Page 106 of Chaotic Curse
No.
And now Haynes?
No.
“Thanks, Pete.”Falcon shakes the coroner’s hand.“Much obliged.”
“Yeah, thanks a ton,” I say.
“Sorry I don’t have better news for you boys,” he says.“I assume you want this body disposed of?Without a trace?”
“Please,” I say.
“Very well.Good luck.”
We nod and leave the office.
Once in the truck, I turn to my brother.“Whoever is behind this isn’t going to stop.We’ve still got a trail to follow.”
Falcon glares at me.“Hawk, you’ve broken into two houses in as many days.You’ve got a guy tied up in our barn.And now you’re talking about chasing another lead?”
I grit my teeth.“I’m not talking about it.I’m doing it.”
He stares at me.“What the hell happened to you?”
“You mean besides a decade of cleaning up Eagle’s shit?Besides keeping Dad’s dirt under wraps?Besides making sure no one in this family ever has to face what we really are?”
“Eagle’s shit?”Falcon shakes his head.“That was years ago, and I did the time, not you.And what are you talking about Dad’s dirt?Facing who we are?What the fuck?”
I don’t blame my brother.He doesn’t know about Eagle’s last eight years.He doesn’t know our father is a murderer.
So I sigh and bring it down a notch.“I’ve been the fixer,” I say.“Always.You know what that gets you?A front-row seat to everyone else’s disasters.I’m done.”
His jaw works.“And your plan now?”
“Stop cleaning.Start burning.”
I pull out my phone once we’re on the road.Daniela’s text is still there.Unanswered.
I hover over the call button.
I don’t press it.
Not yet.
She’s in class.She’s safe.
For now.
34
DANIELA
The hall smellslike sugar and bleach.
I keep my head down.Bag on my shoulder.Keys in my fist like claws.
Jordan’s by the exit, talking to Gina.Laughing like he didn’t accuse the man I brought yesterday of stalking him.He turns at the sound of my steps.
