Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
He shakes his head. “No. Like I told the police, one minute I’m walking to school, the next I’m waking up as someone’s fucking slave.”
My heart breaks.
So they’re being drugged and kept drugged until they’re in a different state? Country? Either way, whoever is doing it is making sure they’re not seen or heard.
“I understand. I’m so sorry to be asking. Do you happen to know how you were returned?”
His eyes dart to the left before he answers, and I know he’s about to lie to me.
“I don’t know. Same thing happened. Woke up here, back where I was taken.”
He’s not telling me the truth.
“Look, I get it okay, you’re not wanting anymore involvement in this than you already have. I understand that. But I need to know the truth. Please. Can you just give me something?”
His eyes narrow and he glances around. “All I’ll say is that I was saved and returned. I have been given protection, provided I don’t say a word. I’m never going to speak, because my life means more to me. Tomorrow, I’m leaving this town, and I’m never looking back.”
“Someone saved you?”
“I’m done talking.”
He turns and begins walking away again.
“Corbin, wait,” I say, rushing behind him. “Why you?”
He pauses and glances over his shoulder at me. “My foster parents weren’t paid off, that’s why. They weren’t going to stop.”
Then, he disappears around the corner.
I’m so damned confused, and yet, at the same time, things seem to be coming together. From what I can gather, some of the families are being paid off – given money to not say a thing when their kids go missing. Of course, they report it, they’re legally required to, but they don’t search. I spent hours last night reading the cases, and there are a few where the families have remained quiet after the initial report. I wrote all the names down. I could only find a few cases of families who really went above and beyond to find their kid – Corbin’s family was one of them.
But who would go searching for Corbin and have him returned, and why?
Was the family getting too close to the truth, so they returned him to shut them up and had him stay quiet for his own safety? After what he has endured, it wouldn’t surprise me that he would be willing to say just about anything not to go back. He is easily manipulated, and he is going to do as he’s told. I make a note to talk to his family, if they’ll listen. I am curious to know just how close they got to figuring all this out.
Turning, I walk out of the alley and make my way down the main street.
I’m just about to stop at a regular café I go to when I notice a newspaper stand. Frowning, I see a familiar face on the cover, and I rush over, lifting it up. Bill’s face is on the front page with the words ‘Bill Whart speaks out after allegations of murder.”
No.
Frantically, I flip to the story and begin to read.
Bill goes on about how he was framed by the club, and that he would never take the life of a man, let alone a young boy. He tells of his good deeds around town, and how he has done nothing but help the local people. He is innocent of the crime, and police have evidence and proof that Western killed Daniel and Braithe, and that the club is behind any missing persons cases in or around the area.
Bill is declaring war with his words, and he knows it.
He is making people second guess; he is bringing Western back into the spotlight to a town that already hates him. He knows his tactic will work, if he comes out looking even better, then the club will just become more of a problem for town folk.
I put the newspaper down and turn, deciding against stopping at the café.
I have to work tonight, and, before then, I need to clear my head.
I’ve been overloaded with information, and the fact that I’m completely avoiding Western and the club won’t fly too much longer. He’s going to get frustrated soon, and they’ll track me down. I don’t know how I’m going to face him after what happened. That was bad enough, but adding in the fact that I’m being given more and more proof that the club is involved in this horrible crime, makes it that much worse.
Leo has been trying to contact me constantly, and I know I’m being a bad friend. I told him I’m just busy but okay, and that, too, won’t fly for much longer.
For now, I just need to focus on getting through tonight.
Then I can worry about what comes next.
Even if that upends everything I’ve finally pieced back together again.