Zero Days

by Ruth Ware

If you react, the person you’re talking to reacts back. First rule of social engineering: stay pleasant and others are much more likely to do the same.

“I didn’t change my name, if you must know.” Jeff smirked at that. “We both know I wouldn’t have stood for that, Cross.” Yeah, well Gabe isn’t an insecure dickhead with a patriarchy complex, I thought.

It was only when I came out into the chilly night air of the street that I felt it—the cold, wet patches under my arms, the sweat of pure panic. I was still afraid of Jeff Leadbetter. And maybe I always would be.

“He was still wearing his noise-canceling headphones. I think whoever killed him—whoever killed him, they must have come up from behind and—”

I’ll make you regret this, you stupid cunt. If I can’t have you, no one can.

“God, I just realized, I’ve probably drunk too much to drive,” Cole said as I leaned over to refill first his glass, and then mine.

Was it him that did it?? Because why don’t I trust him..

And then he leaned down and kissed me.

“Wait, are you there right now??!!?!” Hel typed back, with an uncharacteristic number of exclamation marks.

I would not answer that.

Because the voice on the end of the recording, the voice I had listened to again and again and again… that voice was Cole’s.

I knew it

“Jack?” it read. “Are you there? How did it go?!”

And then, as the caller spoke again, repeating her question with a sharper intonation, “Who is this?” I knew.

I believe that my husband was killed to keep him quiet, so please—be as loud as you can.”

“Can you not manage a bite for the sake of the baby?”

Ugh of course.. and as if a baby would survive all of that