Chapter 180: The Edge of the Blade 2

Justin’s POV

I stared blankly at my lawyer across the room. He had stood up from his chair, watching me with wide, cautious eyes.

"Justin, he’s already in the area," the investigator pressed, the sound of keyboard clicking faintly in his background. "Based on his current GPS ping, he should reach your grandparents’ road in roughly an hour."

My heart hammered a violent, deafening rhythm against my ribs. "An hour?"

"Give or take a few minutes."

"Then I need to call them and tell them to lock the doors!"

"No!"

"Why the hell not?!"

"Because the second you warn them, they’ll panic and try to flee the property," he argued fiercely. "He’ll see the activity at the gates, realize the trap is set, and slip away into the countryside. Then we are right back to square one, looking over our shoulders forever."

I dragged my trembling hand over my face, my chest tight. "This is fucking absurd. It’s too risky."

"I know it’s risky."

"My grandparents "

"I know, Justin!"

"You’re asking me to let a monster walk right up to their front door!"

"I’m asking you to trust the process and let the authorities handle it!"

I shook my head violently, panic and fury warring inside me. "This is insane. My grandparents are not bait."

"They aren’t bait."

"Then what the hell do you call this?!"

"An opportunity to finally catch the man who helped ruin your family!"

I clenched my jaw until my head throbbed. I hated this. I hated every single second of it.

"Do not call your father," the investigator added sternly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Do not tell your girlfriend. Don’t make a single move."

I turned my head toward my lawyer. He was shaking his head at me frantically, mouthing the words, "Leave it alone. Let the police do it."

I completely ignored him.

The investigator’s heavy voice came through the speaker one last time. "Just sit back, take a breath, and let me handle this."

I swallowed hard, the taste of copper in my mouth. "This is so fucking risky."

"I know."

"I hate this."

"I know." He let out a long, weary breath. "You’ve been emotional since the second you picked up this call, Justin. Don’t let your temper make you do something reckless that you can’t undo."

A bitter, dry laugh escaped my throat. "Easy for you to say. They aren’t your family."

"Trust me on this."

I didn’t give him an answer.

"Trust me, Justin."

The call went dead.

I slowly lowered the phone from my ear, standing frozen in the silent room. My breathing was fast and shallow.

My lawyer stared at me across the desk, his hands raised in a calming gesture. "Don’t."

I glared at him, my brow furrowing. "Don’t what?"

"Don’t do whatever reckless thing you’re planning in your head right now."

I stepped back toward the desk, my posture rigid. "My grandparents are sitting in that house!"

"And the police are waiting right outside," he countered firmly.

"I don’t like it."

"Neither do I, but it’s out of our hands "

I didn’t wait for him to finish. I unlocked my phone screen, tapped my contacts, and clicked on my grandfather’s number.

My lawyer instantly sat up straight, his face darkening. "Are you seriously calling your grandfather right now?"

"Don’t argue with me," I snapped coldly, holding the phone up to my ear.

He let out a heavy, defeated sigh, sinking back into his chair.

The line rang once. Twice.

Then, a familiar, deep voice echoed through the speaker. "Hey, Justin."

My heart did a painful flip in my chest. "Hey, Pops. What’s up?"

His tone was completely warm, completely normal, utterly detached from the horror closing in on his home. "We’re just fine, son. What’s going on with you?"

"Nothing," I lied, forcing my voice into a steady, casual cadence despite the adrenaline burning through my veins. "Just... wanted to check in on you guys this morning."

My grandfather let out a soft, fond chuckle. "Checking in on us this early? Don’t you have a trial to prepare for?"

"Yeah," I murmured, my throat tight. "Couldn’t hurt to hear your voice, though."

He laughed softly. "Your grandmother is already sitting right here complaining that you’re hovering too much these days."

A faint, genuine smile broke through my panic despite myself. "Yeah, well. Where are you two right now?"

"We’re actually heading out the door," he replied casually.

My heart leaped straight into my throat. "Heading out?"

"Yeah. We’re taking the car and driving a couple of towns over to visit an old friend for lunch."

I closed my eyes, letting out a long, silent gasp of air. "How... how soon are you guys leaving?"

"We’re literally stepping out to the garage right now, son."

I darted a quick glance at my lawyer. His strict expression melted the second he realized what was happening over the line.

"And how long do you think you’ll be gone, Pops?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

"Oh, probably three hours or so. You know how your grandmother gets once she starts talking."

Three hours.

A massive, overwhelming wave of relief washed through my body, making my knees feel almost weak. They wouldn’t even be home when he arrived. They were completely out of harm’s way.

"Okay," I breathed out, my chest unclenching. "That’s good."

There was a brief pause on the line. "Justin? You sound a little strange, son. Is everything alright over there?"

"No, I’m fine," I forced a quick, convincing laugh, rubbing my forehead. "I’m good, Pops. Just wanted to make sure you two were doing okay."

"We’re fine, Justin. Always are."

"Okay. Have a safe trip, alright?"

"We will."

"Text me the second you pull out of the driveway," I instructed, unable to completely hide the protective edge in my tone. "And text me the second you guys reach your friend’s house."

My grandfather let out a hearty laugh. "Goodness, boy, you really are turning into your grandmother."

"Just do it for me, okay?"

"Alright, son. I will."

I closed my eyes, holding back the thick emotion in my chest. "Love you, Pops."

"Love you too, Justin. Talk soon."

The call ended with a soft beep.

For a long moment, I just stood in the quiet office, holding the phone against my chest as my racing pulse finally began to slow down.

I tapped the screen, opening up our family location-sharing app. My grandfather had enabled it months ago so I could track his drives when his eyesight started fading.

A little blue icon glowed over their estate on the map.

I held my breath, watching the screen.

A few grueling seconds passed. Then, the little blue dot began to shift. It glided down the long, winding driveway, passed through the front gates, and turned onto the main highway, moving steadily away from the property.

Away from the danger. Away from the ghost coming for them.

My shoulders dropped, all the agonizing tension draining out of me in one heavy rush. "Oh... thank God."

I let out the massive breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. They were gone. They were safe.

My lawyer looked up at me from behind his desk, shaking his head with a faint, wry smile. "You really just couldn’t listen to the expert, could you?"

I tossed my phone onto the desk, leaning my hands against the wood. "No."

He shook his head again. "Stubborn as hell."

"Absolutely."

I looked back down at the glowing screen. The little blue dot was getting farther and farther away from the house, heading safely toward the next town.

Then, my phone vibrated violently against the dark wood.

Private Investigator.