Chapter 29 THE AFTERMATH
\[ARIA POV\]
Ethan's in custody.
He was taken three hours back. Hands tied behind. They told him what he could do. Then hauled off to the county jail.
I saw everything from start to finish.
Kept quiet. Not one sound came out.
Marcus wanted a word. Same with Sarah. The boss? Nah - that role’s gone. Maya Ford’s name now. Doesn’t hold that title. It was her sibling who did.
I’m struggling to focus.
I’m parked in the squad’s break room. A hollow mug sits on the table - no clue when I finished it. Time just slipped by.
The door opens.
Marcus.
"You should go home."
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine. You just watched your fiancé get arrested for serial murder."
"Ex-fiancé."
He takes a seat opposite me.
"Aria. Go home. Get some sleep. We'll deal with all this tomorrow."
"What about my brother?"
"We've got a unit outside his building. He's safe."
"For how long?"
"As long as it takes."
I glance his way.
"Ethan said he had one bird left. The black one."
"He's in custody. He can't hurt anyone."
"Then who sent me that photo? Who took that picture of my brother?"
Marcus doesn't answer.
Since he’s unaware.
"I need to see him," I say.
"Who? Your brother?"
"Ethan."
"No."
"Marcus—"
"No. You're too close to this. You need distance."
"I need answers."
"And you'll get them. But not tonight. Tonight you go home. Rest. Tomorrow we start building the case."
I stand up.
"I'm going to see my brother."
"Good. That's good. Take a few days. We'll handle things here."
I take my jacket. Then I get my keys.
Walk out.
My brother’s place? Just a twenty-minute trip down the road.
The squad car sits up ahead. As I pass by, the cop tips his head at me.
I go up the steps. On the third level.
Kick the door loudly.
"It's me. Aria."
The door opens.
My brother seems worn out - maybe even terrified.
You good? He says.
"Yeah. You?"
"Been better."
He opens up, so I step inside.
The apartment’s tiny - just one bedroom. There’s a kitchen, though kinda basic. The living space? Got a couch along with an old TV.
"You want something to drink?" he asks.
"No. I just wanted to check on you."
"The cops said someone took a picture of me. While I was sleeping."
"Yeah."
"Who?"
"We don't know yet."
He plops onto the couch. Then rakes his fingers through his hair.
"This is insane. I thought you said they caught the guy."
"They did."
"Then who took the picture?"
"I don't know."
He glances my way.
"Aria, I'm scared."
I take a seat beside him.
"I know. But you're safe. There's a cop outside. I'm here. Nothing's going to happen."
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do."
He seems unsure about it.
Neither am I.
"When's the last time we talked?" he asks. "Like really talked. Not just texting."
I figured it out.
"A couple of months. Maybe more."
"Yeah. Mom's birthday. I called you. You were working."
"I'm always working."
"I know."
Silence.
I’m sorry,” I mutter.
"For what?"
"For not being around. For not calling back. For making you feel like you're not important."
"You don't have to apologize."
"Yeah, I do."
He slumps backward. His eyes fix on the roof above.
"You know what's funny? Growing up, I used to be jealous of you."
"Jealous?"
"Yeah. You were always the smart one. The one who had it all figured out. Mom and Dad were so proud of you."
"They were proud of you too."
"Not the same way."
I'm not sure how to put it.
"But I'm not jealous anymore," he says. "I just want my sister back."
I grab his hand - suddenly, right there.
"I'm here."
"Are you? Because it feels like you've been gone for a long time."
He's right.
I’ve had my mind stuck on job stuff. Then again, always chasing case after case. Instead of slowing down, I keep trying to show I’m good enough.
I didn't remember the ones that count - not at first.
I’m sorry,” I repeat once more.
"Stop apologizing. Just... stay. For a while."
"Okay."
We sit there - no words. Just quiet. Still together.
At last, after weeks, it’s like the air feels easier.
My phone buzzes.
Text from Marcus.
Ethan’s looking for ya.
I gaze at the display.
"You have to go," my brother says.
"I don't—"
"Yes, you do. It's okay. I'll be fine."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Go. Do your job."
I stand up.
"I'll come back. Tomorrow. We'll get lunch or something."
"I'd like that."
I wrap my arms around him. Not letting go - this time it’s different.
Watch out," he says.
"You too."
I leave.
The holding cells sit below ground. Chilly air hangs heavy. Gray walls everywhere. It reeks of cleaning fluid mixed with old perspiration.
Marcus is holding on till I show up.
"You don't have to do this," he says.
"I know."
"He's going to mess with your head."
"I know."
"Then why?"
"Because I need to hear it from him. All of it."
Marcus nods.
"I'll be right outside. You need anything, just yell."
"Thanks."
He pulls the door wide. Then steps inside without looking back.
Ethan’s parked on a cold metal seat. His hands are locked together up ahead. Wearing a bright orange outfit.
He glances over the moment I step inside.
Smiles.
"Aria. I was wondering when you'd come."
I take a seat opposite him. A cold metal table sits in between.
Don't say anything.
You’re mad,” he tells her instead.
"What gave it away?"
"The fact that you shot someone on my behalf. That's not like you."
"I didn't shoot anyone on your behalf."
"No? You shot to save Detective Chen. Who was I holding? So technically—"
"Stop."
He leans back, yet still grins.
"You look tired."
"I am tired."
"You should sleep."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because you sent someone a photo of my brother. And I need to know who."
"I didn't send anyone anything."
"You're lying."
"Am I? I've been in custody for three hours. How would I send a photo?"
"You planned it. Before you got arrested."
"Did I?"
"Stop playing games."
"I'm not playing games. I'm just sitting here. You're the one who came to see me."
I lean forward.
"Who's the last victim? Who's the black bird for?"
He turns his head slightly.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"Tell me."
"Why should I?"
"Because if you don't, I'll make sure you never see daylight again."
He laughs.
"Aria. I'm already going to prison for life. What more can you do to me?"
"I can make sure everyone knows what you are. A coward. A manipulator. A—"
"A what? A monster? Go ahead. Say it."
I don't.
He moves ahead. Near - just how close the table lets him.
"You want to know the truth? The real truth?"
"Yes."
"I loved you. In my own way."
"That's not love."
"It's the only kind I know."
"Then you don't know anything."
He sits back.
"Maybe. But I know this. You're going to spend the rest of your life wondering. Wondering if you missed something. Wondering if you could've stopped me sooner. Wondering if the next person who dies is your fault."
"That's not going to happen."
"It already did. Captain Ford. Emma. Your mentor. Your friend. All dead because you hesitated."
I stand up.
"I'm done."
"No you're not. You'll be back. Because you need answers. And I'm the only one who has them."
I head toward the door. Then I knock.
Marcus opens it.
I step out.
Don't look back.
Yet I catch Ethan’s tone - soft, even.
"See you soon, Aria."