Page 123 of Tell Me All Your Lies

“We’re so close. As soon as we get the meetup information, this will all be over. The Marlin will be there, and we’ll finally catch whoever it is.”

“At this rate, the Marlin is probably a woman.”

“I don’t even pretend to know who it could be. Like you said, nothing is what it seems here.”

“Okay. I’ll trust you. Please just be careful.”

“I will be. I’m good at my job.”

“I never said you weren’t. I’m allowed to be worried about you.”

“I love you.”

“I love you.” He sighs and then gets a startled look, peering around me through the open window.

“They’re here.You better go out the back.”

I turn around and see Brad and Fred walking up our driveway together. They look like they’re having an intense conversation that no doubt has something to do with next week.

“I’ll be back before you know it, and I’ll keep an eye out for Fred.”

Grant sighs as he walks toward the front door, then pauses next to me.

“Go.”

“I love you,” I repeat.

“And I love you.”

I take off in a sprint through the living room and kitchen to the back patio door. We have a walkway around the side of the house that will lead me in the right direction to Fred’s house.

I pass through a set of tall hedges and pause next to the front porch. I hear Grant welcoming them into the home. Moments go by, and the door is shut.

Looking around the neighborhood, I try to quickly dart across the way to Fred’s. There’s no one out walking right now, which is strange but lucky.

Maybe I am a lucky charm for myself too.

I get to the back of Fred’s house and pull out my lockpick in case I need it. Testing a door handle, I wiggle it, and the door opens. It’s unlocked.

I scan my surroundings and slip inside, shutting the door quietly behind me.

This house has a similar layout to ours, so I know right away which direction I want to go.

The office is on the first floor, off the living room. It’s almost an open concept with large glass doors. Spotting it, I feel a sense of victory that I was right.

In Fred’s office, there’s a huge stack of papers strewn across his desk. Who even prints this much these days?

I get settled in his seat and start going through the documents.

Nothing related to the meetup at the warehouse.

I chew the inside of my mouth as I debate where to go next.

His bedroom or a guest bedroom, perhaps. This house is far too big for a single man to live in. I’m surprised that he hasn’t moved a girlfriend in just to not feel so lonely.

I take the stairs as fast as I can, running on the adrenaline that’s coursing through every inch of me.

I decide to head into one of the spare rooms first.

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