Knockemout, #3
Things We Left Behind
by Lucy Score
Contents
36
Overview
Sloane’s third date with Kurt ends with mutual honesty: Kurt still loves Sloane’s sister Maeve, and he and Sloane agree to be friends. A masked man then attacks Sloane, warning her to drop Mary Louise’s case. Sloane finds Mary Louise injured and suddenly refusing help, confirming broader threats. Nash moves to secure protection via Lucian while Sloane asks him to keep her attack private.
Summary
Sloane meets Kurt for their third date but struggles with anxiety about intimacy and unresolved feelings for Lucian. When pressed, Sloane admits her turmoil; Kurt reveals he’s still in love with Sloane’s sister, Maeve, after a secret summer fling. Acknowledging they can’t move forward romantically, they part amicably as friends.
In the parking lot, a masked attacker grabs Sloane, covers her mouth, and delivers a warning to leave Mary Louise Upshaw’s case alone, pressing a paper against her chest before fleeing. Shaken, Sloane calls Nash for help.
Nash brings Sloane to visit Mary Louise in a privately run, decrepit prison. They find Mary Louise bruised, with her arm in a sling from a cafeteria altercation. Frightened, Mary Louise begs them to stop all efforts on her behalf and says she’ll serve the rest of her sentence, implying threats without naming anyone.
Outside, Nash connects Sloane’s attack and Mary Louise’s assault, concluding the danger extends to Allen and others tied to the case. He calls Lucian to secure immediate protection for Mary Louise and Allen. Sloane insists Nash not tell Lucian about her own attack and urges him to focus Lucian’s resources on keeping Mary Louise and Allen safe.
Who Appears
- Sloane WaltonProtagonist; ends romance with Kurt, is assaulted and warned off Mary Louise’s case, visits injured Mary Louise, seeks protection through Nash.
- Kurt MichaelsSloane’s date; admits he loves Maeve after a secret fling; agrees with Sloane to remain friends.
- Masked attackerUnknown man who restrains Sloane and warns her to abandon Mary Louise Upshaw’s case, leaving a final warning.
- Mary Louise UpshawInmate found bruised and in a sling after an altercation; frightened, asks Sloane to stop helping.
- Nash MorganPolice chief; escorts Sloane, deduces wider targeting, calls Lucian to secure immediate protection for Mary Louise and Allen.