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Chaos: Did something happen?

I should tell her no.

Instead, I don't tell her anything.

That's safer.

My attention snaps back to Mercer when he gets up. He crosses the sidewalk and enters a small café.

I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Then immediately get pissed at myself for doing it.

This is a job. Hollow Creek is a location. Mercer is a target. Callie has nothing to do with any of it.

That's how it's going to stay.

My phone buzzes.

Chaos: Roman?

Not James.

Roman.

Me: Nothing happened.

The dots appear.

Chaos: I don't believe you.

I stare at the words.

Me: That's your problem.

I regret it as soon as I send it.

The dots don't appear.

A minute passes.

Nothing.

Good.

That's what I wanted. I need her out of this. Away from me. Away from Mercer and whatever the fuck brought him to Hollow Creek.

I shove the phone in my pocket.

Mercer exits the café five minutes later. He isn't carrying anything.

What the fuck?

Why did he go inside?

He walks in the opposite direction now.

Something has changed.

His pace isn't faster. His posture isn't different. But he's no longer looking around.