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I step back into my house and close the door, locking the deadbolt behind me. With light feet and quick steps, I hurry back to the couch and sit down, opening the manila envelope. Inside, I find a copy of the police report of Damien’s dad’s death.
I pull out the papers and scan them quickly, noting that they look like official documents with photos, diagrams, and statements. But as I read them more closely, I notice something odd. Ryan wasn't kidding when he said there were multiple conflicting statements regarding what they found.
My heart thunders in my chest as I think about all of this information.
Picking up my phone off the side table next to my couch, I quickly dial Damien's number.
He answers on the second ring.
“Hi, Zoe.” He sounds happy to hear from me, and I feel bad that this might potentially ruin his day.
“Damien, I have something.” I don't know how to tell him, and I stumble over my words, but he sounds patient on the other end of the line.
“I'm not sure what you mean, but I'm here.”
“I mean, I have the police report regarding your father’s death and all the evidence they have on file.” I hold my breath, then let it out slowly, trying to calm my racing heart. This is huge and it might change everything.
“You what?” He sounds stunned, like he can't believe what I just said.
“I think you need to get your private investigator on the phone.” As soon as I say the words, I hear him fumbling around on the other end of the line. A moment later, I can hear a ringing phone and know he’s called the PI.
“Hello, Damien,” he says.
“Hi, Connor. You’re on the line with me and my girlfriend Zoe,” Damien says.
I can't help but enjoy the flood of warmth that fills me as he calls me his girlfriend.
“Pleasure to meet you, Zoe,” Connor says.
“Likewise,” I say, impatient with the pleasantries and ready to jump into the thick of things. “I received the official police report from Damien's dad's death.”
There is silence on the other end of the line and I wonder if they both hung up on me.
“Well, I could ask how you got that information, but I'm not sure I want to know,” Connor says.
“I couldn't tell you, anyway.” I said that I would protect Ryan in this, and I absolutely have every intention of keeping my word. “What I can do is send you pictures of everything right now over the phone.” I set the phone to speaker as Connor replies.
“That would be great.”
Pulling everything out of the manila envelope, I line it all up nice and neat and take pictures, sending them all to both numbers on the call. Part of me wonders if I should send such sensitive things to Damien and how he'll be holding up, but I have no doubt that he is strong enough to withstand what he's about to see. I don't think it's my call to hide things from him.
“Careful, Damien, some of this might be a little sensitive,” I say, wanting to protect him and give him the option to not look should he so choose.
“Thank you for the warning,” he says.
I can hear the echoing quality of all of our voices and know that we've all put each other on speakerphone. Which tells me everyone right now is looking at the photos that I'm sending.
“This is incredible,” Connor says quietly, as if to himself. “This is exactly what I needed. This changes everything.”
My heart skips a beat. “What do you mean?” I'm a little bit worried about how quiet Damien is being on the other end of the line, but I'm also excited.
“I mean, I just realized something, something that connects all the dots and explains everything,” Connor says, his tone surprised.
“What is it? What did you realize?” Damien asks.
“I can't tell you right now. Not over the phone. I need to verify some information first and I will call you back, I swear.” With that, Connor disconnects the call and it’s just Damien and me on the line.
“How are you doing over there?” I ask, hoping this didn’t traumatize him all over again.
