Chapter 4

“I didn’t,” says Tim quietly. He finally figured it out. His father’s eyes pierce into him and Tim looks away, putting the handset back over the hook, grabs his bag, and rises to his feet. He nearly jumps out of his skin when his father slams at the glass window. He can’t hear, but Paul is calling out his name. Tim ignores him. He has to get away from this place. He feels suffocated in here.

Tim glances back as he leaves the place, double takes, and freezes for a second. He might be mistaking, but he swears he saw something in the guard’s stare. Almost like he has some hidden agenda. Tim suppresses a shudder and hurries outside.

* * * *

The first thing Tim sees as he gets to the parking lot, is a tall figure standing next to a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle. Tim belatedly recognizes Detective Sullivan as his mind does a somersault over the fact that—since when do detectives ride a muscle car? Tim dreams of owning one. His daydream falls aas soon as the man start speaking.