Page 84 of Shattered Veil

He gave her a pointed stare. “Would you call them anonymously? There’s a man that y’all have a colorful history with who could have been involved in all of this that’s now dead. There are still sedatives in that closet—I only snagged the one bottle—and we all know what that room looked like. I’ve got no idea what the cops know, but if they’re anywhere near this, they’re gonna think that’s mighty skeptical. Considering all this shit, do you feel comfortable fuckin’ breathing in a cop’s direction, anonymous or not?”

She crossed her arms and grumbled back, “No.”

“Cue my point.” Colton focused back on Cassie. “Just names and descriptions of the girls does jack shit for me. I’m guessing the answer is no, but do you know anyone who could know more?”

“Like I said,” Cassie replied, “I normally just keep my head down and work. I’m not really tight with any of the dancers. That’s more Sky—oh.” Realization dawned on her, and she murmured, “Sky.”

“Sky?” Colton inquired.

“Friend from work,” she replied. Colton shot her a pointed look, and she clarified, “Friendly friend from work. Social butterfly. If any of the dancers know anything, it’s her.”

“Good,” he sighed. “Good, good-good.” Reaching into the front of his jeans pocket, he pulled out a cell phone that one could only describe as a burner. It was similar to one I had used in the early 2000s—a flip phone that was designed long before touch screens were a standard. Colton flicked his wrist to open it, assumedly checking the time, and closed it with a satisfying smack! He asked Claire, “When does this place open?”

Claire looked to the table, tapping the screen of her own cell. It lit up her face in a blue-tinged light, and she replied:

“Ten minutes.”

“Yeah, I should get outta here.” He looked to Cassie. “What are the chances I can talk to your friend, like, soon? And not in a bar filled with people?”

Cassie shrugged. “I’ll call her, then call you?”

He snapped his fingers, pointed at her, and smiled as he stated, “That. Claire?” Claire’s tired eyes snapped to his, and he asked, “Be a peach. Text me her number?” She threw him a thumbs up with little enthusiasm as she picked up her phone. “Cool.” His index finger moved to Zoey. “Zoey. Don’t be dumb—”

Liam snapped, “Hey—”

Colton splayed his extended hand out wide. “Look through the damn laptop.” Liam went quiet, and Colton continued, “Then burn it.” Zoey gave him a short nod and an eye roll that said she already intended to do just that. He seemed to consider his thoughts before he stated, “And for the record, if you’re thinking actual fire—I’ll light the goddamn match.”

He blurted the words out with a shocking amount of conviction.

Zoey's brows rose. “Are you into pyrotechnics now?”

A corner of his lip pulled up in the quickest of grins that was then gone in a flash. “For this, yeah. Later.”

He hopped from his stool, and we all watched as he strolled across the bar to the entrance, unlocked the door, and left without a further word. The silence was heavy for only but a second, and Liam spoke again:

“You’re quitting.”

“I came to that conclusion myself, thank you,” Cassie told him.

He nearly spat, “Good.”

“Good?” she incredulously voiced. “Liam, I’m quitting my job, and I don’t exactly have another one lined up. It’s a necessity, but it’s not good.”

Liam took in a long breath. “I know,” he exhaled. “I know, I’m sorry. I’m still all…” He waved a hand in front of his forehead in a circular motion. “I can’t think straight.”

“Okay, um,” Zoey spoke up, “Different subject—Cas, why don’t you stay with us for a while? Considering everything?” She looked up to Liam, and he nodded emphatically.

Cassie squinted. “On the couch?”

Liam responded, “Yeah.”

“I’d rather a bedroom,” she grumbled.

“Well, I don’t have another bedroom!” he quickly retorted. Liam reached up to pinch at the bridge of his nose and said, “Just—just—you can get a blow-up mattress or something if you really need it.”

“Sure,” she returned with a roll of her eyes, “with all the money I have from the job that I’m quitting.”

“I’m sure you have plenty saved up from stripping,” he snapped.

---