I remember her saying she was working on the Rooftop Killer case, and my alarm bells kinda ring just a little. Sawyer has me speeding up my steps as I hurry down the staircase and head to my sled. My gut instinct has never been wrong, but I don’t wanna prove that theory.
She could very well be breaking into the lab for a good reason, and she seemed pretty intent on making sure I knew she felt bad about the Max situation, even though we both know she was just doing her job.
I get back to the office. Checking my phone, I see a text from Willow.
Wife
Need to talk. Call me when you get this
I was dreading having to face it, but there’s no way around it. I’m still mad, but not as much as I was. I don’t for one second regret punching that asswipe in the face. Seeing how he berated Max like that just wasn’t cool. Like his sister, they’ve both been subjected to this mean bully their entire lives and I don’t partake in standing by watching that shit unfold before me.
Not. Gonna. Happen.
I quickly thumb a text back.
Me
Tonight
I grab the manilla folder on my desk knowing I have to tell Willow about what’s been going on. I can’t keep secrets from her any longer. Not after I told her I’d never hurt her. This is the same as lying. Even if it is for the greater good, it’s gone on long enough. After that conversation with her father, I know now that it was wrong to keep it from her in the first place. I tuck it into my cut because I need to take it home so I can show her. Do I want her to see the letters? No. But since a new one arrived, even more sinister than the last, it’s making me realize more each day that this can’t go on. We were wrong to keep it from her, and now I need to fess up and face the consequences.
I head to Sawyer’s office and he looks up as I enter. “You break every red light across town?”
“My Harley’s made for speed,” I tell him. “Show me the footage.”
He brings up the surveillance on his screen and, sure enough, Hally Baltmore is sure as shit sneaking into the laboratory. I say sneaking because of the way she keeps looking around as if she’ll get sprung.What the fuck is she doing?
“That’s her,” I say. “Question is, what is she up to, and why is she retrieving information on Max.”
“Maybe she’s sweet on him?” Sawyer suggests and I shoot him a look.
“I doubt it. She felt bad for being the one who arrested him, and I believe her. But this is kinda weird behavior.”
“Well, she’s got a squeaky clean record. I hacked into her email, her IP is clean, too. Give her a fuckin’ medal for bein’ citizen of the year.”
I roll my eyes. “Looks like we’re gonna have to broach this carefully. Bargin’ in there to question her will only have her tittle tattlin’.”
“I could do it.”
“I think Willow has to do it.”
Sawyer meets my gaze. “Willow?”
I sigh. “I’m gonna have to fess up. I can’t keep this shit from her any longer. It’s eatin’ me up inside. And since the most recent letter, I have this sour feelin’ in my gut. This isn’t just a game anymore.”
“I’m hearin’ ya,” he says. “Tell me what I can do.”
“Exactly what you’re doin’. I’ll deal with Willow?—”
“Is that right?” Willow stands in the doorway, about to knock on the open door.
Fuck.
That’s all I need.
“Honey,” I say, immediately standing. “We need to talk.”
“Damn straight we do.” She glances at Sawyer and gives him a chin lift when he waves.
