Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Hello 420

Chapter 420

+25 BONUS

I knew exactly what I had asked Steve to look into, but this wasn't the time I'd imagined getting an update. My head was spinning with everything that had just happened, but now this uneasiness crept in, making my eyelid twitch. "What did you find?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"The info you had wasn't the full story. There's a final conclusion you missed," Steve replied, sounding just as confused as I felt.

I took a slow breath. "Were you able to find it?"

"No," Steve said, and suddenly his tone got more serious. "The officer who handled the case died shortly after your dad's accident."

A cold shiver ran through me. "When?"

"One month after the investigation was closed."

For a second, I couldn't even breathe. Steve's voice cut through the panic buzzing in my head. "Rea... you there?"

I jumped in, my mind racing. "Do you think his death was connected to how my dad's accident was ruled?" "Tve thought about that," Steve admitted. "But officially, it's listed as sudden cardiac arrest. There's a hospital report and everything." His words left me hollow, like the air had been sucked out of the room.

his family, but they didn't know anything that would help," Steve

there's nothing left, right?"

Steve said, sounding defeated. "Unless the officer left something behind, but his family doesn't know of anything. And with his

to feel like the truth about my dad's accident was buried too deep-too many years had passed, and anyone who could help was either gone or

colleagues? Friends? Did you check with them?" I pushed, not ready to

finality in his voice that told me not to expect

eyes, feeling like a weight was pressing down on me, "So unless someone comes back from the

Steve said, trying to sound hopeful, but I could hear the doubt. "I'll keep reaching out to the

my parents never came Home. "No need, Steve. If they knew something, they'd have

those secrets were buried deep. And anyone who could tell me what really happened

+25 BONUS

"it's best to let the

believe in digging any further. He had helped me, but deep down, he didn't think it was worth pursuing

said quietly. "Thanks, Steve. I really

couldn't find more," Steve paused before adding, "Oh,

he meant the park opening or Hayden's

called for him in the background, and

before I typed out a quick message: