No matter the fucking cost.

I’ve been working around the clock, analyzing every piece of evidence, and interviewing everyone and anyone who saw Liv that day. The last people to speak to her, before the attack, were the school faculty. When I found out she was let go before she left that day, it only served to feed the fury that’s been simmering in my gut since finding her. It’s complete bullshit, all of it¸ and I didn’t hold back voicing it to the principal. You could tell she felt guilty, especially after what happened to Liv, and rightfully so. What they did was wrong. They didn’t let her go for her safety like they claim, and we all fucking know it.

The injustice of everything that’s been done to Liv has me working harder to make it right for her, but after all of my searching I’m still no closer to catching who did this than I was a few days ago.

Our immediate suspicion was someone in Jamal’s family or a close friend, considering it was an attack on his behalf. I hated to think any of his brothers could have done this, especially since I went to school with Darius and know he’s a decent guy, but we had to check out everyone. Turns out they all have fucking alibis, including Reggie West, the cousin.

No DNA evidence was found from the rape kit done on Liv, meaning whoever did it was careful, but maybe not careful enough. A gold chain was recovered at the crime scene. We’re praying it will have the DNA evidence and answers we’re looking for, or at least point us in the right fucking direction. If only I could figure out who the hell that caller was, then we would have all the answers we need. After checking the phone records we discovered the call had come from a prepaid cell phone. No surprise there. Whoever made that call clearly doesn’t want to be found.

“You’re still here. I thought your shift ended an hour ago,” Terrell says, pulling me from my morbid thoughts as he walks into my office and takes the chair across from me.

“I’m not doing any good just sitting at home, so thought I’d go over all the witness statements, hoping something will stick out to me.”

“You’ve been over them a thousand times, man, we all have. You need a break to clear your head.”

A break is not possible, not until I find out who did this.

Instead of arguing with him about it, I change the subject. “Have you been to see her since she’s been home?” Ever since I left Liv at the hospital a week ago, I’ve wanted to check on her, to see her again, but I didn’t want to intrude. She’s been through a lot, and I want to give her and Walter time to deal with it. But, Jesus, I’m not sure how much longer I can stay away. I have this uncontrollable urge to be around her constantly to make sure nothing like this ever happens to her again.

Terrell cocks back in the chair, his elbow propped up on the armrest. “Yeah, I’ve been to see her a few times, and Tania has been keeping me updated.”

I nod.

I’m glad to know she’s surrounded by people who care about her. With a heavy breath my shoulders sag, as I try to sort through all the conflicted emotions storming inside of me.

“It’s eating at you, isn’t it?”

My eyes meet his dark brown ones. “What?”

“Seeing her like that, finding her the way you did. It’s fucking with your head.” He takes my silence as confirmation. “Listen, I understand. Just seeing her in the hospital fucked with me, I can’t imagine what it would have done to me if I found her like that. But she’s tough, Taylor. Always has been. She might not look like much but she can be fierce. I’ve known that girl most of her life, she’ll come out of this stronger. Ain’t no doubt about it.” He shifts in his seat. “You should go see her. She’s looking better every day.”

“I want to, but I was waiting for her to get settled first.”

He opens his mouth to reply but gets cut off by Dixon. “Johnson,” he barks, entering the room. “I need you to head on over to the north side of town. Bunch of kids jumped a black boy at the high school today. Dispatch has the info. The entire neighborhood is on a rampage, screaming hate crime.” He pulls a cigarette from the pocket of his shirt, shaking his head. “Bullshit,” he mutters to himself, patting his pockets for a lighter even though he can’t smoke in here.

“Considering what’s been going on since Olivia it’s a good possibility,” Terrell replies.

He’s right.

Ever since word got out about Liv there has been an increased hostility among people around here, more than there already was. Accusations are being thrown around, fingers pointed, vandalism. Hell, some motherfucker even spray-painted the town hall with, ‘black lives matter’. That stunt made my goddamn blood boil.

Yeah, they matter.

Every fucking life matters, regardless of skin color. Right when I thought shit couldn’t get any worse we got a call last night about a cross being burned on Mayor Clarence Rodgers’s lawn.

A fucking cross.

I couldn’t believe it, I still can’t. All of this shit is being made about race when it should be about right and wrong, and it only seems to be escalating since Liv.

Sheriff points his finger, giving Terrell a stern look. “Now don’t you go fuelin’ the fire. The reason I’m sendin’ you in the first place is to smooth this shit out. The whole goddamn town is on edge as it is. We don’t need anything else to add to it, ya hear?”

With a silent nod, Terrell stands and walks out of the room, tossing a wave over his shoulder.

“Later, Johnson,” I say, as Dixon motions for me to follow him out back so he can light up.

“You should quit that shit,” I tell him.

He grunts. “Cheryl tells me that all the time. But hell, I’ve been doin’ it for so long now I’m pretty sure the damage is already done.” He takes a long pull and exhales loudly before turning his attention to me. “How’ve you been doin’, boy, you okay? You’ve been pullin’ some crazy hours—crazier than usual,” he adds.

“Yeah, I’m good.” He watches me; aware I’m full of shit. He’s known me way too long. He’s always been like a second father to me and he really stepped up that role when my dad died a few years ago. “I’m trying to do everything I can to find out who did this.” I rub the back of my neck. “I…I can’t stop, Willie. Not until I nail the bastard.”

Silence stretches between us before he gives me a nod. “You remind me so much of your ol’ man, he had the same fire in his belly. Truth and justice. He lived by those words. I sure do miss his stubborn ass.”

“Me, too,” I admit quietly, a familiar ache in my chest surfacing whenever I think about him. He was my hero. All I ever wanted was to be just like him. He lived his life to protect and serve. My mother worried and agonized every day when he left for work, but in the end it was a car wreck that claimed his life.

“Look, I wanna catch whoever did this just as bad as you do, and we will. But you need a break. I want you to take the weekend off.” I shake my head, but he holds up his hand to ward off my protest. “You need rest, Grayson, so you can have a clear head. You’ve done all you can for right now. Not much we can do until we get the results back on the chain, which should be back any day now. I promise if anything comes up I’ll call ya, otherwise, I don’t wanna see your ass back here until Monday. Got it?”

“Yeah, got it.” I concede with a grumble, knowing I don’t have a choice.

He claps me on the shoulder. “We’ll catch the bastards who did this to Miss Olivia. One way or another justice will prevail, son. I promise you that.”

Before I can think too much about that comment he walks inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I slump back against the building behind me.

What the hell am I going to do all fucking weekend?

As soon as the thought emerges only one thing comes to mind, or rather, someone.

*

After grabbing a bite to eat and stopping at the local bookstore, Beneath The Covers, I head out to the farm well after the sun has set. I wanted to bring her something, and after our conversation on the way to the cemetery, I thought this would be the perfect gift. I just hope like hell she likes it.