Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Silverridge Cemetery sat quietly by the mountain and river.
At this hour, the cemetery was silent. Only the warm sunlight streamed through the green pine branches, like soft hands. resting gently on rows of headstones.
Nina walked calmly along the long stone path and stopped in front of a grave. There was no photo, no name on the headstone.
“I’m sorry. Even now, all I know is your name was Joyce Hirsch,” she said.
She placed a bunch of carnations on the grave and glanced down at the sapphire ring hanging from her wrist. Her eyes dimmed. “I still haven’t found the person you wanted me to give this to.”
Clusia’s security system was famously strong.
And the country’s protection over its fallen anti-drug heroes was almost airtight. Even if someone died in service, they couldn’t be praised publicly, to keep their families safe from revenge. All related files were sealed under multiple layers of encryption.
Nina had tried many times to break into Clusia’s narcotics division files, but always got blocked at the last moment.
“I’ll keep trying,” she whispered, brushing the dust off the nameless grave. Then she smiled a little. “But if I really can’t go on, I’ll just have to bring the ring back to you.”
She had only asked Evan for one period off, so she didn’t stay long.
The cemetery returned to its usual stillness, as if no one had ever visited. But the air still carried a faint scent of carnations.
Just then, Timothy was slowly walking up the same path, holding a bouquet of lilies. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
Suddenly, he caught a whiff of fresh flowers. He looked up instinctively and spotted the carnations swaying gently in front of the nameless grave. Surprise flashed across his face.
Behind him, Quinn, looking unusually serious, froze. “Someone was just here?”
Timothy frowned and walked faster.
Quinn quickly glanced around and stopped a passing security guard. “Mister, do you know who came by just now?”
“Oh, a young lady. Tall and slim. Pretty too,” the guard said. It had been quiet all morning, so he remembered clearly.
“Thanks,” Quinn said. Then he looked at Timothy, his expression a bit complicated. “Timothy, could it have been her?”
But Timothy didn’t reply. He just set the lilies down and quietly lit a cigarette. Pale smoke curled around his fingers, then floated in front of his face, soft as a veil, hiding his expression.
After a long silence, Quinn finally heard his raspy voice. “I need a minute.
Quinn nodded and sighed, then turned and walked away.
Timothy had once been the most carefree of Jasper’s four richest kids. But the accident four years ago took his sister Joyce- and changed him forever.
1/2
Chapter 25
Death was terrifying. It had taken away the person he loved most. It took all his bright days, fast cars, and charm, and left him only with cold, loneliness, and a wound that would never heal.
Nina got back to class just as the second-period break began.
“Hey, new girl, where’d you go?” Brian grinned, walking over with a pack of gum in his hand. “Want one?”
“No thanks,” Nina replied calmly, dodging the first question. Then she started writing her name in each of the textbooks she had just picked up. Her handwriting was loose and airy, but sharp at the same time.
Brian glanced at it and let out a loud gasp. “Whoa, your handwriting is amazing! Seriously cool.”
Even Grace, who was still reading her novel, looked up. “Wow.”
Other students quickly gathered around.
