My wild stare bounces around the room, at a loss of what to do for several paralyzing moments. I’m not thinking straight—Ican’tthink straight—but I need to… Fuck,I need to fucking think.
As if my brain needed a direct order to function properly, a light bulb goes off in my head, and I mutter a string of curses at myself for being an idiot.
Check the goddamn CDCR site, dumbass.
That’ll confirm whether Lionel’s out of custody.
Barry said they’re not posting their weekly updates, but once a prisoner is released, the system automatically updates within twenty-four hours. So, if someone looks him up on the site, it will still show if he’s in custody or not.
I scramble for my phone tucked in my coat pocket. My hands tremble violently from the overflow of adrenaline in my system, making my movements erratic and uncoordinated, and it slips from my fingers and hits the floor.
“Fuck!” I shout, growing frustrated with myself. “Fucking shit, motherfucker, fuckingfuck.” I mutter the insults as I angrily snatch up the stupid fucking phone, my chest aching from how hard my heart beats.
It takes a second for the biometrics to recognize my thumbprint, only amping up my impatience. I smash my thumb on the internet app, but the tremors cause me to hit the wrong one, opening my contact list instead.
“Oh, my fucking GOD,” I bark, vowing to punch myself in the face later.
I get the browser open and quickly type in the web address to the CDCR, frustrated tears building in my eyes from repeatedly tapping the wrong letters. Finally, I get the site open and search Lionel’s name, and the moment the page loads, my eyes drop to Lionel’s location.
Scarlett Bay Correctional Facility
He's still in custody, like he should be.
So, then who?—?
Realization dawns, and every ounce of blood drains from my face.
The copycat.
Of fuckingcourse, it’s the copycat. Lionel wouldn’t be stupid enough to plant a murder victim in his daughter’s dorm after being released from prison. That would implicate him in a heartbeat.
However, Barry said it’s possible the copycat and Lionel are working together, which means if they’re here, leaving a fucking chopped-up body in my dorm, then this is a very clear message from Lionel.
He knows I know he’s getting out, and I didn’t keep my promise, so he’s showing me my fate while keeping his own hands clean.
My palm slaps over my mouth, my vision blurring as tears spill overthe ridge of my bottom lashes. It feels like my world is crashing down around me at my feet, and all I can do is just watch it happen, helpless to stop it from shattering into dust.
Obviously, I need to call the police and report it, but I’m paralyzed from the onslaught of emotions. They’re flooding my system with a force powerful enough to scatter my bones, rendering them completely useless.
The first sob breaks free right when an abrupt, violent bang rattles the door against my back. My heart lurches, and a startled scream tears from my throat. I flinch just as violently, sending my phone tumbling from my hand yet again.
Hand over my heaving chest, I stare at the door with rounded eyes as whoever they are pounds on the door a second time, causing me to flinch yet again.
“Police! Open up, or we’re coming in!” Another vicious knock accompanies the angry, deep voice, and it finally snaps me out of my shock.
“Oh, fuck,” I whisper, my hands flying to cover my mouth as tears rush to my eyes. I glance between the door and the body, my panic intensifying. My heart hammers against my rib cage so hard, it physically aches, vomit teasing the back of my tongue.
Who the fuck even called them?
When the door rattles a fourth time, I blurt out, “Okay, okay! I’m coming!”
Hopefully, they let me explain first before deciding I’m guilty.
I attempt to inhale before opening the door, but I can’t get a breath in. The door busts open, knocking into my shoulder and sending me flying back onto my ass. Lightning dashes across my vision, and a breathtaking pain shoots up my tailbone and down my arm as two police officers storm the room. They stop short when they notice me on the floor, my face twisted in agony while I cradle my throbbing shoulder.
I can't get a good look at them through my blurred vision and hysteria, only that they briefly turn their heads to one another then immediately direct their attention to the chopped-up woman behind me.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” one of them bellows.
