Page 30 of What's Left of Me

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Phoenix

I didn’t seeNoel until later in the day. He was heading to Saintly Sweets—said something about it being his turn. Hazel and Four went with him.

Aziza sent over some information for me to read about hypnosis and uncovering things that were hiding in my mind. She wasn’t surprised when I explained that I wanted Noel there, but she did tell me I shouldn’t have a room full of people, that a calm, quiet environment was best for a fulfilling outcome.

It was around lunchtime by the time Gabe entered the living room and asked if he could turn on the news. I didn’t care—I was huddled under a blanket in the corner with a book, and reruns ofThe Officewere playing.

Shep was fixing sandwiches, and the aroma coming from the kitchen told me he was probably roasting a chicken for them. My stomach was going to miss all this yummy goodness after I left.

I knew Gabe was keeping an eye out for news about Adonis, but I was becoming really good at being able to shut that off every time they’d begin talking or a news reporter would touchon it. It seemed everyone was counting down the days until the next victim was displayed or he was caught.

Hank Zaffy was nowhere on the news, and I knew it likely had to do with the authorities trying not to startle him, but if what Rose said was true, the warrants would do that on their own.

We were just sitting to eat when Noel, Hazel, and Four returned.

“Hey.” JJ smiled. “Food’s on the counter.”

They all went about fixing their dishes, and warmth spread through my chest when Noel sat beside me.

“How was your day?” he whispered to me once everyone else was occupied with their own conversations.

“Quiet.”

“Perfect, then.”

His glasses were on the top of his head, his hair pulled into a bun so every inch of his face was exposed. He was stunning, and the urge to lean in and kiss his plump lips almost made me choke on my sandwich.

“You okay, Nix?” Hazel patted my back.

“Yeah…” I coughed. “Wrong pipe.”

“I got an interesting call today,” Angel interrupted, taking the attention off me, thankfully.

“Oh?” Mason asked.

“Agent Rose asked me why one of my brothers was wondering why the FBI didn’t interview Hank Zaffy’s father and brother.” Angel quirked a brow at Noel.

“Why’d he call you? I’m the one who messaged him.”

Angel released a gruff laugh. “He doesn’t like you…his words.”

“Rude.” Noel pouted, and I wanted to poke his bottom lip.Oh, my God.What is wrong with me?

“It’s a good question.” Four defended Noel. “He gave us Hank’s name. A simple Google search would show people in Hank’s life. What did he say?”

“He didn’t say much. I asked him why he didn’t as well. Noel hadn’t made me privy as to why he asked, but I knew he had his reasons.”

“I did some digging into Hank’s life. He runs the funeral home with his father and brother, so it stood to wonder why they weren’t voices Phoenix was asked to listen to.”

Angel nodded. “Well, he told me that Hank was the one who does all the orders. The father, Randall, doesn’t work much anymore due to rheumatoid arthritis, and his brother, Jaron, only works the books. So Hank is the one who does the physical work.”

“Um there’s a huge flaw in that—many, actually.” JJ wiped his mouth. “If Jaron does the books, he would be the one ordering. And just because Hank does the physical labor doesn’t mean he’s the sicko behind this. Any one of those two could do it, RA be damned. Or they all are.”

Angel grunted. “Which is what I said to him.”

Nick patted Angel’s shoulder. “See, I told these guys you were always smarter than you looked.”

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