Chapter 247

Irene promptly cut Ricky short, disregarding his cries. "Don't give me that! Just tell me—do you still hold a grudge against me? Or did someone tell you to do this?!" Ricky quickly shook his head. "You're family, I'd never hold a grudge… Someone threatened me." "Who?" Irene asked sharply. Ricky took out his phone and gave it to her. "Look here—it's anonymous, so I don't even know who it is. I can't track the guys down, either." Irene glanced at the screen and frowned. "Your mom’s supposed to be in prison, isn't she?" "I checked. She's really gone," Ricky admitted, coming clean now that he has nothing to hide. "Every text sent to me was encrypted, and they're threatening me with my mother's life! I can't—" "So they told you to hurt Tommy?" Irene cut him short. Ricky nodded fervently. "Yes! They seemed to know every detail about me, and gave me the substance by mail. They told me it won't hurt Tommy, but I knew that it won't do him good either… S-So I just put in a small amount…"