Steve dug deeper into the box, shuffling through papers, photos, and old reports. I sat on the couch, legs pulled to my chest, waiting for him to explain what all of this meant.
Finally, he set the box down in front of me.
He took a long breath.
"Are you ready for all this truth?"
I nodded slowly, even though I didn't feel ready at all.
Steve began. "Everything in this box… all of it… are things Sue collected about John. Evidence she believed he was connected to Keith's death. Your mom was working with me to find the real killer."
My stomach twisted.
"So my mom—she did all this to help you find out who killed my dad?"
"Yes," Steve said gently. "She wasn't ignoring you. She was playing a part. So John wouldn't suspect her."
I stood up fast, tears blurring my eyes.
"Then why didn't she stay home with me?! Why did she let Arron and John fight? Why did she let John hit me? Why—WHY—did she do that?!"
Steve stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me as I broke down.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "She had to act like she didn't know. She was trying to protect you. It cost her everything."
---
Meanwhile…
Ashley and Roy sped back onto the highway with John's blood on their hands and a bag full of money. Ashley turned to him.
"It's time," she said. "Let's go see them now."
Roy laughed. "Let's go meet our new friends."
They drove for hours toward the abandoned building where their "party" waited.
---
Inside the dark room, Arron and Courtney were still struggling with their ropes.
Jose coughed weakly. "There's no way out except that door. And we can't reach it."
Jennifer wiped her tears. "Jose… how long have you been here?"
"Long enough," he whispered. "Long enough to watch them kill Eric… and Sue."
Arron's head snapped up.
"My mom? My mom was here? They killed her? What the fuck is happening?!"
Courtney swallowed hard.
"If we're all here… then who has Katie and Mark?"
Jennifer sniffed. "Maybe they're with Steve."
Courtney struggled with her ropes. "There's no way I can get my hands free."
Arron growled in frustration. "Someone has to do something! We have two kids out there with no adult, and Jose looks like they've been beating him every day!"
The metal door screeched open.
Ashley and Roy stepped inside.
Roy spread his arms wide. "Well, well, look at this—everyone made it to the party!"
Ashley giggled. "Let's get this party started."
---
Back at Courtney's house…
Steve called Mark's grandparents. Mark would stay with them until Courtney was found.
Then Steve turned to me.
"You can stay here tonight. If you need anything, call me. I'll be nearby."
He left, and the house felt huge and silent.
I sat on the couch, staring at the box. I still couldn't believe my mom had been working with the police all this time—risking her life to bring out the truth about my dad.
Then something clicked in my brain.
I grabbed the phone Steve left for me and called him.
He answered instantly. "Hello?"
I almost screamed, "TRACKERS! My mom put tracking chips in me and Arron when we were little! Arron told me about it once!"
Steve's voice sharpened. "Where's the information?"
"At my house. In Arron's room. I'll get it!"
"Go. I'll meet you there," Steve said.
I hung up and ran downstairs, shoved my shoes on, and sprinted out the door.
The front door of my house was unlocked—like always. I slipped into Arron's room and started searching everywhere, trying to remember where he hid the paper.
Footsteps creaked behind me.
I froze.
I ducked into Arron's closet, squeezing myself between boxes. The footsteps got closer… closer…
"Kaitlyn?" a voice whispered.
Steve.
I stepped out of the closet just as my eyes landed on the notebook on Arron's desk.
I snatched it up.
Inside, folded neatly, was the paper with all the tracking chip information.
Exactly what we needed.