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Holy fuck. Did she plan this? How could she know?

“I need to let my dog out.” It’s all that manages to leave my lips.

“Listen Aldente. If you are not in the station in the next thirty minutes, I will take it as a personal confession that you are behind this. Get your ass here.”

I need someone to let Beanie out. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

I could call Bran.

Except I don’t really trust him. And Beanie has never met him.

But there’s another phone number I have.

And in some twisted, insane way, I trust her.

Dialing, Cinnamon answers on the third ring.

“He—llo?” Her greeting wraps around a yawn.

“Shit, hey. I need a favor. I got called to the station. Could you let Beanie out for me please? Maybe keep her for the night? She needs the attention.”

Another wave of guilt rolls through me.

“Of course.” Cinnamon suddenly sounds more awake.

Then against my better judgment, I tell her exactly where to find my key.

“You’re a lifesaver.”

“Anytime, John! Good luck. I’ll make sure Beanie is walked, fed, and loved.”

My heart warms, immediately followed by unease.

I scream at myself that she’s the reason the captain is dead, except the words don’t feel right.

Broken and flawed.

I need to talk to her. Figure out her angle.

“Thanks, Cinnamon. I’ll get her from you tomorrow.”

It’s time. I have to turn her in. I have to end this charade.

No matter how much my heart aches at the thought.

Cinnamon needs to be arrested.

Taken to jail.

And punished for her crimes.

I still need to find out who she is.

The debit card she first used flashes behind my eyes.

I know exactly where to start.

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