Liam's POVI felt a bit better right away—and a little hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, we had someone on the inside. I answered quickly.“Locke.” said the rough voice. No hello, just straight to business. “I got your card. I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier.”“Deputy.” I said, trying to stay calm, “thanks for calling me back.”“Don’t get excited. I’m not promising anything. But I’ll listen. You said you had something on Blackwood. It better be good. I’m already taking a risk just talking to you.”“It is good. I can prove Blackwood has been breaking the law for years.”“Alright, then. But not over the phone. I don’t want anyone listening in. Meet me at the old gas station on Highway 12, just past the county line. In fifteen minutes. And come alone.”“Fifteen minutes. I’ll be there.” I hung up. My heart was racing. This could be the chance we needed.Hans and Sarah were watching me. “That was Locke.” I said. “He wants to meet. He’s willing to listen.”Hans raised an eyebrow. “Lo

Liam's POV“Did we get him?” I asked, my voice weak and scratchy. My chest hurt badly from where the bullets had hit my vest.A shadow moved over me. “Take it easy, Liam.” said a deep voice I knew—it was Hans. He knelt beside me, looking serious. “You got hit pretty hard.”I tried to sit up, but I felt sick and dizzy. “Eddie… is he… okay?”Hans looked at Bob, who was standing close. “He’s okay, Liam. Locke got him. He’s shaken up, but he’s alive.”I felt a huge wave of relief. It was so strong, I almost forgot the pain. “Thank God.” I whispered, closing my eyes.Then I heard footsteps. Locke walked over. He looked really tired, but there was a proud look in his eyes. He crouched next to me.“You okay, kid?” he asked in a rough but kind voice.“Yeah.” I said, wincing as I moved. “The vest saved me. But… who was the guy who shot me? I didn’t know him.”Locke sighed. “It doesn’t matter. He won’t be hurting anyone else for a long time.” He looked behind me. “But we have another probl

Liam's POVThe room went quiet. Sheriff Grey looked furious. Hans stepped forward and leaned close to a police officer, whispering, “My client is innocent. Take your time with this so-called ‘investigation.’”The officer walked away, Hans’ words still in his head.Grey looked like he was going to explode. “You think I work for Blackwood?” he yelled. “After everything I’ve done here, you accuse me like this?!”Locke didn’t back down. He looked Grey in the eyes. “I’m saying what others are too scared to say. Blackwood runs this town, and you’ve helped him.”Grey stepped closer to Locke, his hands balled into fists. Then he grabbed the badge on Locke’s chest and ripped it off hard, tearing the uniform.“You’re fired!” Grey shouted so loud it echoed. “Get out of my station before I lock you up with Carter!”Locke stood tall. He stared at Grey with a mix of sadness and courage. “You know I’m telling the truth,” he said. “One day, you’ll have to pay for what you’ve done.”He walked out,

Ryan's POV“I know you.” I said quickly. The words felt bitter in my mouth. The man sitting in my chair... it couldn’t be. But it was. The scars on his face were clear. Silas Scratch. A famous criminal. Just got out of jail.Silas smiled in a creepy way. The scars around his mouth stretched. They looked even worse up close. “Well, well, well.” he said slowly. “Looks like the little bird knows who I am. Ryan Blackwood, right? You’ve gained some weight.”I felt my blood get hot. What was going on? “Why are you in my office, Scratch?” I asked, trying to stay calm. This had to be a bad dream. Maybe from drinking too much last night.Then, someone spoke from behind. “I invited him, Ryan.”I turned around fast. My dad. William Blackwood. Standing in the doorway. His face showed nothing. My stomach dropped. This was real. It was really happening.I felt both angry and confused. “Dad? What is going on? Why is Silas Scratch in my office?” I pointed at Silas, who just sat there, his eyes shinin

Liam's POVMy jaw got tight as I looked at Charles. He stood there, looking kind of awkward, like he was late for dinner instead of missing for weeks. “Where have you been?” I almost shouted, my anger just waiting to explode. “You disappeared. No calls, no messages. You left me hanging.”Charles sighed and ran a hand through his messy hair. “I know, Liam. I'm sorry. I owe you a real explanation, and I know it won’t fix things. But I had to go away. I found something big.”“Something big?” I repeated, not hiding how little I believed him. “That’s your excuse? You just vanished for ‘something big’ while everything was falling apart with the Blackwoods?” I crossed my arms, not wanting to let him off easy. “We were supposed to handle the Blackwoods together, remember?”He stepped into the office, the bright lights showing the lines on his face. “I know the timing was awful, the worst. I regret it. But trust me, what I found…it really matters. It's huge.”“Huge enough to leave me behind