“No, I have no internet access here. That’s why I really need to see you and the others,” I said. “We can look at it together and figure it out. Jeremiah especially. He could probably run the data through some program to map everything out clearly."
“Yeah, he definitely could,” Cherry said breathlessly. She paused, and I could practically hear her mind racing. “This is great, Vee. It could be the smoking gun we need.”
“Exactly,” I replied, injecting hope and excitement into my voice. “I might be getting ahead of myself here, but I have such a good feeling about this paperwork. I really think it could prove what we've suspected all along. That Roman stalked and hurt Cal that night.”
“I bet itwillprove it,” Cherry said with conviction. “Because we all know he did it.”
“Yeah,” I said, catching Roman’s eye. “You know, I've actually seen him around the mansion a few times while I've been here, and he's just so… creepy. Completely dead behind the eyes. Like a shark.”
“Totally,” Cherry replied. “I can't believe Cal never saw it. I guess love really is blind, huh?”
“It must be,” I said softly. “Anyway, the maid can help me sneak out during the guard’s shift change tomorrow night at ten-thirty. So could you meet me at the BHU theater at eleven? I know it’ll be locked, but you have a key to get us in, right?”
“Yeah, I do. Why the theater, though?”
“It’s the one place on campus where I feel the safest, because of you and the others,” I said, really laying it on thick. “So it just seemed right.”
“Oh, Vee.” Cherry's voice went soft, almost tender. “That's so sweet. And yes, of course I'll be there.”
“Perfect. Can you let the others know too?”
“Absolutely. I'll call them right after we hang up.”
“Actually,” I said quickly. “Never mind. I’ll call them myself. I haven't talked to them in a while, so I'd really like to hear their voices.”
“Oh, of course. I totally get it.”
“I'll do it now. And I’ll see you tomorrow night, okay?”
“Yes. I can't wait,” Cherry said. She sounded almost giddy now. “This is it, Vee. We're finally going to get justice for Cal.”
“We are,” I whispered. “I promise.”
I ended the call and set the phone down on the table, my hands shaking.
Julian was watching me with an unreadable expression. “That was perfect,” he said.
“She bought it completely,” Roman added, and there was a grim satisfaction in his voice.
I nodded, sucking in a deep breath. My heart was still racing, adrenaline coursing through me.
“Time for Stage Two now,” Julian said, brows rising. “Let the others know what’s happening.”
I nodded again. Then I picked up the phone.
I called Jeremiah first, then Ginny, then Dylan. Each conversation was brief and carefully worded, ensuring they'd each be exactly where I needed them tomorrow night at the right time.
When I finally hung up after the last call, I turned back to find Julian and Roman watching me with identical expressions of dark approval.
“It's done,” I said, my voice sounding rougher than I expected. “Tomorrow night, we end this.”
Roman rose to his feet, scrubbing a hand over his face. “In that case, I’m going to go home and have a glass or ten of whiskey.”
Julian’s jaw tightened. “Rome… don’t do anything stupid.”
“If you’re worried about me sneaking off to kill Cherry behind your backs tonight, you don’t need to be.” Roman lifted his palms. “I know my initial reaction wasn’t exactly measured, but Violet’s right. If we don’t hear that confession from Cherry, we’ll spend the rest of our lives wondering why the fuck shedecided to throw Calista off that tower. So as much as I’d like to do something to her… I won’t. I promise.”
“Good.” Julian’s chin dipped in a curt nod. “See you tomorrow. And for fuck’s sake, don’t drink too much.”
