her head in her hands. I let her stay like that for a good long while.
I trusted Abby with my life. With McKenzie’s life, and Holly’s. This whole time, she’s been covering up for those responsible for hurting dozens of girls just like them. Part of me wants to ask if it was ever about more than the money. But I suspect the answer really is that simple. If it isn’t, we’ll find out soon enough.
“I’m arresting you, Detective Coates,” I say. “You have the right to remain silent...”
I leave Abby in the interrogation room to stew in the wake of her own destruction, then join Lieutenant Harris on the other side of the two-way mirror.
“Units checked out Hoyt’s apartment,” he says. “They found your laptop, all smashed up. And an old bible bookmarked with hair samples. Forensics is running the DNA now.” He glances at me sidelong. “You did good work, Larkin.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I know that must’ve been difficult for you.”
“Had to be done.” Underestimating Abby was my mistake. I sure as hell wasn’t gonna let anyone do my dirty work for me.
“It’s a damn shame about that flash drive,” Harris says. “I would’ve liked to have gotten something on King. Maybe our tech guys can recover some of the footage from your laptop.”
“Or maybe there’s an even filthier drive floating around somewhere.”
He cocks his head. “Another drive?”
I shrug. Harris’s usual stony expression cracks for a brief moment. He outright chuckles.
“You know, Larkin,” he says. “Once the dust settles, there’s a good chance you’re looking at a promotion.”
“About that, lieutenant. There’s something you and I need to discuss.”
Chapter Thirty-three
Holly
Kenzie and I sit on opposite ends of a couch in the common area of a hotel suite. We’re supposed to be watching a movie, but in my mind, all I can see is the dead man on the floor in Austin’s kitchen, and Cal’s body covered in blood.
Every loud bang from the television speakers is the echo of the gunshot that woke me.
Cal’s been gone since very early this morning. I know he’s probably at the station, and that the bad guy is still dead, but I can’t help worrying.
Kenzie says it’s normal to worry about the person you love. I’ve never been in love before, but I know it’s not supposed to be this harrowing. There’s nothing I want more than to be with Cal, but after everything that’s happened, I can’t pretend not to know myself. The last five days have been a dream come true and my worst nightmare, all rolled into one.
“Cal, I need to say something.”
“So do I.” He leans back to look at me. “You first.”
I take a steadying breath. “I can’t do this. I love you, but I can’t live every day in fear that you’re going to go off to work and never come home.”
He nods like he was expecting this conversation.
“I understand,” he says soberly. “And I can’t say as I blame you, which is why I didn’t just take the night off.”