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Jeff’s partner answers on the second ring

“Why are you calling this number?”

“Jeff’s dead,” I respond i 911, but wanted to give you a heads up first”

“Sonofabitch,” he ?”

“I saw the the house, but no, I didn’t see theet the license plate number of the car It’s a dark SUV”

“That’s no help, Bryn” His voice is sad and frustrated Sully worked with Jeff for more than ten years

“I know, I’”

“I’ll call it in We will need an official statement You know the drill”

I nod and then realize he can’t seeIt’s hard to breathe

“I think I’ to leave town, Sul”

He sighs and clears his throat “Where are you going?”

“Home Seattle My family is there My cousin’s brother-in-law is a cop with Seattle PD Matt Montgoive my statement to him?”

“I’et your stateo without it” It sounds like he’s pulling his phone away from his face “Bryn, hold on”

I pace by the car as I wait for Sully to coo hos? I’ve wanted to move back to Seattle for years, but never dreamed it would be under these circumstances

Suddenly, Sully is back on the line

“I think it’s a good idea that you go, Bryn I can’t tell you who that was, but you were seen at Jeff’s house by the wrong people Take the girls and get out of town If you lay low, you should be fine, but I want you gone”

Fuck Jeff, what have you gotten me into?

“What about er than I feel

“I’ll et a state back to your place I’ll take care of your stuff in a few days”

I scrub irls watching me

“Okay, I have to get soirls” I rattle off the location of the nearest discount departh over the phone

“Be careful And text omery’s number”

“Okay”

The line goes dead as I hop back intome ide, scared eyes

Kids are so ive them credit for

I scramble in my purse for omerys’ will knohat to do

With shaking fingers I type: Plz call me when ur alone

I dig in ain to make sure I have my wallet and all my necessities, and realization hits that I definitely can’t to go back to our house to collect our things