“We would have been home already but I wanted ice cream so we drove in a different direction, and that’s why we were hit,” he said between deep breaths.
Riley began rubbing consoling circles on Josh’s back, trying to calm his breathing.
“Oh, Josh,” Garrett said, and he reached over to put a hand on his knee. “That still wouldn’t make it your fault. It was just a terrible accident, okay?”
Josh nodded through his tears.
“Are you okay for me to keep going?” Garrett asked. Riley had never heard him speak so… sympathetically. This must have been him in detective mode. Riley was thankful for it.
“There’s more?” Josh asked, drawing a nod from Garrett. “Yeah, tell me everything.”
“Okay, but this is where I need you guys to promise me that what I tell you doesn’t go beyond us three. I’m getting into some classified information.”
Riley turned to Josh and spoke slowly so Josh would understand the severity of the situation.
“You okay with that Josh? This info is only for us. We can’t tell anyone else about it. If you’re not comfortable hearing more, this is enough for you to know that it wasn’t your fault.It wasn’t your fault. That’s what matters most here.”
Josh blinked at him and nodded.
“I get it. I’d like to know a little bit more. I think I need to know why,” Josh responded, his voice cracking.
Riley nodded and turned to Garrett. “Tell us what you can.”
Garrett continued. “Well, the second officer on the scene’s name is redacted. It took some sleuthing and some help to find him. That officer is now a high-ranking official in the U.S. government. I’m sorry, but for your own safety, I’m not going to tell you who.”
“What the fuck?” Riley whispered.
“Josh, do you know what your parents did for work?” Garrett asked.
“They were scientists. They were doing some kind of research. They didn’t talk about it much according to mymom and dad or Riley’s parents.”
Garrett nodded. “It’s true. Your parents emigrated to the United States to work on a new weight-loss drug. America pulled in some Chinese scientists to help develop the drug, but your parents discovered some dangerous side effects and tried to put a halt on human testing. YourMamasubmitted a complaint and the car accident happened days after she submitted it.”
“You’re saying some pharmaceutical company killed them to hide the side effects?” Riley asked. Another thought made his stomach drop. “Is Josh in danger?”
“There’s no reason to think Josh is in danger. It’s been twenty-five years so they likely assume you don’t know anything. And remember, even after we talk, youstillknow nothing,” Garrett asserted, reminding them this conversation never happened. “To answer your first question, not exactly. It turns out the side effects made the drug useless for the pharmaceutical company, but it caught the eye of the military, which put your parents in the crosshairs. This is apparently part of something much bigger, but yourMamaandBàbadid everything they could to save people. Your parents were heroes, but it cost them their lives. I’m so sorry, Josh.”
Josh broke out in a choked sob and buried his head in the crook of Riley’s neck. All Riley could do was hold him, reassuring him that he was there for him, tears streaming down his own face. He turnedto Garrett to see his eyes were glassy as well.
This couldn’t have been easy to break to Josh, to someone so sweet and kind. Riley figured part of Josh was relieved that he wasn’t responsible for the death of his parents, that he was likely proud of them for standing up to corruption. Despite that, he couldn’t imagine hearing this kind of information. It wouldn’t be easy for anyone to learn someone they loved died from such a complex web of what sounded like government conspiracy.
“Thanks for looking into this for us,” Riley said to Garrett, still holding Josh tightly against him.
“Of course,” he said solemnly. “If I ever get to the bottom of it, I’ll fill you in, but that’s a big if,” he said, taking one more look at Josh before he collected the papers on the coffee table and shuffled them into the file folder. “I’ll get out of your hair, but let me know if there’s anything else you need.”
He stood to leave, and Josh pulled away from Riley, jumping off the couch and pulling Garrett into a hug.
“Thank you,” he rasped. “I don’t know how to repay you.”
Garrett smiled at Riley over Josh’s shoulder and returned the hug, patting Josh on the back. His voice trembled when he spoke.
“Keep being you, Josh. The world needs more people like you. And keep Riley close. A friendship like yours is worth everything. I’d hate for youto find out what it feels like to lose it.”
Riley narrowed his eyes in confusion at Garrett’s cryptic words and the pain in his eyes. Had he lost his best friend? His curiosity was piqued, but this wasn’t the time to ask, so he refocused on Josh.
After Josh let go, Riley hugged Garrett goodbye, and he left without another word.
When they were alone again, Riley stepped in front of Josh and reached for his hands, holding them carefully in his. They were a little cold and clammy, still trembling, as Josh stared at them.
