So I do.
I tell him about Dave, about the men with guns, about barely escaping. I don’t mention Green Eyes—partly because I don’t know how to explain him, mostly because something deep in my gut says to keep that part to myself.
Officer Rodriguez listens without interrupting, taking notes. When I finish, he nods gravely.
“Ma’am, this sounds like you witnessed the incident at the laundromat this morning. We’re going to need to get you somewhere safe while we sort this out.”
Relief floods through me. “Yes. Please.”
“I’m going to drive you to a secure location where detectives can take your full statement. You’ll be protected while we investigate.”
He starts the car, and for the first time since I woke up inhispenthouse, I feel like maybe everything will be okay.
We drive for about ten minutes before I start to get suspicious.
We’re not heading toward downtown, where the main police station is. We’re driving away from the city, toward the desert.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Safe house,” Rodriguez says without looking back. “Protocol for witness protection.”
Something cold settles in my stomach. “Can I see some ID? Your badge?”
“Already showed you my badge, ma’am.”
“Can I see it again?”
This time, he does look back, and the expression on his face makes my blood freeze.
Gone is the kind, professional demeanor. In its place is something cold. Calculating.
Familiar.
Like the men in the laundromat.
“I’m afraid that’s not necessary,” he says.
I look at the door handle. Child locks. Of course.
“You’re not a cop.”
He laughs. “Oh, I’m a cop. Just notyourcop.”
The car slows, then turns onto a dirt road that leads absolutely nowhere.
My voice is unsteady. “What do you want?”
“Same thing everyone wants, sweetheart. To tie up loose ends.”
He parks the car in the middle of nowhere. Desert in every direction, heat shimmering off the sand like a mirage.
This is where I die.
This is actually where I die.
“Please,” I whisper, hating how small my voice sounds. “I didn’t see anything. I don’t know anything.”
“Course you don’t.” He gets out, walks around to my door. “Nothing personal. Just business, sweetheart.”
