Page 104 of Savage Keepsakes

I take my phone from her and lean back against the swing. Exhaling the shaky breath, I need to call Artie and check where the investigation is at.

Scrolling through social media as I ground myself, I see posts about Billy’s shop, how human remains were found, and that he might have been a serial killer.

Dialling Artie’s number, I bite my lip, the pain creating an outlet from my drowning heart.

“Lucy, good to hear from you. How’re you doing?”

“I’m alright, Artie, how are you?”

“It’s been busy and rough, but you know how it is. We’ve missed you at the station. Have you heard from the detective?”

JoJo kisses the top of my head and walks around the side of the house.

“No, I haven’t been on my phone much.”

They think I’ve had the stomach flu, and if it means I have to lie about shitting my pants rather than tell them about my connection to Billy, that’s what I’ll do.

“Gotcha. Well, there may be news. Leah is out of the drug-induced coma, but her story has a lot of holes in it. They’ve been trying to get more out of her, but again, she’s recovering.”

JoJo appears with another glass of water. I offer her a small smile before taking it.

“What’s her story?” I ask.

“Leah doesn’t remember everything. She said she was held in a dark place and escaped. Others died while she was there. When she woke up and tried the door, it opened, and she started a fire to stopthe bleeding where her foot had been carved off. That’s how she ended up with the flyer.”

“That’s a hell of a story,” I say.

“Yeah. There’re inconsistencies and they’re looking into it, but she’ll have a long road to recovery. Lucy, I know you’ve had your differences with her, but I believe she could do with a friend. There have been many visitors, but I think it’d mean a lot to her if you showed up.”

I grit my teeth together. The last fucking person I want to see is Leah.

“Right, well, maybe I’ll get up there tonight or tomorrow. I’ve been feeling better and will return to work as soon as I can.”

My tone changes into the perfect customer-service voice, and as JoJo comes out with two plates of sandwiches, she raises her eyebrows.

“That’s my girl. I know things can be hard, but you always come through for those who’re most important, and our team is priceless.”

“Thanks, Artie. I’ll see you next shift.” I hang up and know I only have a day before my scheduled time to work.

As I grab the plate JoJo hands me, she side-eyes me, waiting to hear what the news is.

“Leah claims she was abducted and held somewhere dark, but that she escaped and grabbed a flyer. Artie says she needs me to be her friend right now.”

I take a bite of the toasted tomato sandwich. The perfect amount of mayo to tomatoes is my favourite, creamy and tart flavours bouncing across my tongue.

“Bullshit. You don’t have to pretend to be that cunt’s friend. She’s done absolutely nothing but force your life into a living hell.”

“I know, but morale or some shit. They want me to be a team player.” I continue chewing and glance at JoJo.

“Doyou,though? I mean, sure, show up and make it look nice if you must, but then get the fuck out of there. You should move, change jurisdictions.”

I peel the crust away from the other part of the sandwich and roll ideas around in my head.

She’s right. I don’t feel bad and I never will. Leah has tried to take everything from me ever since I met her. After completing this, I can go back to my normal life, or at least the existence without Billy.

After a shower and washing my hair, I almost feel human.

Emotions run through each step of the way, tears falling more often than I’d like, but since the scent of Billy is gone from my bed and I haven’t heard from him at all, numbness has begun to coat my insides.

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