His plea was interrupted by one of the officers. “Detective, I found something else,” Officer Ghazalian shouted, a glimmer of excitement in her voice as she held something up in the air. “There’s blood on it.” For a young cop, finding evidence in a murder case could be a career-making break, and this woman knew it. Becca’s gaze turned to where she was holding up a knife, the blade glinting in the sun. Becca rushed forward, determined to get a closer look. She could see the knife more clearly now, with its bright silver and ivory embellishments.

She gasped. “That’s Ash’s knife.” She’d tried to take the knife away. It was the biggest fight they ever had. Ash explained this knife was the one thing that made her feel safe. The words echoed in her head. There’s blood on it. There’s blood on it. She wondered if by relenting she’d signed Ash’s death certificate. Becca pointed at Vic. “That’s his tent. I saw him come out of it earlier this morning.” His eyes narrowed, a menacing look in his eyes as he glared back at her.

Wishard gave Becca a curt nod, and directed her attention to the officer. “Bag it. I want this entire area sealed off. I want forensics here now. No one touches anything until they arrive,” she barked.

“Becca, come on, we have to go,” Christian said again, reaching for her.

She shook free from him. “I said I’m not going anywhere.” Becca could feel her tears falling. Ash’s knife was her most treasured possession, a gift from Nate. Becca and Ash had more than a few heated discussions about Ash’s insistence on bringing it everywhere she went. If the Tribe had her knife, it meant something terrible had occurred. That was the only way Ash would ever relinquish it.

Nate. He knew something. He had to. Becca swiveled her gaze over to him, and that’s when she saw Nate lying on the sidewalk, slumped over, his hands cuffed behind his back, head lolling to the side, drool pooling down the front of his shirt.

“Chris, there’s something wrong with Nate. He needs help.” She was shouting now, the panic setting in as the officers raced over to him. Becca took a step forward to assist.

Christian’s hands wrapped around her waist. “I swear to God if you take another step, I will cuff you myself and throw you in the back of that goddamn squad car,” he said.

She stood motionless, watching as Wishard and Officer Ghazalian removed Nate’s restraints and laid him down on the concrete, while Officer Morris and another officer who had just arrived kept watch over the Mo and the Tribe.

“He’s got a pulse, but he took something,” Wishard shouted. “Get the medics out here now.” Becca tried to break free from Christian.