I shivered despite the flush of heat burning my cheeks. While I wanted to know more about the case that had weaved its way through every aspect of my life over the past month and a half, it would mean hearing more awful details about my grandfather and what had been done to those women. It would mean more vivid images in my head, haunting me and keeping me up at night. The idea of hearing the truth I’d wanted so badly suddenly scared me, and I hesitated. But I knew the details would come out in the news anyway, so there was no point hiding from it. After a long pause I decided it would be best to hear it from them directly. It was better to be prepared and be able to ask them questions. But first, I needed to know if Cris was involved; I was too anxious to wait.

‘Sure, I can do that. But I have to know, was Cris involved? Did he know what Frank was up to?’

‘It’s probably best if we discuss everything in person when you come in.’

‘No, I need to know, please just tell me. It’s been eating me up that the person I’ve been getting to know could have been even remotely involved in what was done to those women. I know he and Frank were close.’

I heard Hannigan sigh. ‘From everything we’ve found in the cabin and after interviewing Cris, we are certain he was not involved in Frank’s crimes.’

I exhaled loudly. ‘You’re sure?’

‘Yes, we’re sure. We recovered no physical evidence that placed him at the cabin prior to the rescue, and it was very difficult for him to accept what his brother had done even after seeing Addie and Zoey chained up in that room. Once we show you the evidence, I’m sure you’ll be as confident as we are that he was unaware of Frank’s actions.’

I looked down at my hand and picked at my cuticles. With the information that Cris wasn’t involved, I was consumed by guilt that I’d ever thought it was him. ‘Okay, what time should I meet you?’

‘Can you be here by 1 p.m.? I’ll text you the address.’

‘1 p.m. it is. I’ll see you then.’