Page 54 of Shattered Silence Duet

Chapter 34

Atlas

Istare at Mina’s home as I blindly spin my pocketknife in my hand before closing it and opening it, repeating that comforting gesture over and over again. Today, I’m staking out her home on my own. Gideon, Tucker and the twins are at school, while Ben’s at home researching and Dom will be taking my place later to give me a break.

The house has been quiet since I saw Mina leave early this morning. I was glad I could coordinate the twins picking her up, so she didn’t have to walk all the way to school. I can’t believe she’s been walking this distance twice a day. If her mother’s worried about a stalker, it seems strange she wouldn’t drive her to school, especially since she doesn’t seem to have a job. That raises another question: where is Helen getting her money from?

My phone pings and I unlock the screen to see a message from Max in our group chat.

Max:I just told Mina about Lisa. She noticed students acting weird and asked why. She seemed genuinely shocked. She said Lisa was in her gym class and spoke to her, that she was nice to her.

Max:She saw a picture of another victim and figured out it was a serial killer targeting people who look like her. She started crying and almost had a panic attack. I asked her straight up if she reallyknew nothing about the murders and she said no. I believe her. You should have seen her face.

Jasper:I didn’t even think to ask her this morning if she heard.

Max:That’s because we were a bit preoccupied.

Tucker:Preoccupied with what?

Jasper:Max saw what she’d been googling…

Gideon:Which was…?

Max:‘How to know if he’s into you,’ and ‘how to flirt.’

Ben:Oh, shit.

Jasper:Yeah…

Tucker:What did you say when you saw it?

Max:We asked if she knew why she was flirting, then told her it’s what you do when you want something more with someone.

Jasper:Then he kissed her.

Me:The fuck?!

Dom:She better have consented.

Max:Calm down, it was on the cheek! And you think I’d kiss her against her will?

Dom:You’re right, sorry Max

It’s not like we all didn’t want to kiss her ourselves. The age gap itself isn’t necessarily a problem, but she is only seventeen. Even if it is legal and we’d be doing nothing wrong… pursuing a relationship with her doesn’t seem right under these circumstances.

Ben:I know we haven’t talked about this yet, but we need to have a conversation about what our intentions are with her beyond this case. I don’t think I’m the only one feeling something for her.

Well shit, someone’s finally bringing it up. And he’s right, I’m definitely feeling it too. And the fact that Ben is bringing it up makes me feel hopeful that she could be the one for us. We just need to tread very carefully here since she’s seventeen. Although technically legal in this state, it’s not in every state.

Me:Gideon, when does she turn eighteen?

Gideon:Her birthday is in six months.

Six months… we could wait that long, couldn’t we? We’d have to. Besides, she will still be in high school and a minor until then. Her mother was in her right to keep her away from us if she wanted to, unfortunately.

Jasper:Max, how is she now?

Max:She looks worried.