Page 78 of What's Left of Me

One Month Later

“Where’d they find them?”I was sitting outside, watching Matt help Phoenix with his physical therapy. He couldn’t do much since he had a cast on his arm and a brace on his ankle, but Matt knew what he was doing.

“Iowa, some truck stop. A driver recognized Jaron and Hank from their Wanted posters or something. They were arrested this morning.” Nick held his beer bottle out to me, and I clinked it with mine.

“About fucking time.”

As soon as the news announced that The Broken-Doll Killer was dead, the Zaffy brothers had run. The FBI proved that Amo Cormac was paying the Zaffys an exorbitant amount of money for the embalming fluid, and their silence, through offshore accounts. It didn’t take a detective to realize that they were terrified of Amo, but it wouldn’t save them. The Broken-DollKiller was dead, and they were alive. They’d get the full wrath of a judge and jury, and I was here for it.

Angel came into view, head hung as he trekked across the yard toward the cliffs. He’d been depressed the last couple of weeks. Two was well and truly gone.

He was on the other side of the country with family and in an intensive program. He’d deny it until he was blue in the face, but Angel had connected with him and they had a bond. We all had people in our lives; Angel was the only one who hadn’t given his heart to anyone, and I wasn’t sure he ever would. Two was the closest he’d ever gotten.

Four had spiraled after Hazel’s kidnapping, and he was working with Aziza every day. Hazel told Four over and over that she was to blame. She’d been told not to leave the house, and she’d done just that.

He was getting there, but he was so hard on himself, we’d all have to make sure to help him get back to his somewhat normal life.

“I’m done!” Phoenix grabbed his crutch and hobbled over to me. When he was close, he dropped it and fell into my lap. “He’s so mean, Noel.”

Matt chuckled. “Everyone says PT stands for pain and torture.”

“And they’d all be right.” Phoenix playfully shoved Matt.

“Where’s Hazel?” I asked him.

“She went to her apartment.”

We’d offered for them to stay with us, but Hazel said she wanted her space. She’d had to have surgery on her cheekbone and was healing well. Lizzy was moving in with her to help her and to get out of her current place.

I wasn’t sure how long that would last because once Four was feeling better, I knew he wanted Lizzy to be with him. Iwondered if she’d stay here, or he’d leave and live with her somewhere. Time would tell.

“Family night.” I winked at Nick and then grinned at Phoenix. “And we decided you get to choose dinner and the movie.”

He beamed. “Really?”

“Yup.”

“I have been waiting for this moment, and I’m ready.”

“Oh, I’m intrigued.” Matt rubbed his hands together.

“What are you intrigued about?” Angel walked over.

“Phoenix picks dinner and the movie tonight. He’s about to tell us.”

Angel nodded. “What are we eating and watching?”

“Jersey Mike’s andCenter Stage.”

All that could be heard was the waves crashing in the distance. Phoenix’s eyes were as big as saucers as he looked at each of us expectantly.

“Uh…” Matt did this head-shake thing. “Yeah, I love Jersey Mike’s, and I never saw that movie. Sounds fun.”

“It’s so good. It’s about this girl who’s a dancer but not a typical kind, and she gets into this?—”

I covered his mouth. “Don’t tell us the whole plot, babe.”

“Right. So do you think the others will be cool with my choices?”

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