Chapter Sixty-Two Naomi

Chapter Sixty-Two

Naomi

Thursday, May 25, 2023, one day before her death

How has this gone so wrong? My bout of paranoia on the lawn has me freaked out—the stress is really getting to me. My heart is pounding as I pack a suitcase in my room, throwing in only what I need. Ben’s offered to let me stay at his uncle’s place in the city.

I was so sure Marta would come through…but in the end, she must have gotten scared.

After zipping my suitcase, I press my palms to my eyes. I can do this. All I have to do is get on that train.

I’m about to leave when the sound of my phone makes me nearly jump out of my skin. I glance down—it’s Liam. We haven’t spoken since he showed up drunk at my door last week. I should ignore it…I should—

My thumb taps the screen. I feel sick, every cell in my body tense with anger.

“Naomi?” His voice is strange. “Where are you?”

I grit my teeth. “Why? Does Matthew want to know?”

Liam doesn’t reply. I imagine his jaw working as he paces in his room. “Listen to me. I need you to—”

“Don’t do this.”

“Where are you? Are you home?”

“I’m leaving. Goodbye, Liam.”

“Wait.” His voice is urgent. I hear him opening a door. Running down the stairs. “Listen to me—you have to be careful. They know everything. They’re coming for you.” He’s breathing hard. Running. “Stay where you are. I’ll be there in a minute.”

The fear in his voice makes my heart race. Then the panic gives way to anger. “Don’t come near me.”

“Naomi—”

“I’m done!” I hang up. Close my eyes as they prick with tears. I’d trusted him with everything, and he’d lied to me. The hurt rushes up inside again, stinging my heart, spreading outward across my shoulders. He said he loved me. And that, too, was a lie.

They’re coming for you.

I’m not safe here. I need to leave. Now.

I’m rushing toward the front door when a voice makes me jump.

“You okay?” Zee stands in the hallway in a sleep shirt, her hair wrapped for bed. “That sounded rough.”

I shake my head, fighting tears. “I’m fine. I’m staying a couple nights in the city. You could come with me.”

She shakes her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Trey’s coming over.”

“Okay. Good.” I nod. “I’ll be back Saturday. Where’s Amy?”

“She’s with friends,” Zee says. “I’ll keep trying Marta.”

I’m halfway out the door when she stops me. “And, hey—” she says. I turn and meet her worried gaze. “Be careful, okay?”

—

The train shrieks out of the station. I stare blankly at the passing factories and old buildings as it surges toward the city. It’s the first time I’m alone with my thoughts, and they buzz loudly through my skull. Why am I running? So I don’t have to face the truth?

Matthew and his friends were lying, stealing, cheating, and he’d do anything to make sure it doesn’t come out. That much is clear.

—

I close my eyes and pin my head to the back of the seat, concentrate on the movement of the train, my chest so tight I feel like I might pass out. Focus. Think of the options.

We could go to the Times, force them to take us seriously. At least have them expose Greystone, even if we couldn’t yet prove the murder. That could buy us more time to convince Marta to help us. I could go to Maya, make her tell me the truth…but not after what Kai told me. Not after knowing that it could land her in prison.

A few moments later, I get the disquieting feeling that someone is staring at the back of my neck, and my eyes bolt open.

Reflected in the glass, there he is, standing right behind me.

I whip around, ready to fight for my life. But the man in the aisle is not Matthew DuPont. The man looks at me like I’m crazy and continues down the aisle, glancing back over his shoulder like I might follow him, steal his wallet. Ha. I look down the aisle, scanning the downturned faces for DuPont, but he’s not there.