After Jennifer spilled her guts to Arron and Courtney, the three of them began whispering desperately, trying to come up with a plan to get everyone out alive. None of them knew how close the danger already was—or what was coming next.
---
Steve and I walked inside Courtney's house. I set the heavy box on the kitchen table.
Steve asked, "Kaitlyn, where's Courtney?"
"She's missing," I said quietly. "Mark went to his grandparents'. I'm here by myself… and this box is the only thing my mom did right. It holds the truth."
Steve asked if he could look through it with me. I nodded.
He opened the lid.
Right on top was a sealed envelope with my mother's handwriting.
If you're reading this, I'm dead. Call Steve immediately.
I stared at him, confused. "Why you?"
Steve took a slow breath. "Your mom was helping me investigate the person who killed your dad."
My heart skipped.
"What if the same person has Arron and Courtney?"
Steve didn't answer.
He didn't have to.
I pushed the box toward him. "Go through it. Help me understand."
---
Meanwhile…
Ashley and Ron sped down the highway toward an abandoned alley where John was waiting. They planned to "pay him" for everything he had done for them.
John leaned against a dumpster, smirking as Ron stepped out of the car.
"Before we pay you," Ron said, "I need to know one thing."
John crossed his arms. "Shoot."
"Why did you frame Ashley and me for Keith Jones' murder?" Ron asked, voice low and trembling.
John grinned. "I didn't frame you. You did kill Keith. And you know why—because I was sleeping with his wife. You two were jealous. That's why he ended up dead."
Ron snapped.
He pulled out a gun.
"You framed us because you wanted Sue. And that's why you're going to die."
One gunshot echoed down the alley.
John collapsed instantly—dead with one shot to the head.
Ron knelt and forced John's fingerprints onto the gun, placing it beside the body. He tucked a handwritten note next to the corpse.
Ashley peered over his shoulder, eyes wide but gleaming.
"Is it done?" she whispered.
Ron nodded. "They'll think he killed himself. Let's go. We still have bigger things to handle."
Ashley grinned. "Good. Now all that's left is the family."
They climbed back into the car and sped off.
---
Back at my house…
Steve lifted the next paper from the box—a faded police report. His face shifted from curiosity to dread.
"Kaitlyn," he said slowly, "your father didn't die in a car accident."
My heart froze.
"He was trying to expose a trafficking ring Keith Jones was involved in. He found a star carved into ledgers and crates… the same star carved on Sue, Eric, and Keith's bodies. He was going to testify. And he was killed for it."
My hands shook. "So my dad… he died because he found the truth?"
Steve nodded. "Sue suspected John was involved but didn't have proof. That's why she wrote the letter… and why she followed him before she disappeared."
My voice cracked. "So Ashley and Ron—"
"—were part of the ring," Steve finished. "But John wasn't just part of it. He managed it. And now that John is dead, Ashley and Ron are tying up every loose end."
I sank into the chair.
"Courtney, Arron, Jose… Jennifer… they're all loose ends."
Steve grabbed his jacket. "And if we don't move fast, we're next."
Before we could leave, my phone buzzed violently on the table.
Unknown Number:
We have your family.
You want them alive?
Come alone.
My blood ran cold.
"Steve," I whispered. "It's them. They want me."
Steve clenched his fists. "They're trying to bait us. They want control. But we're not playing their game."
That's when the house phone rang—the old landline no one used.
We exchanged a terrified look.
Steve motioned for me to stay behind him as he picked up the receiver.
A distorted voice crackled through the line.
"Tick-tock, detective. You were always too late. Let's see if you can save them this time."
The line went dead.
Steve slammed the phone down. "They're taunting us. They think you're alone. That's their mistake."
I swallowed. "What do we do now?"
Steve's jaw tightened. "We go after them. Tonight. But on our terms."
Outside, an engine rumbled in the driveway.
Too close.
Too familiar.
Steve's eyes widened.
"They're here."
He grabbed my arm and pulled me back from the window.
And the house went silent.