CHAPTER 12: Don't look back.

MEREDITH:

“Please, give me more time. I know that I'm late for the payments, but I promise that I'll clear half of it by the end of the month,” I lied. End of the month? That would only happen by a miracle. I couldn't let him know that. Couldn't let him drop the case because it would be wasted energy and abandoning my brother. I deserved to know what happened to him. To get answers. Whatever it took, I was willing to do.

His voice was subtle, although I could hear the strain of him trying to control lashing out. “Miss Tate, I wish things worked like that. I would've been more than happy to help you. But, they don't. I need to facilitate the team and, considering that it's a very private investigation, that's why it's harder. I'm sorry.”

My heart ruptured into a billion pieces. Who would I go to? How was I going to turn back now and let go? “How about you give me an extra week? If I don't get back to you, then you can drop the case.”

The phone went silent for a while before his voic