Chapter 120
Everything inside me freezes at his words. They echo in my head like a broken record, over and over again, repetition more suffocating than the last.
This is impossible. Maybe they’re wrong. How could someone want me dead? Who would want me dead?
each
I stare at them, unable to form a single word. My mouth opens and closes, but nothing comes out. No sound. No breath. Nothing.
Have you ever been told something so shocking that for a moment it feels like the world isn’t real anymore? Like everything around you turns hazy, as if you’re trapped in a foggy dream?
That’s exactly how I feel right now.
I keep that this can’t be real. This can’t be real. It has to be a mistake. Maybe they confused my case with someone else’s.
“That can’t be true,” I whisper, my eyes darting toward Noah.
He’s the only tether I have to reality right now but one look at him, and all of my fragile hope shatters. His jaw is tense, his shoulders stiff, and beneath those stormy gray eyes lies something that makes my stomach twist… worry. Real, unmistakable worry.
“I’m sorry to be the one to inform you of this,” Officer Mark says carefully, “but every piece of evidence points to that being the case p>
“Someone wanted you dead, Miss Meyers,” Officer Calton adds, his tone grave. “It’s a miracle they didn’t succeed.” 1
I stare at them blankly, my heart pounding so violently I can hear it in my ears. My hands tremble uncontrollably, my breath catching in my throat. I shake my head again and again, as if that alone could undo their words. As if it could make them untrue.
“Do you have any evidence?” Noah’s voice cuts through the fog. His tone is sharp and controlled, but I can hear the edge underneath.
Officer Calton shoots him a look, unimpressed. “Would we be here if we didn’t p>
I’ll give it to him. For going toe to toe with Noah, he has balls. Not many do that and most cower before him.
I almost want to laugh at the absurdity, the terror, the way these men are talking about my life as if it’s a case file. But all that escapes me is a trembling breath.
“Yes,” Mark interjects, giving Calton a warning glance. “Our preliminary investigation shows that your brakes didn’t fail, Miss Meyers. Someone tampered with them p>
My chest constricts, my heartbeat so erratic it feels like it might tear through my ribs. The trembling in my hands intensifies as a cold, primal fear seeps into my veins.
I thought it was just an accident. My fault, even. I blamed myself for being careless. For not taking my car in for service. But now… now it feels like the ground beneath me is giving way.
Mark continues, his tone steady but heavy. “With this new information and considering what you told us about the equipment at your job, we believe someone is targeting you p>
There’s a heavy silence while all I can do is stare at them, my mind stuck between horror and disbelief.
Officer Calton speaks again. “Did you make any stops after leaving the station p>
“Yes,” I manage, my voice trembling. “The grocery store p>
“How long were you in there p>
“About thirty minutes p>
Mark and Calton exchange a subtle but weighted look.
Mark exhales softly. “That’s just enough time for someone to tamper with your brakes p>
Noah straightens immediately, his tone sharp. “But didn’t she stop at the station first? What if that’s where they cut them p>
Calton gives a short nod. “That’s a possibility we’re considering. But based on the evidence, my bet is it happened while you were shopping p>
I sink deeper into the pillows, my body suddenly heavy and drained. My mind can’t seem to wrap around the idea that someone would want me dead. Why?
“Did you notice anything strange when you left the grocery store?” Mark asks, flipping open his notepad. Anyone loitering around your car? Anything out of place p>
I try to think back, to rewind every step, but my memory is hazy. I was distracted, completely lost in my thoughts, so if something had been off, I probably didn’t even notice.