I watch the car drive away.

The driver speeds up, as if trying to get away faster.

It will never be enough to escape, however.

I should know.

My eyes latch onto a figure hiding behind a tree, as my heart picks up.

“You’re not sneaky,” I whisper, but I know he can hear me. “I could see you a mile away.”

The boy peeks around the tree, showing his 6’2” height on display. “How did you know?”

“Only people with something to hide will actually try to hide.”

The boy walks further out.

“So you know…?”

“It’s not hard to figure out, Jameson,” I reply, refusing to take my eyes off this boy-man-person._ I can’t die today. _

“Do you catch… _murderers_ every day?”

I notice his disgust in the word he knows he abides to.

“No. But it’s not hard to, when they have a motive, recently been ‘off their rocker,’ have no alibi, etc. There are so many reasons, Jamie, why I figured it out.”

I don’t know where I got the sudden confidence boost.

Even when I figured out Jameson’s crimes, I had yet to tell anybody. I was afraid he would go to jail, and I wouldn’t get to tell him.

“Gabby… Gabby likes you. Uhm… I actually think she might love you.”

“Is this really the time, Kenedi?”

“I could tell someone.”

“Keep talking.”

My heart hammers in my chest. I try to tap my fingers to calm down, but my hands are sweaty and shaking, so I leave them by my sides.

“If you don’t like Gabby back, or even try to like her, I’ll tell the police who you are.”

I’ve finally got my priorities straight… _right_?

A look of confusion crosses Jameson’s face. “That’s… that’s the deal?”

I nod, a straight face gathering on my features. He needs to know I mean business.

I watch a look of relief cascade down his features, leading to his shoulders relaxing and his face smiling.

“So… all I have to do is like and date Gabby?”

“Yes.”

“That’s it? You’re sure?”

I thought I was sure, I am sure… _right? _

I bite my tongue. Maybe I should call the police.

_But how would I do that without alarming him?_

Excuses, excuses.

_Come on, Kenedi. You need to catch this murderer._

“I can help you sort out the details, and maybe give you her number?” I offer, watching as Jameson sits down on the concrete ledge. “Gabby wouldn’t even bother trying to ask how you got it.”

“That would be… _quite_ the help.”

“First, though, I have to go use the restroom.”

“Uh… odd-timed, but okay.”

—

I hear the service’s official response.

“Well… uhm, I kind of…”

My gaze tries to spot Jameson through the clearing of the trees, but I can’t locate his position.

“Do you remember the death of Gunnar Taylor? The one they believe to be a murder?” My breathing turns even shallower than before.

“Yes. I know what you’re saying,” the emergency response lady acknowledges. “Please take deep breaths and tell us what’s going on.”

“I know who killed him and Fiona Shane. The murderer is in Beaver Creek Park, as am I. My name’s Kened—”

My sight finally finds him, but not before it’s too late. A splash of anger and a look of murderous intent colors his face.

“Kenedi Abbott— and he’s… he’s… Ja—”

I don’t even process how he knocks me out before it goes much further than just that.