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Silence.

Willows Realty Co. was heavy and quiet when Ethan entered the building. The usual sounds of a bustling Monday morning were strikingly absent as Ethan made his way to his area.

Hallways were too calm, darting glances shot from co-workers as he caught their gaze, and hushed conversations stirred as he walked past.

The only time it had felt like this was when some kind of scandal was looming over the company, or bad press was about to be released, which didn't happen too often. The Willows had a way of making problems disappear. Things like bad press, failed deals, and unhappy clients just miraculously…went away. But whatever was going on this time felt different.

“Oh my god, honey, did ya hear?!” Joyce exclaimed as soon as he walked through the door. She was practically vibrating in her chair, but not with the usual gossipy energy he’d come to expect. Her hair was more wild than normal, as if she’d been twirling it all morning. “I just can't believe it!”

Someone's pregnant, someone got fired, or…

Ethan set his bag on his desk and shrugged. “The only thing I heard was silence. It’s like a funeral out there.”

Joyce’s face paled, and she rolled her chair closer, her voice a shaky whisper. “Jake was found dead. Dead, honey.”

What? How?

Before Ethan knew it, she had her arms around him, crushing him with a hug. He froze, too shocked to react, his thoughts racing.

He thought of Friday: Jake, Michael, and Paul as they headed out for a night of boozy shenanigans. Ethan delicately pried Joyce off him, slinking back in his chair. “What?” He shook his head, dazed. “How?”

Joyce pushed her large glasses up onto the bridge of her nose as she sank back down into her chair, wheeling herself closer. “Johnny and I was just sittin’ there, watchin’ the news last night, and then BAM!” Her voice rang out, emphasizing the word. “There was a photo of his face, right there on the screen. Jake McKinney found dead. Heart missing. Washed up on Elliott Bay shore.” She pressed her hand to her chest and closed her eyes. “Ethan, honey, I nearly choked on my damn wine.”

“Hold up. Wait—” Ethan shook his head and put his hand up. “His heart was missing?” he asked, his voice elevated.

What the hell?

Joyce shushed him as her eyes darted around the room, as if the news hadn't spread across the entire office by the looks of things this morning.

“Sorry,” he said, lowering his voice. “Maybe it was a shark or an orca that got to him?”

She shook her head, lips pursed tight. “That’s what I said, but Johnny called one of his buddies at the station—they play pool every Thursday, ya know? Anyways, it doesn't make any sense, but…” She paused, her brows furrowed.

“What?”

“Well, his body wasn't torn up or anything. His heart was literally just…gone.”

Ethan's head tilted, unsure if he understood what she was saying. Her husband must have misheard it. It didn't make any sense.

Joyce leaned back and threw her hands up. “Listen, I always knew that boy was into some dark stuff. It’s awful! It really is, but…” She took a sip of her coffee. “Ya’ can't be hanging with shady people and doing shady things without getting dirty eventually.”

As harsh as it may have sounded, she was right. Jake was not a very secretive person, per se.

I mean, it's not like he hid the drugs or the alcohol, even at work. But still, this was dark.

Ethan jerked up in his seat. “Oh shit, what about Michael and Paul? Are they okay?” Ethan asked.

The door swung open before Joyce could respond, and he got his answer.

Michael and Paul slowly walked in, dark circles under their eyes, shoulders slumped. The performative energy was gone now that they had no ring leader to do it for.

Joyce immediately crossed the room, pulling them into one big awkward hug. “I’m so sorry, boys. I know you all were really close.”

Michael pulled back first, running a hand down his face as he slumped in his chair. “Thanks…it’s been a lot.”

Ethan looked at them, offering an uncomfortably forced smile. “Yeah…I’m really sorry for your loss, you guys. I don't really know what happened, but…I’m sorry.”

A wave of nausea rolled through Ethan, and his chest tightened. The same forced smiles and condolences reminded him of his Dad's funeral, and his stomach twisted at the thought. It wasn't like he was torn up about Jake, but all of it dredged up memories he’d rather forget.