Page 50 of Symphony for Lies

I replayed the recording.

Zane crouched beside me, arms folded over the desk, as he focused on the chimes filling the silent room again.

“You’re right,” I whispered as I began carefully arranging the notes into a sentence.“Underneath the bride of flowers lies…”

Even though I was finally piecing something together, something about it felt wrong. A part was missing.

Goosebumps erupted along my arms. Excitement and fear tangled together in my chest.

“Who’s giving you this stuff?” Zane’s words interrupted my thoughts.There was no playfulness in his tone, just a quiet, dark curiosity that brought on a new wave of unease.

“No one,” I lied too quickly. “It’s just… just a riddle.”

He didn’t buy it. Not even for a second.Zane hopped on the desk beside me, his knee brushing against my arm.“Careful, tutor. Riddles can be dangerous. Especially when they come from the wrong people.”

I swallowed hard, and my fingers curled around my phone.Zane was right to be suspicious; this wasn’t just a riddle.

His sharp eyes flicked to my screen, and before I could turn it off, his lips turned into a knowing smirk.“Officer Wilson?” he mused.

Shit.

“Err… he’s a good friend,” I stated, placing the phone face down on the desk.

Zane raised a brow. “A good friend?”

“Yes.”

“Your good friend sends you riddles… why?”

I bit my lip, my mind scrambling for an excuse. A plausible lie.

“Just for fun.”

Zane gave me a look.

My pulse hammered against my ribs.

“Is it important?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Really important.”

He studied me for a moment before tilting his head.“I can help.”

“Y-you can help me?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “I know a bit about secret messages in music. I actually have a book on it at home.”

I practically beamed, relief flooding my chest.“Oh my God! That would be amazing!”

A slight smirk tugged at his lips. “Okay. Come with me.”

Wait.

The rush of excitement died immediately.“Where?” I asked, suspicion creeping in.

“My place.”

I shook my head. “Nope. No way. Just give it to Simon. He can bring it to me next time.”

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