The Bound Between Us

Chapter 801

Sean recognized the shards of glass right away. He knew exactly what had been inside.

He wrapped the piece in a napkin, lifted it to his nose, and sniffed carefully. Just as he suspected: cyanide.

Sandy Morton had tried to poison Herman Salstrom. She wanted him dead. But really, would it have made a difference? To the world, Herman was already gone —either as good as dead or trapped in his own body, unable to speak. Even knowing the truth wouldn't change that.

Now, Herman had simply disappeared without a sound. No one even noticed.

Sean broke out in a cold sweat. A voice echoed in his mind: Herman can't die. If he does, Sandy will be charged with murder.

Whether or not anyone ever broke this secret open, it was a ticking time bomb. Panic surging, Sean raced out the door...

***

Jason and his partner, Hank, had spent the whole night canvassing every hotel within a two-mile radius. Only one was left-the Super 8.

Anastasia Jewell had just returned from Willowbrook, but instead of going home, she met up with Jason. Now the three of them stood together on Blossom Lane, right in the middle of Night Market Street. None of them had slept a wink.

But Anastasia didn't look tired at all. She was running on pure adrenaline, focused and determined. All she wanted was to find Herman.

Jason said, "Anastasia, let's check the Super 8. If we don't find anything, we should all get some rest. We've been at this all night."

"Let's go now," Anastasia replied immediately.

Truthfully, she only heard the first part. Rest? Not a chance. As long as there was even the tiniest clue about Herman, there was no way she could go home and wait. Maybe he was out there, looking for her too. She couldn't let him wait alone.

into the Super 8. Jason flashed his badge at the receptionist. "Police. We need to check your

and called for the

up the guest list from the past few days.

up, Anastasia scrolled through the records herself, checking even earlier

the name George.

not be

felt like losing her entire

tried to reassure her. "Anastasia, don't worry. If he's still in Riverdale,

could post a missing person alert online, get everyone in town to help out. But if Herman came

he doesn't want

he's hiding,

day and still come up

words sparked an

buy ever

billboard in town,"

said. "I'll put

he'll know I'mdooking for him. He'll come

a haystack

up every LED ad in Riverdale

the hour, the city's biggest billboards all carried her

money

mall screens—even the

short video, her voice low and sincere: "Honey, I'm still waiting for you to come home.