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Carlos tilts his head at the gibberish on his screen. He’s pretty sure his boyfriend meant to text something’s wrong, but even when TK is in a rush, he doesn’t spell this badly. The strung together letters have a slurred vibe, and although that’s concerning, it’s not what bothers Carlos the most. The message itself is disturbing along with TK’s distinct urgency to communicate before he loses the ability to do so.
“Something wrong?”
“Maybe.”
Carlos doesn’t want to alarm his father even though his own heart is pounding as he dials TK and listens to the phone ring…and ring. When voicemail picks up, he ends the call and heads toward the door.
Gabriel frowns at his son’s abrupt departure. “Where are you going?”
“Home.”
Carlos never should’ve left. Never should’ve trusted Owen’s judgment. TK’s father met some strange woman in the hill country back in January, then just happened to cross paths with her again several months later in Austin? Something about that felt off the first time Carlos heard it. Something about Sadie felt off as well when Owen brought her to the loft earlier, and now she’s alone with TK…and TK isn’t answering his phone.
“We’re in the middle of an investigation,” Gabriel points out.
As if Carlos isn’t aware of that.
As if he doesn’t remember barely kissing TK in his rush to leave.
“This is our best lead so far.”
It is.
That’s why Carlos was willing to meet Gabriel and help him follow it.
But what was important two seconds ago isn’t important now, not when Carlos can’t shake the feeling that TK is in danger.
“Carlitos…”
Carlos ignores his father as he dials TK again on his way to the parking lot.
____________
“He’s persistent. I’ll give him that,” Sadie remarks as she glances at TK’s phone vibrating on the coffee table. She’s lost count of how many times Carlos has called over the past ten minutes. “He’s cute, too.” She picks up the phone for a better look at the photo of TK’s boyfriend. “I bet you like those curls. Not that I blame you…”
Talking to TK like he’s still conscious is somehow soothing.
“He’ll probably be here in a minute,” Sadie continues, setting the phone back on the table. “And your dad.”
Owen had answered on the first ring, his tone concerned, then panicked when Sadie told him TK had collapsed. He said he was on his way and instructed her to call 911, but…nah.
Sadie has no intention of getting help. With any luck, TK will be dead by the time Carlos and Owen arrive, and she’s okay with that. It wasn’t the original plan – she just wanted to keep TK quiet with the 70mg she dissolved in his soup – but she’s also not a doctor or a pharmacist. Maybe that dose is enough to kill someone, and if TK doesn’t survive this, he’ll take her secret to the grave where it belongs.
Sadie smiles as she returns to the bedroom.
For this to be believable, the scene must be just right. Especially since Carlos and Owen are first responders. They’ve likely seen their share of overdose calls, and if one thing is out of place…
Sadie sighs as she circles TK, sprawled face down on the floor exactly as he fell.
That part is real.
The rest is staged, and Sadie hopes the scattered pills and open prescription bottle will sell this tragic story.
“Nothing personal,” she says as she crouches beside Owen’s son. “I just couldn’t let you tell your father before I had the chance to explain everything to him myself.”
Sadie shrugs. It really is that simple.
She arrived at the loft knowing what TK and Carlos would find when they reviewed the security footage from the capitol building. She knew there would be questions about why she was there that day lurking in the halls. If the cameras had also caught her exiting Catherine’s office, the jig would be up.
That’s when Plan A started to take shape.
Drugging them both with her pain medication seemed like the best option…until Carlos left unexpectedly, and TK let it slip that opioids were his drug of choice back when he used.
That’s when Sadie switched to Plan B.
She would still spike TK’s dinner, but the tale she would spin would be different.
TK stole her pills and accidentally OD’d. He just couldn’t resist the temptation, and it’s so sad.
So shocking.
So horrible.
Owen will be devastated to lose his only child, but Sadie will be there to console him…right after she gets rid of Catherine.
“One thing at a time…” she reminds herself.
Killing her ex-husband taught her that: clean up one murder before moving to the next.
“Anyway…it was sweet of you to warn me.”
Sadie smiles as she remembers how genuine TK seemed when he cautioned her about the potential of getting hooked on prescribed narcotics. Seconds later, he was pausing the security footage, his expression startled as he looked up from the laptop. Seconds after that, TK was coughing and staring suspiciously into his bowl. He commented that he felt hot as he sent a quick text, then excused himself to the bedroom where he promptly passed out.
“TK!”
Sadie can hear Carlos down the hall, yelling his boyfriend’s name as soon as he steps off the elevator.
“Showtime…” she whispers as she stands and rushes toward the door. “Carlos! Thank God!”
“Where’s TK?”
Sadie points to the bedroom as Carlos enters the loft, knowing she nailed the scene when he pales at the sight of his boyfriend unconscious on the floor surrounded by pills.
“TK!” Carlos kneels beside him, turning TK over. “Baby? Can you hear me?”
“He’s been unresponsive.”
“For how long?”
“I’m not sure,” Sadie replies, watching as Carlos checks TK’s vitals.
“Shit! No pulse.” Carlos immediately starts chest compressions. “There’s Narcan in the bathroom. Under the sink. Bring it to me.”
Well, fuck.
There goes Sadie’s plan for burying her secret along with TK…though honestly, she should’ve known they would have the reversal drug on hand just in case. A lot of addict households do. Owen probably insisted because he’s a good father like that. He loves his son so much. Not as much as he loves her, of course, but –
“Now!” Carlos snaps when Sadie just stands there. “TK.” He blows two breaths into his boyfriend’s mouth before resuming compressions. “Stay with me, baby. Stay with me.”
“I can’t find it!”
It’s a lie.
Sadie is looking right at it.
“Under the sink to the left!”
Yep. That’s where it is alright.
“I still can’t…”
Carlos growls his frustration, storming into the bathroom and shoving her aside as he grabs the Narcan and runs back to TK, jabbing it into his thigh.
Sadie holds her breath as they wait for TK to respond, then tries to hide her disappointment when he does.
TK gasps awake, disoriented and slightly combative until he realizes who is reaching for him. “Carlos…”
“It’s okay.” Carlos murmurs those words over and over as TK sits up, clinging to him. “I’m here. You’re okay.”
TK swallows as Carlos drops a kiss to his head. He doesn’t remember feeling shaky and nauseous; he just remembers feeling strange. And hot. He remembers sweating and wondering if the pho was too spicy or if Sadie had –
“TK!”
“Carlos!”
“In here!” Carlos yells, a bit surprised to see Owen and Gabriel. Catherine is also standing in the bedroom doorway, and Carlos doesn’t miss how Sadie glares at her.
“TK. Son…”
“He’s okay,” Carlos assures as Owen sidesteps Sadie to join him and TK on the floor.
“What happened?”
That’s what Carlos would like to know. He looks at Sadie as he continues to hold TK, his boyfriend distraught and trembling in his arms.
“He, uh…” Sadie gestures to the pills and the used Narcan like it’s obvious. “He stole my Oxy and overdosed.”
Carlos knew she was going to say that; it certainly matches the scene she set. But Carlos also knows TK, and the accusation is complete and utter –
“Bullshit.”
“Definite bullshit,” TK agrees, pushing away from Carlos to stare up at Sadie. “I didn’t do that. I didn’t,” he insists, looking back at Carlos.
“I know you didn’t.”
“You sure?” Gabriel challenges, holding his son’s gaze. “We follow evidence, not emotions, mijo. And evidence would suggest Sadie’s story is correct.”
“Exactly,” Carlos replies. “Her story. She can make up whatever she wants and stage the scene to reflect her fabrication, but that doesn’t mean it’s true.”
“Are you calling me a liar?” Sadie scoffs as Carlos cuts his eyes at her. “I have no reason to lie.” She turns to Owen. “You believe me, don’t you?”
Because that’s all that matters.
Owen sighs. “TK…”
“I didn’t do it, Dad!”
“I’m not saying you did,” Owen soothes, keeping his voice calm despite the rising dread.
He’s acquainted with this version of his son. The lying, the defensiveness. Both are classic signs, and Owen blames himself. He never should’ve put TK in this position. He never should’ve brought Sadie to the loft, never should’ve tempted TK with easy access to opioids, especially since he knows TK has been struggling with the loss of his mother.
Sometimes Owen still thinks about that day he caught his son in the ambulance with those two vials of fentanyl in his hand...
“Addiction is an illness, TK. And sometimes addicts relapse. You’ve done it before.”
TK hates it when his father throws his past in his face. “Yes. But that’s not what happened tonight.”
“Okay,” Gabriel allows. “Then tell us what did.”
TK closes his eyes. If his head wasn’t pounding with every heartbeat, he could probably recall the details leading up to this moment, but everything is still fuzzy.
“TK…” Carlos lifts his boyfriend’s chin, frowning at how pale he looks. TK should be receiving medical attention, not being interrogated. “He needs to be evaluated.”
Owen nods. “The paramedics should be here by now.” He glances at Sadie. “Did you call 911?”
“No. I forgot.”
“Forgot?” Catherine has tried to stay out of this, but – “How could you forget when there was a kid passed out on the floor? 911 should’ve been your first phone call.”
Sadie forces a smile. “Well, I guess we’re not all perfect like you.”
Catherine arches an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Gabriel says as he steps forward. “TK can be evaluated in the infirmary. They’re familiar with the protocol for overdoses.”
“Infirmary?” Carlos shakes his head as he stands, placing himself between his father and TK. “No. You’re not taking him to jail.”
“I am,” Gabriel counters, unlatching his handcuffs.
“This seems extreme.”
“Because it is,” Carlos confirms, glancing at Owen.
“I don’t make the rules, Carlitos. I just follow them. And theft of a controlled substance is a felony. Not to mention possession and use.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Does it look like I’m joking?”
Carlos clenches his jaw along with his fist. His dad is such an arrogant asshole sometimes, looking at everyone with that smug expression like he’s the only who knows the law.
“Drugging someone without their consent is also a felony.”
“It is,” Gabriel agrees. “But we have no proof that occurred.”
“Not yet,” Carlos replies, staring over his father’s shoulder. TK’s bowl is still beside his laptop on the coffee table. “Test his food.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Sadie dismisses. “We were both in the kitchen. How could I crush up Oxy without TK noticing?”
“I went to the bathroom before we ate.” TK feels sick as he thinks about it now, how trusting he was. “She could’ve done it then.”
Carlos nods as he helps TK to his feet. “When did you start feeling the effects?”
“Not long after we started eating. And then…”
Carlos frowns as TK stops speaking. “Hey.” His hands hover on either of his boyfriend, ready to catch TK in case he stood up too fast. “What’s wrong?”
“The security footage.”
“What about it?”
“She’s in it.”
All eyes turn to Sadie.
“You were at the capitol building?”
Sadie makes a face. “Owen. Please. Why would I be at the capitol building?”
“Maybe to deliver a card.”
Sadie glances at Catherine. “No. I think TK is just confused.”
“Let’s watch the footage together,” Carlos says, keeping one arm around TK as his boyfriend leans against him. “That should clear everything up.”
“We can’t,” Sadie replies, hoping she doesn’t appear as cagey as she feels. “The footage was deleted.”
“How?”
It was remarkably easy. Just one click, and it was gone.
Sadie shrugs. “You know how technology is…”
Catherine hums. “Well, lucky for us, I still have the file on my phone.”
Sadie glares at the bitch she should’ve killed first.
“It was camera 3,” TK says. “She was coming out of your office.”
Catherine nods as she pulls up the footage, as everyone gathers round to watch Sadie emerge from her office just like TK said, looking suspicious as hell as she closes the door, adjusts the strap on her bag, and disappears down the hall.
“The card I opened…was it in that bag?”
Sadie laughs. “It was just cornstarch. It didn’t hurt you.”
“No, but you did hurt my boy. Didn’t you?”
Sadie sighs as she looks at Owen. “It was just 70mg. I didn’t think it was enough to kill him.”
“Dad…”
Gabriel nods, hearing the warning in Carlos’s tone. If he doesn’t remove this woman from the room, his son will take matters into his own hands. “Sadie Becker. You’re under arrest.”
Sadie doesn’t resist as she stares at Owen. “I hope this doesn’t change things between us.”
“There was never anything between us,” Owen replies.
“And if there was, trying to murder his son would definitely change things.”
“Shut up, bitch!”
Catherine smirks as Gabriel leads Sadie out of the loft.
“Okay…” Owen turns his attention to TK. “Where are you headed? To the couch or to the hospital?”
“Couch.”
“TK…”
TK gives Carlos a tired smile. He knew his boyfriend would object. “Babe. Really. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” Carlos counters. “You were violated in our home and drugged against your will. Ten minutes ago, you didn’t even have a pulse.”
“But now I do. Thanks to you.”
Carlos accepts his boyfriend’s kiss, but he’s not letting this go. “At least let Tommy come check you out.”
TK groans. It’s really not fair when Carlos uses those big brown eyes against him.
Half an hour later, Tommy is sitting beside TK on the couch, confirming his vitals are within normal limits while reminding him to take it easy and hydrate over the next 48 hours.
“He will,” Carlos assures, thanking her as Owen sees her out.
“We should probably go, too.”
“Probably,” Carlos agrees, appreciating Catherine’s ability to read the room.
“I’m starving,” Owen announces as he rejoins them. “Are we ordering in, or…”
“Actually, we’re also heading out,” Catherine informs. “It’s been a long evening, and you heard Tommy – TK needs to rest.”
Owen hesitates, then nods as he leans down to hug his son. “If you need anything…”
“I’ve got what I need,” TK replies, smiling at Carlos.
Catherine smiles as well. “I hope you feel better,” she tells TK before looping her arm around Owen’s and tugging him toward the exit.
Carlos follows them to the door, then locks it before grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and returning to the couch. “TK…” His boyfriend is adorable when he wrinkles his nose like that. “You need to flush your system.”
“I know, but just the thought of drinking anything right now makes me wanna…”
Carlos relents as TK swallows a little too deliberately. “Maybe later then.” He sets the bottle on the coffee table as he sits, smiling when TK immediately snuggles against him. “Do you want to talk about what happened? Or take a shower? Or change clothes? Or maybe just go to bed?”
TK shakes his head. Eventually, he’ll want to do all those things, but right now – “I just want this.”
He just wants to feel Carlos’s arms around him, keeping him safe.
Carlos seems to understand as he holds TK a little tighter, pressing a kiss to his temple.