Knockemout, #3
Things We Left Behind
by Lucy Score
Contents
2
Overview
Lucian returns to his childhood house, updates an FBI agent that a key witness tied to Anthony Hugo is missing, and wrestles with grief. Sloane confronts him with food and questions, but he withholds the truth and insists she keep his coat. After ensuring friends check on Sloane, Lucian hosts Knox and Nash, quietly monitoring Sloane’s place and honoring Simon. Lucian resolves to sell the house in spring, signaling an impending break from his past.
Summary
Snowed in at the house he despises, Lucian fields a call from FBI Special Agent Idler: Felix Metzer, a lead against crime boss Anthony Hugo, has vanished. Lucian promises more evidence and warns he won’t be an easy target, revealing his commitment to bring Hugo down for harming those he cares about.
Alone in the kitchen and fighting grief for Simon, Lucian remembers Simon helping him rebuild the house years ago. The doorbell interrupts: Sloane, still in funeral clothes and wearing Lucian’s coat, arrives with a burger and fries to “even the score” for his earlier burrito. She probes why Karen treated him like family and what he’s hiding; Lucian refuses to answer and insists she take the coat despite her reluctance.
When Sloane asks if he’s there for her, Lucian denies it, and she leaves after he admits he’ll sell the house in spring. Lucian texts Karen—who is at a spa—and then alerts Naomi that Sloane is alone, prompting Naomi and Lina to head over.
Lucian dodges a call from his friend Dr. Emry Sadik, then answers; they discuss Lucian’s anger and the compounded loss of Simon and Lucian’s father, Ansel. Emry presses about Sloane; Lucian stays evasive.
Knox and Nash Morgan arrive with their dogs and drinks to keep an eye on the women next door. Lucian reluctantly joins, pulls up an exterior camera facing Sloane’s house, and they toast Simon. As Naomi and Lina make margaritas with Sloane, the men settle in with a movie, while Lucian maintains distance, masks his concern, and clings to his plan to sever ties with the house in spring.
Who Appears
- Lucian RollinsWealthy neighbor; coordinates with FBI on Hugo, mourns Simon, clashes with Sloane, insists she keep his coat, plans to sell house.
- Sloane WaltonGrieving daughter; brings Lucian dinner to repay him, confronts his secrecy, leaves with his coat after he pushes it on her.
- Special Agent IdlerFBI agent; reports Felix Metzer missing and presses Lucian for usable evidence against Anthony Hugo.
- Karen WaltonSloane’s mother; at a spa recovering, texts gratitude to Lucian and jokingly tries to matchmake.
- Simon WaltonDeceased neighbor and mentor; remembered for helping Lucian rebuild and for his final text requesting care for his family.
- Emry SadikPsychologist friend; calls to check on Lucian, frames his compounded grief, and teases out Sloane’s effect on him.
- Knox MorganFriend; arrives with beer to keep watch while the women gather with Sloane, toasts Simon.
- Nash MorganFriend; brings bourbon, monitors Sloane’s place with Lucian, discusses Naomi and Lina’s plans.
- NaomiNext door with Sloane; alerted by Lucian to keep her company and begins making margaritas.
- LinaWith Naomi at Sloane’s; part of the support team after Lucian’s warning.
- Anthony HugoCrime boss target of FBI and Lucian; case is endangered as a key witness disappears.
- Felix MetzerMissing lead tied to Hugo; disappearance threatens the investigation.
- Ansel RollinsLucian’s father; recently deceased, his death compounds Lucian’s anger and grief.