Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Hello 420

Chapter 420

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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.

but they didn't know anything that would help," Steve added, and the chill

there's nothing left, right?"

it looks like," Steve said, sounding defeated. "Unless the officer left something behind, but

buried too deep-too many years had passed, and anyone who

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

finality in his voice

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

to sound hopeful, but I could hear the doubt. "I'll keep reaching out to the officer's family, see if

reminded me too much of the night my parents never came Home. "No need, Steve. If they knew something, they'd

the truth hidden did a good job. After ten years, those secrets were buried deep. And anyone who could tell me what really happened was either

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gently, "it's best to let

had helped me, but

said quietly. "Thanks,

find more," Steve paused before adding, "Oh, and

the park opening

the background, and after

sat there, my thoughts spinning, before I typed out a quick message: [Steve,