11-24 E
Chapter 288
I climbed into the squad car, giving Eric a nod to signal I was alright. My mind, though, was preoccupied with Colln.
“Take this for DNA comparison with Phoebe, I overheard Finn instructing another officer to test the handkerchief he’d used to wipe my
face.
He suspected… that I wasn’t Foebe but Phoebe.
Too bad, he couldn’t fathom the idea of a soul reborn. This body was, without a doubt, Foebe’s.
“No way, Phoebe is dead for sure. Her body was displayed in a glass case, shocking the whole of Sea City,” one cop expressed his confusion.
“I suspect a switcheroo, a bait–and–switch,” Finn sneered. “Dig deeper, and don’t underestimate the lengths to which some lunatics will go…”
Finn got into the car and sat beside me.
I glanced at him but kept silent.
“Heard the nutjob was committed to the mental institution, right? Good place for him; lunatics belong in the loony bin, Finn was a little too chatty.
I clenched my fists and spoke up. “Where should you be going then? To a beauty parlor? Considering how much you value your looks, if someone messed up your face again… wouldn’t you just jump off a roof?”
Finn’s eye twitched with irritation. “Hah…”
He let out a laugh, then casually added, “Caleb really has a collector’s obsession, huh? Likes the Phoebe type. I guess… it takes a nutcase to attract another nutcase. Birds of a feather.”
“Indeed, we are birds of a feather, and you’re the odd one out, hardly human.”
“Sharp–tongued, Finn gritted his teeth.
Outside the car window.
Dexter was still negotiating with the police.
“She acted in self–defense. Sure, she went a bit overboard… but she was threatened.“.
I scoffed. Was he speaking up for me or making things worse?
As the police car drove me away, Dexter’s gaze followed me with complexity.
It was as if he saw me as a born troublemaker, his expression a mix of regret and concern. Regretting, perhaps, why I had to be so bad.
“Phoebe… don’t worry, I’ll get you out of this,” Dexter tried to reassure me.
“Better watch over your lifesaver. Wouldn’t want her to get whacked by a murderer,” I gestured across my
Dexter stood frozen, watching as I was taken away.
Melody clung to Dexter’s arm, terrified. “Dexter, she’s so scary…”
neck.
“People say after spending a lot of time together, they start to resemble each other,” Finn remarked, looking at me. “You and Caleb are quite alike.”
“Would you tell me about Caleb and Phoebe?” I wanted to know.
And Finn, despite his sharp tongue, was at least objective. He didn’t stoop to lies.
“Caleb and Phoebe?” Finn chuckled. “A match made in heaven or hell–what’s there to tell?”
Despite his scornful tone, he seemed eager to dish.
“Caleb was always aloof, even as a kid. In school, he was my deskmate. I’d ask him a question, and he’d barely acknowledge me!”
I took a deep breath. I wanted to hear about Caleb and Phoebe, not his personal grievances with Caleb.
Finn rambled the whole ride, mostly about his love–hate relationship with Caleb, without touching on anything substantive.
The squad car pulled up in the precinct yard, and before Finn could step out, his phone rang.
“Trouble! There’s been another murder on Tangle Lane! A male body! Time of death no more than two hours ago.”
Finn’s expression turned grim.
After Dorian’s case went cold, there hadn’t been another murder for a while. The higher–ups were even considering closing the Serial
1/2
