Chapter 172
So, Max moving Tracey out of the picture was his way of protecting her, huh? He thought she’d be safer out of the country because I might turn against her if she stayed. ‘Man, Max does know how to play his cards right.’ I thought.
Ronald’s voice snapped me back to reality. “This case is a beast, and the puppet master behind it isn’t about to tip their hand. But Ms. Floyd, well, is not one to let things slide. You need to figure out how to handle this.” As his voice faded, I heard the door creak open, scaring me. I darted into the next room to hide.
After emerging from the shadows, Ronald scanned the living room but couldn’t find Claire, so he asked, “Where’s Ms. Claire?” Buried in work, the junior detectives hadn’t noticed my presence. “She might’ve headed home p>
With a grunt, Ronald disappeared into the file room, allowing me to slip out unnoticed, making a beeline out of the police station.
As I stepped outside, I found Max’s nondescript car parked right out front. He hopped out as soon as he saw me. “Find anything p>
I stared at him, wondering how he could lie so effortlessly. “It’s none of your business p>
“Okay then. I’ll have Richard come get you.” He didn’t even ask why I was so obsessed with the charred body cases.
I cut to the chase. “Max, did you ever think about why I’m so obsessed about these cases? And are you out to protect Tracey p>
A sly smile played on his lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but whatever you want to do, I’m here for you p>
For some reason, his words felt hollow.
I said, “Max, let’s pretend we never knew each other p>
The truth was right there, within my grasp, yet I felt powerless to bring the culprit to justice.
“Seriously? Is that what you want?” Max stood there, hands behind his back as if holding back something.
“Yes!” I turned away, leaving him with a view of my defiant exit. He kept too many secrets, and I knew I couldn’t outmaneuver him.
He didn’t follow. How could I have been so naive to think Max was getting close because he felt a thing for me? I almost fell back into that emotional trap.
I was so lost in thought that I ended up wandering the streets until Richard’s call brought me back to reality. “Claire, where are you? I’m coming to pick you up.” Standing still, I coldly asked, “Richard, whose side are you on? Mine or Max’s p>
That question caught him off guard, and it took him a moment before he swore, “I’m on your side. I swear p>
I pressed, “And if the person you love, Tracie, killed me, would you seek revenge for me p>
Silence lingered on the other end. “Claire, why would you suspect Tracie p>
“Richard, would you believe me if I said I’ve died once and come back to life to seek justice? Last time I died, I was a charred body, filled with a desire for vengeance.” I had never shared this secret with anyone but Richard, believing he was the only one I could trust.
“Claire, are you okay? What are you talking about? People don’t relive And if Tracie is the killer, we need evidence. As long as we have that, I’m with you,” Richard must’ve thought I lost my mind.
“Then think of me as crazy,” I said, looking up at the stormy sky, wondering when my world would brighten. All I wanted was for the
killer to face justice, and I didn’t want to be a victim anymore.
“Where are you now? I’m coming to get you. Don’t do anything rash,” Richard pleaded with panic.