The Final Goodbye

by Brittney Sahin

  “Why kill Ralph first, though?” Aiden asked. “Unless all of the kills were premeditated and purposeful. Ralph and Patrick were distractions and Lydia was the true target?”

  “Bobby can’t have Lydia so no one will?” Ben lifted his shoulders, doubting the possibility.

  “Maybe Bobby hated that Lydia loved Daniel, so he’s either trying to frame him for the murders . . . or kill him next,” Riley said, her eyes widening as she processed the thought. “We need to warn him.”

  Ben hated the asshole, but did he want him dead? Maybe a little. “I don’t think he’ll try and kill Daniel. If it truly is Bobby, murdering Daniel would tie back to him too easily. It’d be a stupid move.”

  “Maybe we should go to the police with this?” Riley’s shoulders sagged. “But we can’t, can we? It’d get you guys in trouble. Hacking the police station is pretty damn illegal, last time I checked.”

  “We’ll handle this. I promise. I won’t let anyone else die,” Ben said as his phone began to vibrate in his pocket.

  It was his mom. He didn’t feel like discussing whether she wanted to serve Merlot or a Cab at dinner, but he answered anyway. “Yeah?”

  “Are you okay? Are you watching the news?” she rushed out.

  Ben spun around and looked at the TV. He pointed to it, motioning for Aiden to turn it on.

  “There’s been another murder,” his mom said when the screen flickered on, showing a castle-like home he recognized.

  “Call you back.” He ended the call and focused on the TV.

  “I’m going back online to see what the police have,” Ava announced.

  The reporter appeared onscreen a moment later, one of the same people who’d crammed questions down their throats yesterday. “Elizabeth Stanton was found dead in her home this morning by her grandfather. Unofficial reports suggest that a partial print was recovered at the scene. The police have yet to confirm or deny this information, but we’ll keep you up-to-date.” The reporter’s green eyes narrowed. “It looks like the killer is no longer focusing on doctors. The sheriff has advised everyone to keep a lookout for anyone or anything suspicious. We’re going to scroll a number across the screen; call if you have any information for the police.”

  Aiden turned off the TV and faced Ben. “Well, this is a goddamn plot twist.”

  Ben’s hands went to his hips, and he bowed his head in thought. “Jesus, we were at her house yesterday.”

  “Do you know her aside from that?” Aiden asked.

  “We dated in high school,” Ben answered.

  Aiden heaved out a deep breath. “And did you touch anything in the house while you were there?”

  “Is it my print they found?” Riley asked. “Is this it? Are they going to lock me up?”

  “You get into their records yet?” Ben looked to Ava, and she nodded. “Time of death?”

  “Roughly five a.m.,” she answered.

  “You were with me. You have an alibi,” Ben said with relief.

  “And the sheriff will never believe you.” Her eyes began to well.

  Ben’s face tightened. “He’ll have to.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The buzz of fluorescent lights drew Ben’s eyes as he followed the sheriff into the room. He was thankful it was him being questioned, instead of Riley.

  The walls were gunmetal gray, and based on the lack of cameras or any technology—excluding the recorder on the table that looked like it belonged in the nineties, when a Radio Shack still existed—he doubted the room had ever been used prior to the killing spree.

  Of course, he didn’t want his home town dealing with crimes, but he couldn’t help but worry about the station’s lack of experience.

  Ben took a seat and held out his hands, palms up. “Just you and me, huh? Where’s that special detective you brought in?”

  The sheriff’s broad body occupied the other chair, and he swiped his large mug of a hand over his bald head.

  “You find something funny?” The mottled skin on the sheriff’s forehead pinched tight.

  “Why? Do I look amused?” He casually leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands in his lap.

  “You look like a damn cocky bastard is what.” Stubby fingers scratched at an already pock-marked cheek.

  “You mean I look confident. I have alibis for all the murders, and so you’re wasting your goddamn time right now.” Irritation sprung into his tone, even though he tried to remain as cool as possible.

  Leaving Riley to come to the station had him about a hundred shades of pissed off right now.

  “Your print was found on the buzzer outside Elizabeth Stanton’s home. And based on our sources, you two dated back in school.”

  And here we go. He glanced heavenward and tucked his tongue inside his cheek, fighting back the desire to curse.

  Sources? Yeah, sure. Source. Singular. Your daughter.

  Now he knew why the sheriff looked like he wanted to stab a dagger in his heart. He was damn certain Charlize told him about what happened in Vegas.

  Maybe he’d been a dick to Charlize, but this wasn’t the time or place to drag bruised egos into the middle of things.

  “Guess that favor you owe me fell through the cracks,” Ben mumbled when silence competed with his thoughts. He wanted to get out of there and back to Riley, and so, he probably needed to bite the bullet and get this over with as fast as possible.

  “What were you doing at the Stanton residence?”

  He raised his chin and cupped the back of his neck with both hands. “I was following a lead. I had concerns about her cousin, but when we spoke to Beth, she said he’d taken off to Charlotte.” Ben tipped his head toward the door. “Looks like you knew that since Jeremy’s out there in cuffs.” He assumed Jeremy had been arrested for taking off, violating his parole.

  “Yeah, well, I told you to back off the case.”

  “I must’ve misunderstood.”

  “You watch yourself. I’ll arrest you for obstruction of justice.”

  There was a knock at the door, which saved Ben from flinging the sarcastic response that edged onto the tip of his tongue.

  “Come in,” the sheriff hollered and shifted in his seat once the door opened.

  The detective didn’t enter the room. “He can go,” he said and closed the door.

  “Give me a minute.” The sheriff stood and left which had Ben rising to his feet, rocking back on his heels.

  He’d been in rooms like this one before, and it hadn’t bothered him in the past. Hell, he’d been holed up in a cave in Afghanistan for thirty-six hours one time while the Taliban had searched for him. It hadn’t exactly been the highlight of his life, but he’d gotten away with only a bullet in his hip. And so, he considered any day alive to be a good day.

  But right now—a thickness started to grow in his throat, making it hard to swallow. His breathing quickened, and the urge to claw at the walls, to climb up and punch a hole in the ceiling to break free, had him bearing his knuckles down on the table and hanging his head low.

  He needed to get to Riley. Worry hollowed out his gut, and every bone in his body was telling him something was wrong.

  She’s with Aiden, he reminded himself. She’s okay.

  The door crept open a moment later. “I guess you’re good to go,” the sheriff said as if he wanted to choke on his own words.

  Ben didn’t care to ask any other questions or say anything.

  He tore out of the station, darted out into the downpour, and rushed for the SUV.

  And when he arrived at the hotel parking lot, still crowded with media vans, he noticed one other car.

  Daniel’s.

  Motherfucker.

  Once upstairs, Ben abandoned all sense of self-control at the sight of Daniel in front of the hotel room, arguing with Aiden.

  If Daniel wanted someone to fight he was game.

  “Get out of my way, or I’ll move you,” Daniel said to Aiden.

  Aiden continued to stand with crossed a
rms, blocking the entrance to the hotel room.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Ben rasped.

  “I’m taking Riley out of here,” Daniel said over his shoulder. “Did you assholes not hear about the murder yesterday? I’m going to keep her safe, not you. She won’t even return my calls because you probably took her damn phone.” He slowly turned toward Ben. Anger stained his cheeks; the skin was tinged red all the way to the tips of his ears.

  “She’s not yours to protect.” Bitter bile rose in Ben’s throat at the thought of Daniel going anywhere near Riley ever again.

  “We’ve been through this before.” Daniel poked a finger at Ben’s chest. “You’ll be going, and I’m staying. So back the fuck off and let me in the damn room. I’ll handle things from now on.”

  Ben’s hands disappeared into his pockets, and he gripped his car keys in his palm, fisting them to control his desire to pop the guy in the face.

  Aiden edged behind Daniel, prepared to grab the man if needed.

  “Let me talk to Riley.” Daniel blew out his cheeks.

  “Go, before your pretty-boy face requires plastic surgery.” Ben’s tone evened out. “If you think I’m afraid of a little prison time—I’m not.”

  “And if you think I’m afraid of a fight you’re mistaken.” Anger crept back into his brandy-colored eyes, and Daniel rolled his shoulders as if loosening up to prepare himself.

  The door behind Aiden flung open a split second later. “Guys, the sheriff is making an arrest,” Ava rushed out.

  Riley hovered behind Ava. She’d been about three seconds away from witnessing a fight had Ava not opened the door.

  “Go,” Ben ordered over his shoulder as he headed into the hotel room, following Aiden.

  “Let him in. He can hear what happened.” Riley stared at Ben with downturned lips, a silent plea for him to back down.

  And for her, he would, even if he didn’t like it.

  “The police issued a warrant for the arrest of Bobby,” Ava said once they all stood inside the hotel room.

  Ben had to replay Ava’s words in his head, too focused on Daniel inside the room to think about much else. “Don’t move an inch.” He extended his arm in front of Daniel when Riley sat on the bed. If the guy thought he’d sit next to her, he was out of his damn mind.

  Aiden crossed the room to stand behind Ava once she retook her seat at the desk, and Ben remained a shield between the bed and the ex-boyfriend.

  “How do you know that?” Daniel asked.

  “Don’t worry about that.” Aiden kept his focus on the screen.

  “Guess that’s why the sheriff let me go—they were going to make an arrest,” Ben said.

  “Bobby’s print was a match,” Ava said. “And when they searched his car, they found a ten-inch scalpel. Maybe he got it from the hospital. No traces of blood on it, but clearly, they were confident enough to hold him on charges.”

  Daniel’s tense jaw relaxed, and he pressed his back against the wall near the door.

  Ben swept his attention from Daniel to Riley, trying to survey her mood and see how she was holding up.

  “You should go now.” Aiden shifted his focus to Daniel. “And that’s not a request.”

  Riley swallowed, but she kept her eyes cast down on the cheap, worn carpet.

  “Not without her. Nothing changes.” Daniel pushed off the wall.

  “The killer is caught. You don’t need to worry about me anymore.” Riley’s whispered words blew across Ben’s heated skin, and a slow curl of worry wrapped around his spine.

  Did she really believe the killer was Bobby? Of course, he had no intention of voicing his doubts with Daniel in the room.

  “I can’t leave you here. I don’t trust them.” A line etched between Daniel’s brows as his pupils constricted.

  “I’m okay.” She stood, trying to maintain her confidence, but Ben noticed the slight falter in her step as she passed him and advanced toward Daniel.

  He wanted to reach for her wrist as she passed, to stop her from going to him. But he didn’t control her, and if she needed to stand her own ground, he wouldn’t try to stop her.

  Daniel angled his head and focused on Riley. “Please, come with me.”

  “No, but I’ll call you.” She reached for his arm, and the simple gesture had Ben’s core clenching. “I promise.”

  “I’m worried about you.” A gruffness littered his words like trash distastefully chucked out the window of a speeding car.

  Ben didn’t believe Daniel. Not for one second. The only person Daniel was worried about was himself. His lies were as vivid as the sun casting a glow over the Vegas desert while it lowered from the sky.

  How could Riley not see that? All Ben could see was a killer when he looked into the man’s eyes.

  “I can take care of myself. Just go. Let’s see what happens with the police, and I’ll be in touch.” Riley’s voice remained steady as she spoke.

  “I’m calling you later. If you don’t answer, I’ll worry and come back.” Daniel lifted his chin and met Ben’s eyes again. “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

  Ben ignored Daniel’s words, anxious for him to get the hell out of there.

  “Sorry, but Daniel’s still a friend,” Riley said once he was gone and rubbed her swollen eyes.

  “What are you thinking?” Aiden asked Ben.

  Ben waited for Riley to sit back on the bed before he spoke. He didn’t want her knees buckling from the weight of the words that he’d deliver. “This feels like either a setup or shitty police work.”

  “What?” Riley’s eyes dampened.

  “The killer didn’t leave evidence at any of the other crime scenes,” Aiden said. “And now, the police find the murder weapon in his car? And a print at Beth’s house?”

  Ben sat next to Riley and brushed his knuckles over her cheek.

  “The killer has us all looking one way as a distraction,” Ben said, wishing he were wrong. “There’s no way in hell Bobby killed Beth yesterday,” Ben added. “And no, this isn’t me defending him because he was military.”

  Riley’s sweeping eyelashes lifted, and she focused on Ben. “Why can’t we let this be over?”

  Ben held her hand, interlocking their fingers together. “You’re a smart woman. You know as well as we do that this arrest doesn’t make sense.”

  “And there’s also something you guys need to hear.” Ava’s words hijacked Ben’s thoughts, and he shifted on the bed without dropping hold of Riley’s hand. “When you were at the station, I found something that might support the theory that Bobby isn’t the guy.”

  “What’d you find?” Ben’s heartbeat accelerated.

  “Remember when I hacked into Bobby’s computer? Well, something was bothering me about it, and so I went back in today.” Ava tapped at her keyboard. “When I looked this time, I found fragments of code that shouldn’t be there,” she explained. “Someone else hacked Bobby’s computer before I did. I missed it the first time. I’m sorry.”

  Riley pulled her hand free from Ben’s and stood. “I don’t want to hear this.”

  Ben hung his head, his stomach swelling with guilt. He didn’t want to put her through the ringer, but if Bobby wasn’t the guy, he couldn’t let an innocent man go to jail—or have a murderer on the loose.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie, but you need to hear it,” Ava said calmly, and when Ben looked back up, she was now standing before Riley.

  “What if you were never the fall guy?” Aiden interjected. “What if it was always Bobby, and you’re the person the killer really wants?” Aiden voiced Ben’s own thoughts.

  Riley’s jaw tightened and her eyes closed. “No.”

  Denial. He understood why she was clinging to the false hope of Bobby being the murderer. She’d lost a father figure and friends, and grief had settled hard inside of her, materializing into a fear so strong that it was roping her into this false reality—which was probably right where the killer wanted her.

  “Can
we have a minute?” Ben looked at Aiden and then to Ava.

  Aiden nodded, and once his friends were outside, he grabbed a bottle of water. Instead of drinking it, he held it between his palms and bowed his head.

  “Whatever you’re going to say, you should know I’m prepared to disagree with you.”

  He muddled through his thoughts and found her beautiful brown eyes. “Well, I wouldn’t expect anything different from you. You always loved to argue with me, if I remember.”

  “Ben. This isn’t the Middle East. This isn’t a case of misdirection.”

  “I know it’s not Iraq or Afghanistan. We’re not dealing with a terrorist, but we are dealing with a psychopath, and I strongly believe he’s still out there.”

  “And my heart is telling me that it’s over. And if you care about me, if you love—” She stopped talking as her eyes brimmed with liquid.

  In one swift movement, he pulled her into a crushing embrace, unable to stop himself.

  He’d hold her forever. He’d keep her safe, and he wouldn’t let go. Well, not until the real killer was found.

  And then, he’d either arrest the bastard himself or bury the motherfucker.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Ben rolled to his side and checked the text that had come in.

  “Is it important?” Riley asked.

  When he dropped to his back, there was a darkness in his eyes, changing the opaque blue orbs that had devoured her with a single stare only a moment prior.

  “What’s wrong?” She stiffened and started to sit up, but he tugged at her wrist and shook his head. “It’s not still about the case, is it?”

  Three days had passed since Bobby’s arrest.

  Three days of continuous messages from her ex had also rolled in. One thing both Daniel and Ben had in common seemed to be an obsession to continue to worry about her safety, despite the killer being locked up.

  Ava and Aiden were still in town, and even though Ben hadn’t revisited his theories about Bobby being the fall guy, Riley knew their continued presence meant he hadn’t given up on the idea.

  Riley had decided to take time off work to grieve. She wouldn’t be in the right state of mind to help others if she felt broken herself.