“He had several injuries we could only assume someone would receive in a fight. Including a ruptured—”
Mom cleared her throat. “Probably not something we should discuss over lunch.”
Jane grimaced and I played along, feigning a look of disgust as my mind raced. One word from Murphy could send this entire thing crashing to the ground. He knew too much.
Dad leaned back in his chair again with a heavy sigh. “Of course, Jack is refusing to say anything until he has a lawyer present.”
I almost sighed with relief. It was the first and only time I would ever want to thank Murphy for being quiet.
The drive home was silent apart from the low murmur of the radio buzzing in and out of frequency. I was tempted to change the channel to a clearer station but got the thought in my head that moving might start a conversation. Or at least draw attention to myself.
Dad was thinking hard as he drove me home. Whatever was on his mind it was sitting just behind his lips, like he was tossing up when the best moment was to speak. The tension alone set my nerves on edge as I played with the hem of my shirt or clutched at my shoulder bag. When he pulled up outside my apartment, I almost leaped from the car just to escape the feeling but settled myself enough to say a proper goodbye.
“Thanks for the lift, Dad.” I smiled as genuinely as I could, unfastening my seatbelt before reaching for the door.
“Wait.”
I paused and slowly retreated into my seat.
He popped the glove compartment open, revealing an envelope inside which he grabbed and handed to me.
“What’s this?” I turned the unmarked envelope over in my hand.
He sighed as he looked out the windshield; adjusted the watch on his wrist and said calmly, “Without that in evidence, he plays no part in the investigation.”
I hesitated but tore the envelope open.
A single, black and white photo of Dean was inside, with a date and Romeo’s fake signature in the bottom left-hand corner. The exact one I saw on the corkboard in the basement when I returned his phone. The same day he warned me to get out while I had the chance.
The photograph was charred around the edges but somehow survived being turned to ash. I wondered if it was a cruel trick by the universe to remind me of what I once had. Or that I was stupid for starting anything with him in the first place.
Another lump formed in my throat, but I tucked the photo into my bag.
“How—” I swallowed. “How long have you known?”
Dad sighed. “Only from the day we combed through the debris... I'm disappointed you didn't say anything sooner. I thought you knew better.”
I glanced down. Antonio believed I wouldn’t say anything, but that was before the raid. “I worked there...at The Den as a waitress. And then in the basement as a nurse...”
He didn’t say anything.
So, I told him everything. Even as I wondered if it was a good idea, I couldn’t stop myself once I started. I told him how I found Dean; my coincidental job application at The Den. Everything except what Kira and Aiden knew, and the reason why I wanted to change jobs to begin with. My issues with James seemed so small in comparison to what was happening.
When I was done talking, Dad rubbed his chin as he processed it all. His brow lowered over his blue eyes.
I added, “I should’ve said something earlier, but I was terrified. I still am. So if it means witness protection, or you have to arrest me—”
“Nothing happened.”
“What?”
Dad pressed his lips together. “As far as I’m concerned, you had nothing to do with that place. All evidence of you working there was destroyed.”
“You’re-you’re okay with this? With me lying that entire time?”
“Of course not, Lily,” he said sharply. More than disappointed as he glared at me. The glare softened just a fraction. “But you know too much... Just don’t mention any of this to anyone else.”
It was my turn to process as I nodded slowly. None of it sank in yet. I revealed everything to Dad, and he was letting me go?
