When nothing goes right, turn left

Beneath the Surface

"Are you sure about this?" Alex asked as they stepped into the alley behind the old bookstore.

Veronica tightened her grip on the folded notes in her pocket. "Not even a little."

Alex smirked, but his expression stayed sharp, eyes scanning the street for movement.

"The guy we need is Cage," he murmured. "He deals in information, not charity. If he gives us something, he's gonna expect something back."

Veronica exhaled. "Then let's make it worth his time."

The door creaked open before they even knocked.

Cage was waiting.

Tall, lean, his features half-shadowed in the dim light of the back room. He didn't ask what they wanted—he already knew they weren't here for anything good.

"You're asking about a dead man," Cage said, voice flat. "Not the smartest move."

Veronica swallowed. "Smith wasn't just a victim. He was connected to this town—years ago."

Cage studied her, then flicked his gaze to Alex.

"You trust her with this?"

Alex didn't hesitate. "Wouldn't be here otherwise."

Cage exhaled slowly, then gestured toward the back table.

"If you want answers, you're gonna pay for them."

Veronica's pulse quickened.

This was going to cost her.

Cage leaned back in his chair, eyes flicking between Veronica and Alex like he was weighing whether they were worth the risk.

Then—he sighed.

"Smith wasn't just connected to this town," Cage muttered. "He was protecting something. Or someone."

Veronica's stomach tightened. "Who?"

Cage hesitated, like the answer itself was dangerous. "A girl."

Her pulse skipped. "A girl?"

"Yeah." Cage glanced at Alex briefly, then back to Veronica. "Not just any girl. You."

The air shifted.

Veronica couldn't breathe.

"Me?" she whispered.

"Smith wasn't just investigating you—he was keeping you out of something. A mess that existed before you ever stepped foot in this town. And now?" Cage exhaled. "Now, you're in it."

Alex was already shaking his head. "Why would Smith be protecting her? She didn't even know him."

Cage smirked slightly. "Doesn't mean he didn't know you."

Veronica's world tilted.

Smith had been searching for someone. Looking for William. Digging into her past before she even knew it existed.

And now—he was dead.

Because of what he knew?

Because of her?

And for the first time, Veronica realized—she wasn't just uncovering a murder.

She was unraveling her own history.