Chapter 61

Nicholas

On Monday morning around 11, I stood in front of my office, hands inside my pants pocket, as I looked at the sky. Something about how dark the clouds were brought about dread inside me. It was almost as if they were predicting something bad to happen. I wasn't much of a believer when it came to nature signs, but in that particular moment, I could feel my heart beat accelerate.

I barely heard the door being opened as Allan walked in and silently stood beside me. For a few minutes, he uttered no word, and that is how I knew something was wrong somewhere. He always started conversations when it came to us, and whenever he had little to say, I knew it indicated a problem somewhere.

"I take it you sent someone to Sander's residence?" I broke the silence without turning to look at him. My muscles were tense beneath my button-up shirt, and they only got worse when he delayed answering me.

He cleared his throat first, then answered, "she was