Chapter 3

The one who tied the bell must untie it.

But could that bastard Zachary really untie this knot?

I found Zachary's number and called. No answer.

I sent a message on SnapChat:

[This is Aria. I need to talk to you. 3 PM, Countryside Café on South Street.]

I arrived half an hour early.

I chose a window seat with a view of the street corner.

Three o'clock. Zachary didn't show.

Three-thirty. Zachary didn't show.

Four o'clock. The coffee had gone completely cold, and Zachary still hadn't appeared.

I tried calling him again. The line wouldn't connect.

Then my phone buzzed on the table---an unknown number.

"Hello, is this Ms. Aria?"

"Yes."

"This is the Criminal Investigation Unit of the City Police Department."

I thought something had happened to Chloe. My hand shook, nearly knocking over the coffee cup.

"Do you know Zachary? We received a report that he was found in an alley in the west district with severe head trauma. He's in the hospital now, unconscious."

I didn't catch the next few words. My ears were ringing.

"We checked his recent communications. Both you and Chloe contacted him recently. Please return to your apartment now to assist with the investigation."

I left the café. The cold wind outside jolted me awake.

Back at the apartment, Chloe was curled up on the sofa, arms wrapped around her knees, making herself as small as possible.

The officers said there was no surveillance at the crime scene, no witnesses, and no weapon found.

Zachary's phone was also missing.

Chloe shook her head to every question.

"Zachary? Who's that? I don't know him."

"I don't remember him contacting me. I don't remember meeting him."

"I've been home these past few days. I haven't gone anywhere."

Her answers were airtight.

Naturally, the police couldn't get anything from me either.

After all, Zachary hadn't answered my call---I'd only sent a SnapChat message and never met him.

The officers told us to keep our phones available for further assistance with the investigation.

After the police left, I pulled Chloe onto the sofa.

"Chloe, tell me the truth. Did you go see Zachary these past two days?"

Chloe looked up, her eyes red and full of confusion.

"I don't remember. I really don't remember who Zachary is."

But I knew her too well.

When she was nervous, she'd unconsciously wring her fingers.

From the moment the police entered until now, her hands hadn't stopped that small gesture.

My doubts grew stronger.

But I didn't press further. After she fell asleep, I quietly entered her room.

In her nightstand drawer was a diary with a combination lock.

I tried several of her common passwords. None worked.

I hesitated, then entered my birthday.

The lock opened.

I flipped it open. The first few pages were in her usual handwriting.

Further in, the writing became messy.

The last few pages made a chill run down my spine.

"Zachary says he owes a lot of debt. The creditors will kill him."

"He says he wronged me and wants to see me one last time before he leaves."

"I don't know if I should agree."

"If Aria finds out I'm still in contact with him, she'll definitely yell at me. I can't let her know."

I closed the diary and sat in the darkness for a long time without moving.

My mind was even more chaotic.

Had Chloe gone to see Zachary?

Did Zachary's injury have anything to do with Chloe?

I didn't dare think further. Each question pressed down on me until I could barely breathe.