Page 129 of The Monster I Am
Ry stands, walking over. “What is it?”
“He was diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder,” I read. “They were trialing different medications but had to stop when he did jail time.”
H’s eyes darken. “What was the crime?”
I pull up another system, not needing any hacking skills this time. I use Dad’s credentials to log into the legal database, searching his name.
I’m not sure why I didn’t get around to checking this before. But I should have. Especially when his record appears immediately.
“Long list of minor stuff,” I mutter, scanning through the documents. “Theft, simple battery, vandalism in his juvenile era. Wait.” Scrolling further, I frown, skimming over the adult charges from recent years. “Looks like his behavior progressively got worse as he got older. Aggravated assault, drug possession…fuck!”
Ry glances at the screen over my shoulder, letting out an angry rumble. “The fucker was arrested and did time for arson.”
“Surely you don’t think it’s connected?” Hunter murmurs unconvincingly. “We’d already have him on our radar if there was even a trace of him being involved with Willowbrook or Cedar Heights.”
“I don’t believe in coincidences anymore,” Ry admits darkly.
Parker huffs. “And so you shouldn’t. I’m in.”
All of us go rigid, looking over at the man sitting on the edge of my bed.
“What’s in the files?” Hunter demands impatiently.
Parker’s gaze flickers up to Hunter. “Plans to demolish Cedar Heights Academy.”
“Well,” I drawl uneasily. “Devil’s advocate to cover our bases—but that could be simply from the damage.”
I don’t believe my own words. Not for a second. And when Parker turns to me, there’s a sickening feeling in the pits of my stomach at the expression on his face.
“There’s insurance documents here,” he answers simply. “And extensive coverage detailing the financial benefits to demolishing via insurance rather than self-funded means.”
Rylan stands, pacing aggressively. “I fucking knew it. I knew those assholes were involved,” he spits out, shaking his head as he shoots a look in mine and H’s directions. “We need to tie them to this. Is there any direct mention of our fathers’ names?” He asks Parker.
Parker’s brows knit together as his eyes scan the screen. “Not specifically. Though, your father is the mayor, right?”
Ry nods coldly. “What’s in there?”
“State funding,” Parker replies firmly. “The documents are addressed to the mayoral office in Ridgeview.”
Of course it is. That would explain the damn tunnel leading there from Cedar Heights.
A sudden chilling thought pops into my mind and I begin typing. As much as I want information, I’m hoping that my instincts are wrong.
Theyneedto be wrong.
Because if they aren’t…
“Where’s your head at, T?” Ry asks me, concerned.
“Checking who this asshole’s last attorney was,” I reply, pulling up the arson charge.
The information opens and I stare blankly at the screen.
Everyone waits with trepidation, tension growing at my silence.
Hunter stands, heading over to my desk. “Is it George?”
“No,” I answer emotionlessly, and the three of them start to relax. Hunter catches on to my reaction first, swallowing hard.
