It was Cedric Sawyer, the police officer.


    We’d set up a meeting before, and now he was calling, probably to arrange it.


    I used to feel this rush of excitement at the idea of finally finding out the truth about my parents‘


    ident. But somewhere along the way, that excitement turned into a weird, uneasy feeling–like


    that nervous flutter you geting back home after a long time away.


    I nced at Jace, who immediately stepped back, catching on. I walked a few steps away before


    answering. “Officer Sawyer.”


    “Are you free to meet right now?”


    I looked around at the heavy rain pouring down. Definitely not the best day for a meeting. But since


    he’d picked today, it had to be important. I took a steadying breath. “Alright. Where?”


    As I got ready to leave, Lindey’s disappointed face tugged at me–she’d just made gnhi, and I


    hadn’t even tasted it yet.


    “Come back soon, and I’ll make it for you again,” she said, trying to sound cheerful.


    I promised her and drove out of the Johnston residence into the rain.


    Jace had asked who was so important that I had to leave right then, but I just told him it was


    someone I


    needed to meet.


    Cedric had chosen my parents‘ cemetery. Thinking of the flowers I’d sometimes seen left at their


    graves, had a feeling I knew why he’d picked this spot.


    Through the sheets of rain, I finally saw him, standing by their headstone with a ck umbre. The


    closer I got, the more my stomach twisted.


    I stopped on the steps beside him, but with the umbre shading his face, I still couldn’t see him


    clearly.


    “Officer Sawyer?” I called out.


    He shifted his umbre just enough for his face toe into view, and I froze–it really was him.


    “Hello, Keira,” he greeted me.


    shes of ourst encounter came rushing back, back when he’d handed me my parents‘ death


    reports. Now I understood why he’d asked for my phone number that day.


    “You’ve probablye to visit my parents a lot over the years, haven’t you?” I nced at the fresh


    flowers resting by their graves.


    “A few times.” He had that serious, no–nonsense look about him, like he’d been carved from stone.


    But knowing he’d quietly visited them all this time–holding onto this small, hidden warmth–stirred


    something deep in me. “Thank you.”


    “No need for thanks. I visit them because of a debt, not affection.” His words sent a chill through


    me.


    I knew that “debt” likely had something to do with their ident.


    I waited, expecting him to go on, but he just stared at their photos on the headstone.


    All around us, the rain fell steady and endless.


    “Officer Sawyer,” I finally broke the silence, unable to hold back.


    “You’ve been living with a family friend of theirs all these years, haven’t you?” His question


    confirmed he’d done his homework.


    “Yes, with Matthew Johnston of RiverwaveCorp,” I replied, watching him, wondering why the


    Johnstons were on his mind.


    After all, I’d wrestled with my own doubts about Matthew before.


    “They’ve treated you well?”


    “Yes,” I said honestly. “Like their own daughter.”


    Cedric nodded. “If your parents‘ spirits are watching over you, I think they’d feel at peace, knowing


    you’ve been in good hands.”


    His words sharpened my unease. “Are you saying this has something to do with my parents‘


    ident?”


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    He looked directly at me. “You’re pretty perceptive.”


    I pressed my lips together, waiting.


    “Listen, there’s something I need to say before I hand you the investigation report.” Standing so


    close, tall and solid, Cedric almost seemed… fatherly.


    Maybe I was just craving that kind of presence.


    “Go ahead,” I replied.