Laney nodded. “Yes, because the first note told me to drop the investigation, and at the time, we were looking into Lindsay’s deathandthe Network-Medusathing.”
“And then we ended up thinking they were linked,” I said. “But… what if they’renot?”
Adam’s brows wrinkled. “You think someone else might’ve hurt Lindsay?” he asked. “Not Dad or anyone else in theNetwork?”
“It makes sense,” I said, pulse quickening as a few puzzle pieces fell into place in my mind. “I heard that some of the Network men have already started trying to make deals with the prosecutors to get shorter prison sentences. They’ve admitted to the sex trafficking stuff as part of the process, but they’ve all denied having anything to do with Lindsay’s death last year, or Vera Everett’s death in the mid-nineties.”
“Plus there’s no way they killed Vera anyway, as we all know now,” Trinasaid.
We all turned to look at her. “Huh?”
She lifted a brow. “You guys didn’tsee?”
“Seewhat?”
“It was on the news last night,” she said. “Some hiker randomly found some bones in the national park last week. He thought they were just animal bones at first, but then he remembered hearing about the whole possible murder thing on the news recently, so he bagged them up and took themin.”
I tipped my head slightly to the side. “And?”
“It turned out they belonged to Vera Everett and her brother, and some marks on the bones showed that they were attacked by a black bear,” Trina said. “Those bears usually don’t attack humans, but if they’re really hungry, it can happen. So the Network definitely didn’t murder Vera. It was just a tragic hikingincident.”
“Well, if it’s been confirmed that they didn’t kill Vera, then there’s a chance they’re telling the truth about Lindsay,” Laney said. “So they might not have killed her afterall.”
“That must be it,” Trina said, nodding fervently. “Whoever’s coming after you now must think you know the real killer’s identity, and it must bethem.”
“But I don’t know anything!” Laney replied, throwing her palms up in exasperation. “Also, all four of us were looking into Lindsay’s death. So why am I the only one being targeted by thisperson?”
“Maybe thereissomething you know. But you don’t actually know that you know it yet,” I said. “But as soon as you make a few little connections, you’re going to figure itout.”
Adam nodded. “Yeah. That would mean you—and only you—have the key to solving Lindsay’s murder, and someone out there is fucking terrified of that happening,” he said. “They tried to scare you into dropping the investigation, and now they’re worried you won’t, so they’re trying to shut your mouthpermanently.”
Laney sighed and rubbed her eyes. “This is crazy. I swear, I don’t know anything,” she muttered. “I honestly thought the Network killed Lindsay, so I haven’t even thought about any other suspects inweeks.”
“There must besomethingin that head of yours,” Trina said, tapping the side of her own head. “Something that this person is willing to killover.”
“Well, what the hell am I supposed to do about it? I have no idea what itis.”
Trina let out a heavy sigh. “Honestly, I think it’s time we revisit that conversation we had a few weeks ago. The one where I suggested that you leave town,” she said softly. “I know Hunter and Adam think they can keep you safe at their house, but… I don’t know. I really don’t think it’s safe for you here at all. If I were you, I’d be making a beeline for somewhere like New York so I could disappear for a while. I might even change my name just incase.”
I narrowed my eyes. I knew Trina was probably just concerned about Laney’s wellbeing, but it almost sounded as if shewantedher to leave RoyalFalls.
“If she actually does have some sort of key to the identity of Lindsay’s killer, then we need to do whatever we can to figure out what the fuck it is,” I said. “We can’t do that if sheleaves.”
Laney nodded. “He’s right,” she said, looking at Trina. “I have tostay.”
Trina flushed. “I didn’t think of it like that,” she replied. “Sorry, I’m just really worried aboutyou.”
I gave her a tight smile. “I know you’re worried. But I promise—now that we know someone is still after Laney, we’ll do everything we can to keep hersafe.”
“Good,” she said stiffly, folding her hands on herlap.
Laney let out a deep sigh. “I just wish I knew what the hell to do next. I genuinely haveno ideawhat information I could possibly have on this person. All I know is that they’re obviously a dangerouspsycho.”
I pulled her close to me again, squeezing her tightly. “Don’t worry. We’ll find out who it is,” I saidsoftly.
“How?” she said in a bleak, defeatedtone.
I drew back and looked at her. “I don’t know yet. But we just took down a massive sex trafficking ring,” I said. “If we can do that, I think we can do thistoo.”