Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 124451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Sara follows me with Hudson and Addie trailing behind. Addison looks like she’s about to pass out, her nervousness making her brave enough to clutch Hudson’s hand, refusing to let go. We make our way into the foyer and the detective’s voice trails off when he sees Sara approaching. “Mrs. Morgan,” he says, tipping his head like a gentleman. “We apologize for barging in on your evening like this. I’m sure you were all sitting down for a meal, so we’ll keep this short.”
“What’s this about?” she questions as I move in beside Tanner, almost cowering behind his big shoulder, too scared to hear what they have to say. After all, good news doesn’t prompt an in-person meeting like this. Whatever this is, it’s not something we’re going to easily shake off. I grip Tanner’s hand and he squeezes mine in return, holding it tight.
The detective gives Sara an encouraging smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “We’ve regrettably come to provide your son with an update on Colby Jacobs’ state.”
Sara’s back stiffens as I grip Tanner tighter, feeling him starting to sway on his feet, the color already draining from his face. “Just give it to us straight,” I tell them, needing them to rip it off like a Band-Aid.
The detective meets my stare and gives me a quick nod before lifting his haunted gaze to Tanner’s. “Would you prefer to talk in private, son?”
Tanner glances toward Addison, fear in his eyes while Addie just looks … broken. Tanner shakes his head. “No, it’s fine. Whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of my family,” he tells them, his voice thick with sorrow. “What’s the verdict?”
The two cops share a glance before the officer takes a step back, allowing the detective to take point on this. “I’m sorry, Tanner. Colby was pronounced brain dead in the early hours of this morning and his family made the decision to turn off his life support. As of a few hours ago, Colby Jacobs was confirmed dead.”
Addison gasps, dropping to her knees as Hudson hovers around her, dropping his hand to her back and doing everything he can to comfort her as the wild emotions rock through her. Tanner falls back against me, stumbling before quickly catching himself. “I killed him,” he mutters, barely able to meet the detective’s eye, disbelief thick in his tone.
“Yes,” he confirms.
A tear falls from Sara’s eye, and she hastily wipes it away before meeting the detective’s stare. “So what now? Will Tanner be charged for his involvement?”
The detective shakes his head. “No, ma’am, I do not believe so. Tanner was clearly acting in self-defense. However, it is up to the discretion of Colby’s family if they wish to push this further, but given the evidence, I do not think any judge in his or her right mind would convict your son of any wrongdoing.”
“So it’s over?” Sara questions. “All the hell Colby Jacobs has brought down over our family is finally over?”
“I understand this isn’t the type of justice you were searching for, but yes, Colby Jacobs cannot hurt your family ever again. However, it would be foolish to assume the scars of his brutal attack won’t live on.” The detective turns back to Tanner. “If you feel you would like to speak with a professional, I can offer you the names of a few local therapists who would be willing to sit down with you and talk through it all. Taking a life … whether innocent or guilty, it’s not something you can simply shrug off. It will haunt you and it will take a toll on your mind. It’s best to be prepared for that. It will hit you when you least expect it.”
Tanner nods and my hand slips up the back of his shirt, pressing against his warm skin as a reminder that I’m here for anything he needs. The cop slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a business card. He hands it to Tanner with a tight smile. “If you have any questions, just let us know.”
Tanner nods. “Thank you,” he murmurs, the words sounding as though they cause him physical pain.
The detective spares a forced smile for Sara before the cops turn and make their way back out the door when Addison gasps and flies up off the ground, her eyes wide. “Wait,” she rushes out, lunging forward to catch them. The cops turn and look back at her with furrowed brows, waiting patiently as Addison tries to find the strength to go on. “What about Erica?” she asks. “This isn’t over until she’s been punished for what she did.”
“Erica?” the detective questions, glancing at the other cop for a quick second.
“Erica Sawyer,” I confirm, clinging to Tanner’s side. “She acted with Colby, helping to drug Addison the night she was raped, and then fabricated evidence to pin it on me.”