“I’m calling from the city jail.”

Hadley’s brows drew together. Why would the city jail be contacting her?

“What’s this about?”

“Do you know a Chelsey Williams?”

Surprised, Hadley said, “Yes, I do.”

“She’s currently being held here and has asked if you could visit her. Would you be able to come by?”

Still, Hadley couldn’t figure out why Chelsey would ask to see her.

Picking up on her pause, the woman continued, “She said there’s something urgent she wants you to know. If you’re unable to come, that’s completely fine. We’ll let her know what you decide. This is part of her rights, and we’re just doing our job by reaching out. Sorry for the inconvenience…”

“Wait!” Just as the officer was about to end the call, Hadley changed her mind. “I’ll meet her. Please make the arrangements.”

She didn’t know why Chelsey wanted to see her. But something—maybe curiosity, maybe instinct—urged her to go.

“Alright. I’ll take care of it. If it’s convenient, you can come now.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

After hanging up, Hadley turned to Tamara. “Let’s go to the city jail.”

“Yes.” Tamara didn’t question her. She just quietly sent a message to Phillips.

At the city jail.

After the visitation paperwork was completed, a police officer led Hadley through the secured hallway until she was brought face-to-face with Chelsey. Her wrists were cuffed. Her hair, once meticulously styled, now hung limp. The once-proud girl looked older, worn down by time and consequence.

Hadley pushed aside a flicker of pity. She spoke directly. “You asked me here. What is it you want?”

“Hadley…” Chelsey looked up. Her eyes were already red, and her voice cracked as she said, “Thank you. For getting me a lawyer.”

Lɑt?st chαpt?rs n glov?.сm

If not for that lawyer, Chelsey wouldn’t have been able to defend herself. She might have ended up buried under the weight of her father’s crimes.

Hadley nodded, expression unreadable. “I’ll take that. But whatever you did, you’ll answer for it. The law makes sure of that.”

She folded her arms. “Is that all you wanted to say? Just to thank me? There’s really no need for it.”

Chelsey shook her head quickly. “No—there’s more!”

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, rushing to explain. “I did want to thank you. But that’s not why I called you here.”

“Then say it.”

“Well…” Chelsey hesitated. “I saw the news from inside. Ayla… she drove her car into Elissa, right? Knocked her into the sea?”

“Yes.” Hadley’s brows furrowed. She nodded.

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