Dreams Outgrow Rooms Built From Other Peoples Fears by Niro Mason 208

208 Just A Civilian Asking Questions 

After accompanying Gramps to the airport. I kept checking the documents for anything I could find, but I kept hitting a dead end. 

“What are you looking at?” Reed asked, eyes on the road. 

“Just my mom’s old diary, nothing much.” 

“Seems a little too big for a diary.” 

“She was a writer.” 

At least that was what I thought she was. I don’t remember clearly, but I always saw her typing on her laptop whenever she was home. I was wrong the entire time; my little mind had no idea she was working on cases. I didn’t even notice a badge or a gun. 

It was times like this I wished I remembered my time with my parents more clearly. Most of it was fuzzy anyway… blurred by a part of me that wanted to forget. 

This was getting me nowhere, and I wanted something useful. So I picked up her diary. I had hoped to wait until I got back to Tori’s place but my nerves can’t take it anymore. 

“Okay, that looks like a diary,” Reed commented. 

“Keep your eyes on the road, will ya?” 

“Yes, ma’am.” 

As I skimmed through, I was still met with the same case of faded out words but a particular name kept recurring. Lena. Going through further I finally figured out who she was. Her full name was mentioned and the way mom talked about her, they seemed pretty close. 

Lena Grant. I think she was Mom’s partner. 

“Reed?” 

“Yeah?” 

“I need to go somewhere.” 

He nodded. “Alright, where to?” 

“But I need you to promise me something.” 

09:01 C 

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208 Just A Civilian Asking Questions 

He shifted his eyes to me briefly. 

“You can’t tell Ares about anything that happened today.” 

I could tell he wanted to question me, but then he said. “I told you I’m not under order nor your bodyguard. I’m your friend, and friends stick with each other.” 

A soft smile pressed on my lips. 

འར་འ 

“Here?” Reed asked, eyeing the building. 

“What?” I questioned as if it were no big deal. 

“Are you sure you need to go in there?” 

“Have you committed any crime?” 

“A few…” 

“Right… then I’ll go alone.” 

“I can’t let you do that.” He stopped me before I got out. 

“It’s fine really… I’m just a civilian who is gonna ask about someone, that’s all.” 

“Who?” 

I gulped. “I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you that.” 

I do trust him, but I had to keep this covert. This was personal for me, and for me alone. 

I took the leather bag with me and stepped out of the car, crossing the street to the precinct. I don’t know which one Mom worked at, but I figured any would do. 

Seeing the officers crawling around the place, I got nervous. I mean, I was Mrs. King to the city, but recently the news was all about Theo’s death and the fall of the Voss company. They were eating that up and had no time to worry about Mr. and Mrs. King. 

Besides, I’m in my disguise. Glasses. It worked in the shopping mall, right? Can’t hurt to try that magic again. 

I cleared my throat when I got to the desk officer in complete uniform. 

“Hi. I’m looking for someone.” 

09:01 

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208 Just A Civilian Asking Questions 

“Wanna file a missing person case? It’s over there…” she nudged her head to a line. 

Jesus! How many people go missing in a day? 

“A–Actually, I’m not here for that, I’m looking for a detective that goes by Lena Carter?” 

She blinked. “Carter?” 

“Yes, is she not in this precinct?” 

She sighed. “There are so many Carters. Just hold on a bit.” She typed on her 

computer. 

I waited for a few minutes before she spoke. “Lena Carter?” 

“Yes!” 

“She retired years ago.” 

“Oh… Can I get an address then?” 

“Sorry, I can’t give out personal information.” 

“R–Right… thanks.” I was about to move, but I stopped. “Actually, my mom, I just found out she was a detective here in Midnight, and it was really shocking. But I’m proud she did something as badass as that. I really wanna connect with that, and knowing her partner Lena Carter would help, even a little bit.” 

The officer lingered before blinking away. “I can see if she’s willing to contact you.” 

“Thanks, I would really be grateful for that. Can I drop my number?” 

“Sure.” 

“Great!” I took a slip and quickly wrote down my 

“Once again, thank you so much,” 

number and my name. 

I left the precinct, releasing a breath. Gosh! It has gotten colder. 

I crossed the street and quickly got in the car. 

“So that went well. Now I have to wait until-” 

My heart skipped a beat, when an all ‘too familiar manly cologne filled my nose. Ares. 

We just stayed there, gaze locked for over a minute. 

“W–What are you doing here?” I asked in a whisper, feeling a tightening in my chest. 

09:01 

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208 Just A Civilian Asking Questions 

“I have trackers on all my cars.” 

I shivered, forcing my gaze ahead. “That doesn’t answer my question. Where is Reed?” 

“I sent him away.” 

I scoffed, moving to open the door, but Ares put it on auto lock, and the door wouldn’t budge. 

“I’ll drive you.” He started the car. 

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be, Mr. King? Driving a random woman will get people talking.” 

“You’re not a random woman.” 

you 

“Yes, I am. You made that very clear after terminated the contract.” I glared at him but he just kept his eyes on the road, his grip tightened against the wheels until his knuckles turned white. 

Knowing he wasn’t gonna say a fucking word, I kept quiet for the rest of the ride. It was odd seeing him drive so slowly, almost as if he didn’t want the journey to end. 

I kept stealing glances at him. He was ridiculously attractive, being so relaxed, spinning the wheels with one hand. 

I forced my attention back to the road, bidding the time this long ride would be over, and when it was, the doors unlocked, but I didn’t move. 

We didn’t say a word to each other, but the silence was really loud. 

Suddenly, I felt the heat of his hand near mine on the center console. I didn’t look, I couldn’t. We were dangerously close to touching. 

00:01