The Truth of Yesterday

Book 4 of the Killian Kendall Mysteries

By Josh Aterovis
Copyright 2026

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Chapter 30

Officer Marshall was sent to escort Ilana and me out. He offered me a small smile as he held the lobby door open for us.

Adam and Micah leaped to their feet the moment we appeared. It was a race to see who could get to me first.

Adam won by a hair, enveloping me in a huge hug. He gripped me tightly for a long time, then stepped back abruptly and shook me by the arms.

"Don't you ever do something that stupid again!"

After he let go of me, Micah quickly moved in for his hug. Holding me close, even longer than Adam had, he whispered fiercely in my ear, "I love you, Killian Kendall. I swear to God, though, if you ever do something like that to me again, I'll leave you and never look back."

I jerked away to stare into his eyes.

He was deadly serious.

"I've never been so scared in my entire life," he said hoarsely. "I couldn't stand to lose you."

"I'm so sorry." I felt as if my heart was being ripped out. "It's okay now, though. It's all over."

"I'm still furious with you. Why didn't you wait for me?"

"If I had, you would have been arrested with me."

"At least I would have known what was happening. You lied to me, Killian. You said you'd wait."

"I'm sorry."

"Can we continue this later?" Novak asked, giving me an unreadable look. I was sure I'd be hearing from him later. "I'd like to get over to the hospital to sit with Judy."

"The hospital?" I asked.

"Jake was admitted for a drug overdose," Adam said.

"Oh my God! Is he okay?"

In all the confusion of being arrested and worrying about what would happen, I hadn't even thought about Jake's condition.

"He'd still not regained consciousness last I heard. I don't know much more than that," Novak said.

I turned to look at Adam and Micah. "Can we go over there too?"

They both nodded. "Of course," Micah said.

"Are you going?" I asked Ilana.

"Well, I was really only here as a family friend. I'm not a criminal lawyer, which means I won't be much help to Jake. Still, I can give some advice, and if things look bad, I can recommend a colleague who is an excellent criminal lawyer. So, yes, I'll join you."

We all left together, then drove to the hospital separately. Adam, Novak, Ilana, and Micah had all come to the police station in their own cars.

The ride over with Micah was mostly silent.

"Micah, I'm really sorry," I said. "I just felt this was something I had to do by myself. Saying I'd wait for you was the only way I could convince you to give me the address. I wish I hadn't lied to you. I promise I won't ever do it again."

"Not now, Killian," he said, turning on the radio.

At the hospital, we found a Judy I hardly recognized. She seemed completely lost sitting in the waiting room alone. I'd never seen her look so defeated and tired.

She brightened a bit when she saw us, however. Her eyes caught and held mine, sharing the knowledge that her vision had been fulfilled. I could see her fear that Jake would be the final loss.

There wasn't much to say. Although nothing had changed yet in Jake's condition, the doctors were still being positive. All we could do was sit and wait in an uneasy silence while sick and injured people came and went around us.

I dozed fitfully, snapping awake as images of the dead bodies I'd seen floated up before my eyes over and over.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a tall, thin doctor who looked as tired as we did approached Judy.

"Ms. Cassara?"

"Yes." She snapped to attention, her back straightening.

"Jake is awake. The police have been in and talked to him, and now he's asking for you. They've given their okay for you to see him."

Judy was on her feet immediately. "If you'll show me the way?"

"Of course. Just follow me."

He led her off beyond the doors. The rest of us sat tight.

"Do you think they'll charge him?" I asked.

"They'll probably hold him in custody, at least," Ilana said, "but unless they have more than they've told us, they won't be able to actually charge him yet. The ballistics tests won't be done today, even with the rush they'll put on it because of who the victim is. That means we can probably get him home by tonight, assuming they set his bail."

"I can't believe this is happening."

"Believe it," Novak said shortly, and we fell back into silence.

It wasn't too long before Judy was back out. "Killian, he wants to see you."

"Me?"

"I told him what happened. He has no memory whatsoever of the killings. He can't tell the police anything, not even to say for sure he didn't do it."

"Drugs?" Novak asked.

"Possibly." Judy gave a weary shrug. "Probably. He could also be blocking the memory. Or maybe he's lying. Who knows anymore?"

"Did the police say it's okay for me to go in?" I asked after an awkward pause.

"Yes. They're hoping something will trigger his memory. They're recording everything, of course, so be careful what you say."

I nodded and stood up nervously.

"Just go through those doors and a nurse will be waiting to show you the room."

I almost turned around when I saw Jake. He looked so pitiful lying in that big hospital bed, his face pale and sunken. There was something black all around his mouth.

"Charcoal," he said in a frail voice.

I stepped closer. "Huh?"

"The black stuff. They pumped my stomach, then gave me charcoal just to be safe. It's supposed to soak up any poisons left in me, or something like that. I think it was just to torture me."

I reached out a tentative hand. He took it in his, his grip weak.

"You came for me," he whispered after a moment.

I bit my lip, not sure what to say.

"You risked your life for me...again. After everything I said to you the other night."

"Actually, it was because of everything you said to me the other night. It made me realize what a terrible friend I've been. I wanted...to make it up to you somehow. I wanted to help you." I looked down at him. "What happened, Jake?"

"I...I don't know."

"I don't even mean just tonight. I mean...what happened to you? How did you end up with Fenton Black?"

He looked away as a tear rolled down his cheek. "I told you how messed up I was in California." His voice was so soft I had to lean in to hear him. "That's part of the reason Judy wanted to move back here. I was having sex with anyone who would supply me."

"Supply you?"

"Drugs. I got into drugs. I guess Judy thought moving me back here would stop it. And it did...for a while. Even I thought things might be different...but then they weren't. It all just hurts so much. I started using again. Small stuff at first — weed, pills now and then. It makes it all go away. I can forget what happened. And it's so easy to get. You can score it at school.

"But then, after a while, it doesn't really work as well. So you need more pills. And then stronger pills. And it kept escalating. There was this one guy who supplied me for sex. His name was Julio or something like that. I don't even remember. He told me he knew someone who would like to meet me. It was Fenton."

"And Fenton offered you drugs for sex?"

"More than just drugs. He showered me with clothes, presents, cash. I felt like a prince, like someone actually cared about me for a change. Which was stupid, but you can believe anything if you try hard enough. He was only interested in the sex, but I could fool myself, lie to myself enough that I didn't think about how he was using me. For a while anyway."

I squeezed his hand.

"Did you kill him?" I asked softly.

His eyes welled up. "I don't know."

"What happened after I left the Ball?"

"He was furious. He screamed at me for talking to you. He accused me of ruining everything, of being a stupid, drug-addicted slut and having single-handedly brought down his empire. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about, that I hadn't said anything to you. He didn't believe me. He took me home and knocked me around a bit."

"He hit you?"

Jake nodded. "Then he gave me some drugs, I don't even know what. I didn't really care. I think he was hoping I'd OD and take care of his dirty work for him."

"You almost did."

He looked up at me. "I wish I had."

I bent over and gathered him up in a hug. "Don't say that."

"Why not? It's true."

"Because...do you know what that would have done to me? To Judy? We love you, Jake. I know I haven't done a very good job of showing it, but I do. I want to be a better friend for you."

We cried for a few minutes, with him clinging to me as if I were a life preserver and he was drowning.

"Jake," I said at last, "I don't think you killed Fenton."

"You don't?"

"No, but I don't know who did. You have to try and help me here."

"I'm trying."

"Okay, what about the case I was working? Did you ever hear Fenton mention someone named Paul Flynn?"

He thought for a minute. "No. Maybe. I can't remember."

"He was an escort in D.C. who was murdered a little while ago. Paul knew that Fenton was involved in some illegal activities, and had been collecting evidence against him. I'm not sure what Paul intended to do with it…turn Fenton in, I guess. Unfortunately, he was a nice guy — if more than a little naïve — so he gave Fenton the chance to turn himself in first. I believe Fenton killed him instead."

"I...maybe there was something..."

"What?"

"It must have been a month ago or more. Something was really bothering Fenton. He'd been pretty edgy for a couple of weeks. We were in his bedroom one night when someone came to see him. From what I could tell, Fenton had asked him to come. Fenton always sent me out of the room when he talked business, so I went to the sitting room and lay down by the fireplace. Sound came clearly through it from the bedroom, and I could hear most of what they said. I got the impression that Fenton wanted this guy to kill somebody. Although he didn't spell it out, he kept hinting, saying stuff like, 'This problem has to be eliminated,' and 'I want you to take care of this for me.'"

"You think he was hiring this guy to kill Paul?"

"They never mentioned any names, so I don't know. And he wasn't exactly hiring the guy, either. They never discussed money or payment. It was more like Fenton had something he was holding over the guy's head, like blackmail."

"Did you see the guy?"

"Yeah."

"Can you remember what he looked like?"

"He was kinda small and dark skinned, might have been Middle Eastern. He had dark eyes, long black hair, and fairly sharp features."

I knew someone who fit that description perfectly.

"Razi!"

"You know him?" Jake asked in surprise.

"We've met."

My heart was hammering in my chest, my mind racing. I sat down heavily in the single chair next to the bed.

"You think this guy may have had something to do with what happened?"

"If Fenton coerced Razi into killing Paul, or even hired him, and Razi discovered I was getting close to finding that out, he might have had reason to want Fenton dead."

"I don't understand."

"As far as Razi is concerned, with Fenton dead there's nothing left to tie him to the crime. He doesn't know you overheard his conversation with Fenton, which is probably the only thing that saved your life."

"What do you mean?"

"I think when Razi found you unconscious, he decided to try and pin the murders on you. That's why he put the gun in your hand and left you alive. If you'd died later of an overdose, it would have been all the better, as if you'd offed yourself after killing everyone else. There'd have been no one left to defend you."

"You don't have proof of any of that."

I stood up. "No, I don't, but I intend to get it."

Jake eyes widened. "How?"

"I'm going to see Razi."

"Killian, no! If he's the killer, you could be in danger."

"It's the only way to clear you of the murders."

"Let the police handle it. I'll tell them everything I've told you."

I'd forgotten about the police for a moment.

"You won't have to tell them anything. I'm sure they're listening. You're right, though. They should handle it, but if that doesn't work..."

I left the rest unsaid. No need to tip my hand to the police just yet.

I left to go find Ilana and a police officer. Ilana went in first for a brief conference with Jake, then she was joined by the officer, who took Jake's official statement.

I sat tensely in the waiting room with Novak, Micah, and Judy. I seemed to have gotten my second wind — or was it my third or fourth by then? — and my body was aching for action. I was itching to be in on whatever the police decided to do about Razi.

Finally, Ilana came back out.

I was on my feet in a flash. "What's going on?"

She shrugged. "You know about as much as I do. Jake gave them a statement regarding this Razi character, but I don't think they gave too much credence to it. They seem to be under the impression that he's making it up to draw suspicion away from himself. They want to see you now to find out what you know about Razi."

As she finished speaking, Detective Rosen came into the waiting room with his signature sour expression on his face. Spotting me, he signaled me over.

"I didn't think I'd be having another conversation with you this soon," he said. "We've got Jake Sheridan's statement, and now we need some information from you. He doesn't know what this Razi's last name is, but he thought you might."

I flipped through my notebook until I found Razi's information.

"It's Akiba, Razi Akiba."

I spelled it for him.

"What do you know about him?"

"Not much. I interviewed him during my investigation, but he wasn't exactly cooperative. I know he used to work for Fenton Black's escort agency and was supposedly a friend of Paul Flynn's, the guy who was murdered."

"That it?"

"I have an address for him."

He copied it down from my notebook.

"Are you going to look into this?" I asked.

Rosen gave me a probing stare.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I'll be getting in touch with the D.C. detective handling the case. We'll compare notes and see where it goes from there."

"Ask for Detective Owen Evans, and you already know everything he knows because I told it to him."

My big mouth earned me a very dirty look.

"Back off, Kendall. I'll take it from here."

"Don't you think you should at least have Razi taken into custody? What if he finds out you're on to him and runs?"

"We can't just lock people up for no reason. Right now, we have no evidence that he's involved with these murders in any way. All we have is the word of some drug-addled kid who'd probably say anything at this point to save his own hide. Maybe he's telling the truth, but until we have something more to go on, we're assuming Jake is the killer here."

"What about the gunpowder residue tests? Did you do them on Jake?"

He raised one eyebrow. "Are you telling me how to do my job?"

"No, but—"

"We're running the test, but even if it comes up negative, that's hardly conclusive. It's not that reliable. Your friend won't be off the hook that easily. Now, go home and stay out of this. Your involvement is finished. That's an order."

I opened my mouth to object, but he ignored me and walked away.

"Killian, relax," Micah said, coming up next to me.

Realizing I had clenched my fists at my sides, I forced myself to let go.

"I have to go back to D.C.," I said in a low voice.

"What? Now?"

"Yes, now."

"Killian, you haven't had any real sleep in almost forty-eight hours. You can't turn around and drive back up there. Let the police handle this."

"Like they handled Paul's case? I've got to do something, Micah. I can't just sit here."

He sighed. "You're going to do this no matter what I say, aren't you?"

I nodded.

His shoulders slumped in resignation. "Then I'll drive you."

"You'll do that for me?"

"I'll go get the car."

As Micah walked out, Novak appeared at my side.

"We need to talk. Let's step outside." His tone of voice implied that this would not be a fun conversation.

I followed him without a word. An older man was smoking a cigarette just beyond the door, so we moved a few feet away.

"I need to apologize to you, Killian."

I felt my mouth drop open. "Apologize to me? For what?"

"I've been very negligent in my training. You came along so quickly and you're such a good investigator, I keep forgetting you're still a rookie. I should have paid more attention instead of getting so wrapped up in my own case."

"Novak, you don't have to apologize." I was confused and a little shaken by this sudden turn of events. "It's your job..."

"It's also my job to make sure you're properly trained as an investigator...and keep you out of trouble. This business at Fenton Black's house was reckless, and well — let's face it — stupid. First of all, if you had a license, it would probably be revoked. What you did is called illegal entry or trespassing. It was also incredibly dangerous. If the security force had been in place, or if the killer had still been on the premises, you would quite possibly be dead right now."

"I know it was stupid. I'm sorry."

He held up a hand.

"But...if you hadn't done what you did, Jake would probably be dead right now from a drug overdose. Plus, it gave us a jump on the killer that we might not have had if you hadn't gotten there when you did."

"So, wait... Was it a good thing I snuck into Fenton's estate or a bad thing?"

"Both."

"I don't get it."

He sighed. "You caught every break possible, so hopefully everything will work out for the best. You might not be so lucky next time. I overheard you saying you're heading to D.C. If you're planning on confronting Razi in some way, I would advise you not to. Somehow, though, I have a feeling I'd be wasting my time."

He gave me a look that clearly invited a response of some sort.

"The police could drag this out for who knows how long, if they do anything at all. The more we delay, the more chance Razi will bolt. Or he could hurt Tad."

"Tad?"

"The boy who lives with him."

"Do you have any reason to think Razi will hurt this boy?"

"He's killed at least four people so far. Isn't that reason enough?"

"You've obviously made up your mind about this. As your employer, I could officially forbid you, but you'd probably just do it anyway." He shook his head. "And I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing if I were in your shoes. I want you to be better prepared than you are, however."

Just then, Micah drove up, reminding me I'd left my car parked in the woods.

"Where's my car?"

"Probably in impound," Novak said. "You'll have to go after it."

"It'll have to wait. I don't have time right now."

"Then I'll take care of it. Come on. I have something to give you," Novak said, setting out across the parking lot.

I jumped into Micah's car. "Follow Novak, please. He has something for me."

"What?"

"I don't know."

When we stopped behind Novak's beat-up old jalopy, he was leaning into the passenger's side to rummage through the glove box.

"Too much crap in here," he grumbled.

He pulled out a shiny black gun and laid it on the seat next to him.

"You're giving me a gun?"

He carefully turned to give me a withering glare.

"Have you lost your mind? Do you honestly think I'd give you a gun? Do you have any idea how quickly they'd yank my license if you ran off and shot somebody with my gun?"

He ducked back in and emerged a few seconds later brandishing a black, tube-shaped object.

"What's that?"

"Pepper spray."

"Pepper spray?" I asked disbelievingly. That was what he wanted to give me?

"Have you ever been on the receiving end of it?"

"No."

"I have. We had to when it was issued to the police department. Let me tell you something: it hurts. All you can think about is how much it hurts. It's some of the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. It's a very effective, relatively nonviolent weapon. Don't knock it. Put out your hand." I did, and he slapped the canister into my open palm. "Stick it in your pocket and don't forget it's there. If you need it, don't hesitate to use it. But for God's sake, make sure it's pointed in the right direction before you spray it. We'll talk more when you get back."

I put it in my pocket, thinking it wasn't very likely I'd be using it. I left Novak returning things to the glove box and rejoined Micah in his car.

"What did he give you?"

"Pepper spray."

Micah frowned.

"Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction too," I said. "Let's go."

"Where exactly are we going?"

"Razi's apartment." I pulled out my notebook, found the address and entered it into Micah's GPS.

"Do you think it's safe to confront Razi? Even with your trusty pepper spray?"

"No, I don't think it's safe, but what choice do I have?"

"Maybe you should call your detective friend that you worked with yesterday."

"Evans? I wouldn't exactly call him a friend."

"Still, he knows the history of the case. He might be willing to go out on a limb to help."

"I doubt that."

I pulled out my cell phone anyway and dialed Evans's number.

A voice message answered: "Hi, this is Detective Owen Evans. I'm not at my desk right now, but if you leave a message at the tone, I'll get back to you as soon as possible. If this is an emergency or if you would like to speak to someone else, please press zero now."

I did so.

The phone rang a few times before being answered by a gruff male voice.

"I'm trying to reach Detective Evans," I said.

"Detective Evans isn't on duty right now. Would you like to leave a voicemail message or speak to the detective currently on duty?"

"No, that's okay." I disconnected. "He's not on duty," I said to Micah.

"What about Chris's dad?"

"He's not even working on this case."

"Still, he might be able to help."

"I should at least tell Chris what's going on," I said.

Glancing at my watch, I realized that between jail and the hospital I'd spent another wakeful night. "It's 7:30. I hope she's an early riser."

Her little brother answered after several rings.

"Hey, Kevin, this is Killian. Is Chris there?"

"Yeah, hang on." I heard him bellow for Chris, followed by their father yelling at Kevin to finish getting ready for school. The phone was set down with a thud.

A few seconds later, Chris came on the line. "Killian! What the hell is going on? We heard on the news this morning that Fenton Black is dead, along with his two bodyguards."

"I know. I'm the one who found them. I was there when the police arrived, and I spent most of the night in jail."

"What?"

I quickly gave her the whole story, including how Jake was currently under suspicion for the murders, and what he'd told me about Razi.

"So we're on our way there now," I said. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do when we arrive. I guess I'll figure it out as I go along."

"Killian, this is crazy. You can't go in there alone."

"Oh, it's okay. I'm armed with pepper spray."

"Huh?"

"Chris, I have to do something. Tad could be in danger. You've met him. He's just a kid, and he's already been through so much."

"You know what? You have a savior complex."

"A what?"

"A savior complex. It's common among cops. It means you think you have a mission to save everyone. Well, guess what? You don't. You're only human. You can't be there for everyone in trouble."

"Of course I can't save everybody, but what kind of person would I be if I knew someone was in danger and didn't do anything to help them?"

"That's what the police are for. Let them deal with it."

"They don't always want to deal with it, and when they do, they're often too late. They don't prevent crime, they just show up after it's already happened."

"That doesn't mean you can just take the law into your own hands."

"All I'm going to do is try to get Tad out of there. And maybe see if I can get Razi to admit anything."

"I just don't think it's a very good idea."

"Is there anything your dad can do?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Backup of some kind?"

"Backup? You're not a cop. You can't get backup."

"I just meant maybe some officers could be sent over to Razi's apartment or something."

"That would be backup. Without evidence, their hands are tied. Right now, there's absolutely nothing linking Razi to either crime, except for the testimony of your friend, who isn't the most reliable source. If someone else could corroborate his story..."

"Everyone who could have done so is dead."

"Which would be convenient if he was lying, since it also means that everyone who could disprove his story is dead."

"Except Razi."

"And, of course, all you have to do is ask him if he killed Paul and the others. I can just see him falling all over himself to admit it."

"I didn't say that."

"Then what exactly are you expecting to happen?"

"I don't know."

What was I expecting? Why was I doing this?

Pausing for a second while I thought about it, I recognized the underlying feeling of pressure, which I'd pretty much grown accustomed to over the last few days, as having been my driving force through all of this. Although I couldn't identify it, I felt something bad was approaching, as if a storm was building, and I had to do what I could to get people out of harm's way.

"It's hard to explain, Chris. I just feel...compelled to do something. Look, I'm sorry I called and upset you. I'll handle this myself."

"Killian, does your compulsion have anything to do with those — what did you call them — gifts you were telling me about?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it does."

"Please don't do anything stupid."

"I won't."

I hung up and slumped down in my seat sulkily.

Micah took his eyes off the road long enough to glance over at me.

"Why don't you try to get a little sleep? I'll wake you up when we reach the city."

I shrugged. It was as good a suggestion as any, although I doubted I'd be able to fall asleep, considering how keyed up I was. Somewhat surprisingly, however, I realized I was drifting off after just a few minutes. I struggled against it for a bit longer, then finally gave in and slept.

I came awake with a start when Micah gently shook my arm.

"We're almost to D.C. What's the plan once we get there?"

My little nap seemed to have done more harm than good, leaving me feeling very discombobulated.

"I don't really have one."

"Well, it might be a good idea to come up with one, don't you think?"

"I work better without a plan."

"Okay. Well, what about me?"

"What about you?"

"Hey, Killian, can you stop being so hostile with me? I'm on your side, remember? I didn't have to drive you up here."

"You're right. I'm sorry," I said contritely. "I'm just so tired. Not that I'm trying to make excuses. It's just..."

"Never mind. I understand. This is something you feel you have to do. I can sympathize with that. I'm not going to try and stop you. I want to help you, but I don't know what to do. Should I go in with you, or stay outside and act as your backup?"

I rubbed my face, wishing I was more alert for this. "I don't know. Which do you think would be better?"

"Neither one is going to be a picnic," he said darkly. "If I go in and something goes wrong, I may not be able to call for help, but at least I'll know what the hell is happening. If I stay outside and something goes wrong, I may be able to call for help, but I won't know what's happening. And what if Razi isn't home?"

"Huh?" That possibility had completely escaped me.

"What if Razi isn't even there?"

"Well, that would make it easier to get Tad away from him, at least."

"Have you thought ahead as to what you're going to do with Tad if he decides to leave with you?"

My silence was answer enough.

"You're really doing this on a wing and a prayer, aren't you?"

"He can stay with me until we figure out what to do with him," I said.

"I hope Adam will be okay with that."

"He will be. Besides, he's barely even at the beach house these days. He spends most of the time at the B&B."

"Okay. So you have a plan if Razi isn't there: Whisk Tad away to safety. What if Razi is there?"

"Then I'll think of something."

"Kill, I know you think fast on your feet — usually, anyway — but you're awfully tired right now. You're not exactly at your peak performance."

"Do you have any ideas?"

"Not really."

"Alright then. We wing it."

Micah sighed, obviously not happy with that prospect but unable to come up with a better alternative.

We drove the last few minutes to Razi's neighborhood in tense silence. Micah parked the car on the street, and we approached the apartment building on foot.

At Razi's door, I hesitated, wondering if maybe we shouldn't form some sort of plan after all.

The question was answered for me when the door suddenly swung open and Tad stepped into the hall carrying a large trash bag. He blinked in surprise when he saw us.

I quickly put my finger to my lips before he could say anything. He pulled the door shut and looked at me questioningly.

"Is Razi home?" I whispered.

He nodded uncertainly. "I have to throw this in the dumpster. If I take too long, he'll be mad. He's been in a really foul mood lately. What are you doing here?"

"Keep walking. I'll come with you and tell you on the way. Micah, you stay here and watch the door in case Razi comes out."

"And what should I do if he does?"

I shrugged. "You'll think of something."

Tad trotted off down the hall, with me matching him step for step.

"Do you know why Razi has been in such a bad mood lately?" I asked him.

When he shot me a sideways glance, I noticed the fading evidence of a black eye.

"No," he answered shortly.

"Was Razi home last night?"

"Yeah, why?"

That stopped me in my tracks for a second. I rushed to catch back up.

"He was home? Are you sure?"

"Why? What's going on?"

"There was a murder last night, several murders in fact, and a friend of mine is being accused of them. I'm pretty sure it's all connected to Paul's murder, and Razi is involved up to his eyeballs. But if he was here last night..."

"You think Razi is the killer?"

"Yes, there's a witness who heard Razi being asked to kill Paul."

"But...but Paul was Razi's friend. Razi wouldn't kill him."

We approached the dumpsters in an alley next to the apartment building. Tad tossed the bag into one of them and started back.

"The witness said the guy who wanted the job done seemed to have something on Razi, something he was holding over Razi's head. Besides, it could have been killing two birds with one stone. Didn't you say Paul had been talking about getting in touch with your father?"

"Razi wouldn't have killed him," Tad said again, although he didn't sound so convinced this time.

"Look, I know you feel you owe Razi some sort of loyalty because he took you in, but as I said before, it could be a lot different, better. You can stay with me until we figure something out."

Tad's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, very serious. I don't think it's safe for you to be here anymore." I stopped and grabbed his wrist. "Listen for a minute, Tad. If I'm right, then Razi has killed at least four people, one of whom was supposed to be his best friend. Even if I'm wrong about that..." I reached out and gently touched the fading bruise. "He did this, didn't he?"

Tad nodded slightly.

"If he's hitting you, what makes this any better than living with your dad?"

"It's not always like this, only when I do something wrong."

"Nobody deserves to be treated this way, Tad. Get out while you can."

"What about Razi?"

"What about him?"

"What if he comes after me?"

"Do you think he would?"

"I don't know. Maybe. He doesn't like to lose things he thinks of as his."

"And you're his property?"

He shrugged.

"We'll have to deal with that if and when it happens. Do you have anything inside that you need?"

"I never said I was going with you."

"Tad, come on. Think. You've essentially become Razi's sex slave." He winced but didn't argue. "And now you're turning into his punching bag too. Is that what you want?" He shook his head. "I can give you a safe place to stay until we figure something out. Will you go with me?"

He nodded, although he looked more terrified than ever.

"Good. Is there anything in the apartment you need, or can we just leave?"

"The clothes Razi bought me..."

"We can get you new clothes."

"That's all I have."

"Okay. I'll call Micah."

I pulled out my phone and dialed Micah's phone. It rang and rang with no answer. I hung up and turned back to Tad.

"He's not answering. You wait by the car while I go get him." I pointed out the car and started back inside.

"Killian, hold on," Tad called before I reached the door. I turned back.

"I wasn't completely honest with you."

"About what?"

"When you asked me if Razi was home last night."

"He wasn't home?"

"He was, but not all night. He got a phone call yesterday afternoon that seemed to upset him. I don't know who it was or what it was about, because Razi hardly said a word. As soon as he hung up, he slammed around the apartment for a few minutes, then left. He returned after dark in a terrible mood. I did my best to avoid him for the rest of the night."

"So he could be the killer?"

Tad shrugged helplessly. "You'd better hurry. He's going to notice I've been gone too long and come looking for me."

"Okay, I'll be right back."

When I reached Razi's floor, however, Micah was nowhere to be seen.

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