Page 49 of Forever Golden
“I think I might know who’s involved,” I confess.
Dead silence again. This time I’m pretty sure it’s because of the bold claim I’ve just made.
“I’m listening.”
“Something happened to me last week. I was confronted by someone and he alluded to having the means to make me and my sister disappear.”
“Those are some pretty serious allegations,” he says, concern heavy in his tone. “Have you spoken to your parents about this incident? Made a police report?”
If only it were that easy.
“My parents aren’t exactly available at the moment, and I didn’t go to the police because, honestly, I’m not sure who I can trust. Which is why I calledyouafter seeing you on TV. I know it’s been a while and all, but—”
“Hang on just a sec,” he cuts in before the line goes quiet. Then, maybe half a minute later, he’s back. “I needed to get someplace with a bit more privacy,” he explains. “Now, mind telling me who it was that threatened you? I can swing by his place, maybe bring him down to the station for questioning, but you’d need to file a report before I can take action.”
“I can’t do that.”
The words leave my mouth with force, but I have good reason. Like, keeping a low profile so Vin doesn’t see cause to retaliate.
“For now, I’d just like to tell you what I know, so you can see if any of it fits with whatyouknow, and maybe it’ll help you, and… maybe you can helpme.”
“Do you feel safe?” he asks.
I’m grateful for not being face-to-face with him, because he’d know what I’m about to say is a complete lie.
“Yes.”
“Then why’d you mention needing help?” he wants to know.
“I guess that came out wrong. Mostly, I’m only calling because it felt wrong not sharing what I know if it could make a difference in your case.”
He breathes into the phone, probably not buying any of that. “Ok, tell me. Who threatened you?”
“My boyfriend’s father,” I confess, building up the nerve to add, “Vin Golden.”
A cynical laugh leaves Roby. “Of course it is.”
My brow tenses, hearing his reaction. “Is something wrong?”
He sighs into the phone. “Vin Golden’s what we refer to as an‘untouchable’.One of those who has his hands in so many facets of the city,ownsso much of the city, the guy’s basically insulated by his power.”
He stops there and I’m not sure if this changes things. Maybe it means he doesn’t believe me, or that he’s no longer interested in pursuing this thing if Vin’s who he’ll be up against.
“Tell me exactly what he said to you,” Roby suggests.
I breathe deep, hoping to God I didn’t make a mistake here. “Well, he came to my house, asked me to get into his SUV to talk—which I’m sure you saw when Pandora shared. But before the conversation ended, he said that if I didn’t distance myself from his son within the next two months, he’d get Scar taken away from me. Then, he’d make me disappear, too.”
“He specifically said two months?”
“Yes,” I answer.
“And Pandora posted about this incident?”
“She did,” I confirm, nodding as though we’re sitting in the same room together.
“I’ve got a member of our task force assigned to monitoring Pandora, but only for specific activity. He never mentioned this, which means he likely assumed your situation was more of the usual, useless drivel she posts. I suppose we should be looking a bit more closely,” he concludes, which I don’t disagree with. Especially seeing as how Pandora seems to be engaged in an intense war with whoever’s trying to out her.
“Probably a good idea. I resisted downloading the app for years, but at the very least, it helps to give a heads up when everything’s going to shit,” I say with a humorless laugh.