The Arrangement 16

Chapter 9

The next week rushes by in a blur of tears and sorrow. I still can’t believe Bryan is gone, and other than the outpouring of emotion I heard from Sean the night after Bryan was killed, no one is certain what happened or why. I feel horrible for giving him that gun. Bryan told me he could change things for Sean, that the public wouldn’t despise him anymore. It isn’t until now that I realize he meant to do this all along.

It worked. The news has been all over the place, replaying old clips of Sean walking into the courthouse for his trial, to more current clips of him, both with that stoic expression on his lips, both taken after a loss. Instead of attacking him, they’re playing Sean up to be this mysterious, sensitive man that everyone mistook. The fact that he silently took the blame for his wife’s murder to protect someone else just feeds the media frenzy. It has been nonstop Ferro. The press is parked out at the mansion and at Elizabeth Ferro’s lavish home.


Lucky for me, no one knows where I am, squatting in my parents old house. I managed to get the closing date from the realty company. I keep the lights off and make sure no one sees me come or go. I’ve replaced the broken glass on the back window. It’s not technically correct, but it’s enough so that if someone comes by they won’t see broken glass. The pane is sloppily glued in place with Liquid Nails. If someone gets close, they can tell, but no one has been looking. The realtor doesn’t come by because the house has already sold. Her commission is within reach. I just have to be out before the final walkthrough. By then, I should have a better idea of what to do next.

Sean begged me not to work for Black and I know that would be the height of stupidity, but the thought jumps around in my mind like a drunken rabbit. What if I had all the money I needed? What if I had the power to make men fall at my feet and beg? I don’t like these thoughts, but they keep popping up. I wonder if I’m losing myself, if life has gotten so difficult that the true Avery has sunk beneath the waves forever.

Mari’s phone buzzes. I’m lying on my back in the empty living room, staring at the ceiling. It’s a text message from Peter.

Have you seen Sean?

That’s a weird question. I type back.

Not since the other night. He wanted some time to do man things, alone.

What time was that?

I think for a moment and answer

Around 9pm a couple days ago. Sean’s done this before. He’s fine.

But as I type the words, a chill shoots up my spine, making me think something’s wrong. He shouldn’t have gone anywhere in his condition, but he said he had business that had to be done. I promised to hide out with Trystan, but I came here instead. I can’t imagine Sean falling off the map unless he wanted to.

I’m with Mom and Aunt Lizzie pretending not to notice. They know something’s up, but neither of them will say anything. Sean is in trouble. Meet me at IHOP in 20 minutes.

That explains why Sean didn’t call, but I wasn’t going to let myself get worked up about it. I figured he fell asleep or something. I text back a quick confirmation. Peter must know something I don’t.

Pushing up, I get to my feet, careful not to stand in front of the window. Normally I wouldn’t leave at this time of day. There are too many people coming and going, someone might see me. But I’m worried about Sean.

I tap his number into this old phone and wait. It rings forever. No voicemail. No nothing. Weird. I text him and don’t receive a reply.

“Where are you, Sean?” The pit of my stomach sinks and for half a second I think I know where he is, but dismiss the thought. There’s no way he’d be there.