<b>Chapter </b><b>187 </b>
Richard hesitated. “I don’t know,” he said, but I wasn’t sure if I really believed that. “All Alexander told me was to protect you and your friends today and help you in any way that I can. I’m not going to persuade you to do anything. My only goal is to keep you and your friends safe.”
I processed his words, and when they truly hit me, I stood there for a moment as my heart warmed. The backs of my eyes pricked with emotion. I couldn’t believe Alexander was extending this kind of ol branch to me. The fact that he wasn’t trying to control me but just wanted to keep me safe made a lump develop in my throat. But how could he be cruel one minute and then turn around and do something sweet like this? Why did he have to be so hot and cold?
“Wow, that was really nice of Alexander,” Ava said and looked at me pointedly.
I ignored her, “Wee to the team, Richard. You’re on a need–to- know–basis, just like Aiden.” <i>/ </i>
“Can I know more than him?” Aiden asked as we began to walk to the parking garage.
I just rolled my eyes in answer.
***
Ava gave her brother directions as he navigated through the quiet countryside town of Ld. As we drove, Ava told us that we were meeting with a woman named Kelly Scott, but didn’t reveal any more since Richard and Aiden were in the car.
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<b>Chapter </b>187
It didn’t take us very long until we pulled up to an apartmentplex that had seen better days. The grass was overgrown, the sidewalk in front was cracked, and most of the white door’s paint was peeling off.
Ava led the three of us to apartment 1603 on the 16th floor. She knocked, and we waited for several minutes for someone to open the door. Just when I considered turning around to leave, the door swung open. A girl around Chloe’s age stood uncertainly in the doorframe. The first thing I noticed about her was her bright blue eyes. The second thing was her deeply scarred face.
As soon as I saw her face, my stomach jolted with realization. A few days ago—when Ava and I were researching Chloe’s past—we discovered that Chloe had been kicked out of school for assault girl by viciously scratching her face. Kelly Scott was probably th Although my heart broke for Kelly for having to go through that, this did help our case. Now we knew that Kelly had a reason to want to get revenge on Chloe.
“Um, hi, can I help you?” Kelly asked as she took the four of us in.
“Did…did Chloe Windsor do that to you?” Ava asked bluntly, bypassing all formalities.
I shot her a look, but to myplete shock Kelly’s lower lip trembled, and she nodded.
“Hi, I’m Ava. Russell Lewis’s cousin,” Ava said since this was the cover we had agreed on. I didn’t like that we were lying, but it was for a greater good. “I was wondering if you could tell me more about his disappearance-”
Ava was cut off by Kelly, who had burst into tears and folded over, her shoulders shaking with sobs. “No! Don’t ask me about him. I don’t know anything! Why can’t people just leave me alone? I just want to live a quiet life.”
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11:43
As tears streamed down her face and her checks turned red, Ava opened her mouth to continue questioning her, but I shook my head. This wasn’t the time for her bad cop approach. What Kelly Scott needed was a good cop.
Ava seemed to catch on, and she put her arm around Kelly and gently rubbed her shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. I promise that we aren’t here to cause any trouble. All we want to do is talk, okay? Do you see those two strong men?” She pointed to Aiden and Richard. “They are here for all of our protection. Even yours. No one will be able to get through them. Can we please juste inside for a little bit just to talk about Russell.”
Kelly looked between Richard and Aiden. The petite womar
d to
beforted by their muscr builds. It took her a few mon slow down her breathing and wipe the tears from her cheeks. But then she gave a slight nod.
After we quickly introduced ourselves, the four of us followed her into her apartment. When I stepped through the doorway, my heart lifted with hope.
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