My heart’s in my throat as I race down the halls of the school, searching for Violet.

I can’t believe Candi’s dead.

I can’t believe she was murdered.

I find Violet by her locker talking to Big Mike, a notorious school player. I want to warn her he’s bad news, but it’s really none of my business. Plus, there are way more pressing issues at hand.

“Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” I flick my gaze to Big Mike, who looks thoroughly annoyed I’m interrupting their conversation. “Alone.”

Violet’s eyes widen in surprise when she sees me. We rarely speak during school because, well…neither of us like talking to people, so we stick to ourselves.

Turning to Big Mike, she clears her throat. Reluctantly he takes the hint, but not before telling her, “I’ll see you later.”

The second he leaves, she looks at me. “What’s up?”

Taking her hand, I lead her to the nearest restroom. After we’re inside, I check all the stalls to make sure it’s empty and no one can overhear us.

“Okay, you’re kind of starting to freak me out. What’s going on?”

“Did you hear about the body found at Devil’s Bluff?”

She nods. “Yeah, someone stumbled on it while walking their dog. I know it’s scary, but try not to freak—”

“It was Candi Kane.”

I can tell this is news to her because her eyebrows shoot up to the ceiling and she blows out a heavy breath. “Shit.”

Shit is right.

“I know.” I rub my temples as I recall the rest of the article. “Apparently, her father is a renowned heart surgeon.” My heart clenches. “And her real name was Sheri.”

“That’s…damn. I never would have guessed.”

That makes two of us. Typically, people don’t become strippers when they have a stellar home life and rich parents.

Then again, I have no idea how her home life was. Maybe we were more alike than I thought.

But I’ll never know…because she’s dead.

Violet frowns. “As sad as it is, there’s really nothing we can do about it. We have no clue what Candi was into when she wasn’t at work. For all we know, she could have been involved with the wrong crowd.” Reaching over, she gives my shoulder a squeeze. “We’re late for class, though. I’ll see you at work later, okay?”

“Yeah.”

She’s almost to the door when the bad feeling brewing in my gut grows. “Violet?”

“Yeah?”

“Just…stay safe.”

She gives me a warm smile. “Everything will be fine, Aspen. Sometimes bad shit happens. I’m sure the police will figure out who did it and lock them up soon.”

Yeah, she’s probably right.

But just to make sure, I know exactly who I can ask.

If given the choice between being bit by a thousand fire ants while lying on a bed of hot coals or striking up a conversation with my stepfather, I’d happily choose the former.

Unfortunately, I don’t really have a choice but to involve him. I want to make sure Candi gets the justice she deserves. And since Trent had no problem swooping in to help with the investigation regarding the death of my father, he should have no problem lending a hand with the death of Candi.

Getting to the bottom of this is so important to me, I end up calling into work just so I can talk to him.

I find Trent typing something on the computer in his office later that night.

Swallowing my pride, I knock on the door.

Surprise crosses his features when he sees me. “Aspen, come in.”

“Remember how you said I could come to you if I had a problem?”

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Christ. What did my piece of shit son do now?”

“Nothing,” I quickly say. “This isn’t about Knox. This is about Ca—” I catch myself and clear my throat. “Catching a murderer. There was a woman’s body found at Devil’s Bluff yesterday.”

“I’m aware.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “Evidently, the victim’s father is a big wig with connections and he insisted the FBI be brought in.” Leaning back in his chair, he rolls his eyes. “Waste of time if you ask me.”

I raise a brow. “Why do you say that?”

He exhales sharply. “Because the victim was a stripper at a classy joint across town called The Bashful Beaver.”

I try my best to keep my expression neutral. “Oh.” Confused, I rub my forehead. “Why would that be a waste of time?”

It’s clear by his expression that he isn’t enjoying my line of questioning.

“Well,” he drawls slowly, like I’m an infant who can’t comprehend anything. “In my experience, girls like that reap what they sow. Most of the time they’re involved in prostitution and drugs. It’s no wonder most of them end up dead. Not to mention, it’s a complete waste of tax dollars and resources to run around trying to track down the pimp, dealer, or john who offed them.”

His harsh words cut like a knife.

That might be his experience, but it’s not mine. Most of my colleagues are trying to put themselves through school or put food on the table for their kids.

Plus, whether or not she was a stripper should have no bearing on conducting an investigation.

“But she was murdered,” I whisper, my chest caving in. “Right here in Black Mountain. Doesn’t that—”

“Aspen,” he interjects, concern crossing his features. “You have nothing to worry about. Your father is an FBI agent who sleeps with a loaded gun next to his bed every night. I’d never let anyone hurt you. You’re safe here.”

“Stepfather,” I correct, bile working up my throat. “And it’s hard to believe I’m safe now when the people who should be taking murders seriously aren’t.”

With that, I turn on my heel, so infuriated I could scream.

I pace the floors of my bedroom. I need to do something.

Part of me wants to call Leo and convince him to talk some sense into his brother, but I know he’ll only have a bunch of questions for me.

Questions I can’t answer without outing myself.

I stop pacing when another thought occurs to me.

There is someone who knows my secret. Knox and his father might not get along, but maybe if Knox speaks to him, Trent’ll have a change of heart.