Page 26 of Scarred Sins
I wouldn’t dare touch anything else.
With a sigh, I pick up my phone and dial Dad’s phone number. It’s well past midnight, but the matter is rather serious, and I can’t wait until the morning. Besides, I’ll have my hands full with my butterfly once she wakes up, and she deserves all of my attention.
“Why the fuck are you calling me this late?”
Immediately, I gag, almost throwing up in my mouth a little. Dad is out of breath, trying to regain his composure. I’mthrilledthat my parents love each other, I really am, but I definitely don’t need to know when they’re having sex.
“To fill you in on Adams, unless you think it can wait.’’
I raise my voice a few octaves, enough for Mom to hear on the other side of their bedroom. It’s silent for a moment, then she cusses at Dad, demanding he put me on speakerphone. He grumbles under his breath, cohesively, and listens.
“What did you find out, Arlo?”
The night started off great. I was the main pianist for the evening, with the grand performance being done by me only. The rest of the time, I was free to roam the venue, eat all the food, and drink everything they had to offer as long as it was non-alcoholic. Alcohol was strictly off-limits.
I was unable to catch Adams’ wife, Zoe, alone. There were at least two guards on her at all times, or he was with her himself. Despite the amount of makeup she was wearing, the bruises around her throat were visible under the thin scarf. The rest of the people either didn’t notice or didn’t care enough to speak up.
Fucking vile.
Zoe was trembling the entire night, but whenever the spotlight was on her, she would smile widely, pretending that everything was fine. She’s a terrific actress. If I didn’t know the reality of her situation, I would’ve thought the smiles were all sincere.
I didn’t miss how she flinched whenever he would whisper in her ear, or how she’d clench her hands by her sides when he touched her. The security guards were staring at her, almost as if they were waiting for her to mess up and make a mistake.
She didn’t mess up, which means she’ll likely get to see tomorrow.
“I didn’t get anywhere with his wife,’’ I sigh in defeat. “I’ll keep trying with her. It will take me some time to sneak into her circle undetected. But that’s not why I called.’’
“Go on,’’ Mom urges, and I take a moment to gather my thoughts. The words I’m about to say, the things she’s about to hear, will change the trajectory of this all. Everything we thought we knew is about to change, and the path we’re taking is about to become ten times more difficult.
“Paul Simmons was there.’’
“The senator?”
“Yes,’’ I confirm, swallowing thickly. “And…’’
The day before the banquet, I dressed as a cleaner. I managed to sneak my way inside and plant bugs all over the place, from the venue itself to the kitchen, restrooms, and even bedrooms on the upper floors.
And what I heard is enough to make my blood boil.
“Adams and Simmons are… doing something shady.’’
“They’re politicians. Of course they’re doing something shady, Arlo,’’ Dad snorts. “Did you hear anything useful?”
“Yes,’’ I take a deep breath. “They were talking about where they would be keeping the girls.’’
Silence.
Utter, complete, and deafening silence follows.
“Are you fucking sure?”
I nod, although they can’t see me. I pull the phone off my ear and quickly send Mom the recording I got from the listening devices. I hear it buzz on the other side of the line, and Dad groans.
“Fuck,’’ he curses. He’s aware that whatever the two are planning to do with the said girls, it’s much more sinister than any of us had expected, much more complicated than my aunt’s murder.
“Dad,’’ I say, voice lowering. “I need you tothink.I can’t say it out loud.’’
Another round of silence.
