Chapter 40

CHAPTER FORTY

Kinley couldn't relax. For the past half hour she'd paced around the house, nerves battering her insides. The ringing of her phone split the air, and she quickly grabbed it up. Seeing Cam's name on the screen, she quickly tapped the button to answer. "Did you find anything?"

"We got a match," Cam said, his tone serious. "The partial print on your keychain belongs to Lance Barton."

For a moment, the room spun, and Kinley had to steady herself against the back of the couch. "You're sure?"

"Positive," Cam replied. "We've got him in custody right now."

Kinley nodded, though she knew Cam couldn't see her. "Okay," she managed to say. "Thanks for letting me know."

"Stay safe," he added before the call ended.

Kinley lowered the phone, her mind reeling. He really was involved. It still didn't seem quite real. He seemed so nice—how could he be involved in something so sinister?

A knock on the door startled her, making her jump. Her heart raced as she walked to the door, peeking through the peephole. Relief washed over her when she saw Max standing on her doorstep with a friendly smile.

"Hey, Kinley." His easygoing smile gave away to concern. "Is everything okay?"

Kinley forced a smile, though her nerves were still on edge. He must not have heard about Lance yet. "Hey. Sorry, just got some… bad news."

He looked genuinely worried. "I'm sorry to hear that. I hate to do this to you now, but… We had a last-minute showing scheduled for this afternoon."

She blinked at him before realization hit. "Oh! Of course. I—I'll go change and get out of here for a bit."

He shot her a relieved smile. "Thanks, Kinley. And take your time. I'll wait outside until you're ready."

Kinley closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, trying to collect herself. She had trusted Lance, had let him into her home and into her life. The thought that he might have been hiding something so dark made her skin crawl.

She went upstairs and quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and shoved her feet into a pair of flats. As she pulled her hair into a messy bun, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in her stomach.

Something wasn't right.

* * *

David Collins stood at the basement door, a key in his hand. He glanced around to make sure no one was watching before slipping the key into the lock. The door opened silently, and he stepped inside, closing it behind him with a quiet click. The dim light from a small basement window cast long shadows, adding an eerie atmosphere to the cluttered space.

He moved quietly through the basement, memories flooding back as he navigated the familiar territory. Boxes and old furniture lay scattered around, remnants of his past life in this house. He took a moment to absorb the nostalgia, feeling a strange mix of longing and determination. This had once been his home, and in his mind, it still was.

As he moved farther into the basement, his footsteps were light, barely making a sound on the concrete floor. He reached the stairs and began his ascent, each step careful and measured. The house was quiet, save for the distant hum of a refrigerator and the occasional creak of settling wood. David felt a thrill of excitement mixed with anxiety; he had to be cautious, but the thought of seeing Kinley again fueled his resolve.

Reaching the top of the stairs, he paused to listen. He could hear soft sounds coming from upstairs—Kinley moving about in her bedroom, likely getting ready to leave as she had mentioned. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, and moved silently through the hallway. The familiar layout of the house came back to him effortlessly, guiding his steps as he made his way toward the stairs that led to the second floor.

Each step on the wooden staircase was a calculated risk. He placed his weight carefully to avoid the known creaky spots, his ears attuned to any sign that Kinley might hear him. The old house seemed to conspire against him, the wood groaning softly despite his efforts.

Finally, he reached the top of the stairs. Her bedroom door was slightly ajar, allowing him to peek inside. Kinley stood near her dresser, her back to the door, oblivious to his presence. For a moment, he simply watched her.

She was such a beautiful girl. It was such a shame that it had come to this. The secrets he thought he'd buried had come to light. Now it was time to lay the past to rest once and for all.