Chapter 5 - The Architect of Lies
The quiet of the study was shattered by the sharp vibration of Lauren’s phone on the wooden desk.
Trevor’s name lit up the screen.
Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. Axel stood at her hip, leaning his mass against her leg, offering an anchor in the sudden darkness.
Lauren pressed answer, forcing her voice to stay level. "Hello?"
"Lauren," Trevor’s voice came through, warm and measured, yet underlying it was a razor-thin edge of strain. "Where are you? Your aunt said you left the church. I’m really worried about you, honey. You’re overwhelmed."
"I... I just needed to come home for a minute, Trevor," she said, looking down at the black notebook. "To get some air."
"I understand," Trevor said smoothly. "I'm actually pulling up into the driveway right now. I brought some tea. Let’s sit on the porch and talk about postponing the reception until you feel better."
Lauren’s eyes widened. She glanced toward the front window. Outside, through the bare trees, Trevor’s dark sedan pulled up to the curb. He got out, but he wasn't carrying tea. In his right hand, he held a heavy steel crowbar wrapped in a rag.
"Trevor," Lauren said into the phone, stepping back from the window into the shadows of the hallway. "Did you ever really care about me?"
May you like
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. The heavy thud of Trevor's boots hit the wooden porch steps outside.
Through the receiver, his voice shifted. The gentle, caring tone vanished completely, replaced by a cold, flat cadence. "Your dad was too smart for his own good, Lauren. He should have stayed retired. And you... you should have just stayed a librarian and let me find what he took from me."
