“I have time, the money, and the thought of it is exciting.It’ll be the start of a new me.One where I can prioritize me and what I want.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Ally said.“Isn’t it, Josh...”
Romeo frowned when Josh didn’t immediately agree.
“When are you going?”Josh murmured.
“New Year’s Eve.I want to wake up somewhere different on New Year’s Day.”
“Oh, boy,” Josh muttered.
“Hey,” Chad whispered.“What is it?”
“You’re not giving me much of a window to find her.”
Chad exhaled.“Josh...”
“I swore to you I’d get her, but she’s gone, and a week isn’t long enough, not when this has gotten even more complicated.”
Romeo’s frown deepened.
“Stop,” Chad said firmly.“You don’t need to find Keeley for me—”
“Of course I do.I want to give you closure.”
“I’ve got it.”
“How can you possibly—”
“I know the truth.I know what she was doing, not just to me, but others.For months I’ve been tortured by dreams I couldn’t remember.I was losing time, and getting confused, and the week before I jumped, I felt like I was losing my damn mind.I felt like I was going crazy.But now I know I wasn’t.Now I know why.My mind is clearer than it has been in years.”
“But I have to find her.What if she does this to someone else.”
Keeley couldn’t.She could never fill another person’s head with her poison again, but Chad couldn’t tell Josh that.
“I knew there was something off about her.”Ally muttered.“I told you I was one of her clients once.”
“Actually, she told me.”
“Lucky escape.”Ally sighed.“If only I could’ve saved you from her too.”
“You said I was going to die at the hands of a serial killer.”
“That I did, and sometimes it’s exhausting always being right.”
“With age comes wisdom,” Josh said.“And considering your age, you’re practically Master Yoda of the policing world or something.”
“I’d go with theor something,” Chad mused.
“You two are horrible,” Ally announced.“Christmas dinner at 1:00,” she reminded, “and don’t be late.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Boxing Day pizza?”Josh asked.
“Sounds great.”Chad replied.
“Merc!”Josh called.
