Dad’s truck was gone when I pulled up to the cabin. I hadn’t told him about the man outside the lookout last night and only warned him of my early arrival once I’d left the trailhead.
He replied a few minutes later.
Dad
No problem. I’m on two twenty-fours this week, staying at the base in town to sleep in between. I’ll be back in a few days. Keep in touch and take care.
Oh, I banged up my knee pretty good splitting wood before my shift, and left some first aid supplies out on the bathroom sink. No need to worry.
I frowned down at the last text before digging around in the front pocket of my backpack for my keys. Stepping through the front door, I was struck by how odd it was to be there alone. In such a small space, Dad’s absence was noticeable, and despite being able to lock myself inside four solid walls that weren’t made of glass, I still felt vulnerable. Unsafe.
Almost as if the killer could watch me still, even now.
I wish Charlie were here.
Shaking my head, I tossed my bag by the couch. He needed to rest.Ineeded to rest, too. I could feel the brain fog and muscle tension that preceded a migraine setting in.
I stepped into the small bathroom to take a piss, but backpedaled at the mess I found.
Blood-soaked tissue and gauze filled the sink, with dried droplets splattered all over the counter and tile floor. A pack of bandages was left open, along with disinfectant and various tools used to stitch wounds closed.
“What the fuck did he do to himself?” I mumbled aloud. He must’ve been hurt badly if he’d needed stitches, and rushed out for work before he cleaned up the aftermath.
I sighed heavily. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d avoided going to an emergency room when he really should’ve, and itdidn’t bode well for future conversations about safety and taking care of himself as he aged.
Shaking my head, I piled the soiled tissue and dressing into the trash and cleaned off the counter and floor, clearing enough room to set my toiletries. Then, I stepped into the small, stand-up shower and let the hot water wash away the tension in my neck and shoulders.
A few minutes later, clean, dry, and changed into a fresh set of clothes, I crashed onto the sofa, threw an arm over my eyes to block out the light, and tried to nap.
Except all I could think about was Charlie, and that the day or two of buffer I thought we had before we met with Tate’s grandmother was gone.
Tonight. It was all happening tonight. I could lose him tonight. I could figure out how to keep him tonight.
I already missed him, and we hadn’t even been apart for a full day. What would I do if?—
No.
No. I couldn’t go there, not even hypothetically.
I rolled and pressed my face into the cushions. The dichotomy of possibilities was impossible to manage—to actually feel. The muscles that’d loosened under the hot shower spray tensed again, pulling my neck and shoulder tight.
Ding.
I patted around for where I’d set my phone next to the couch and pulled up the incoming message.
Bobby
Are you back in town? Heard something happened up at the trailhead. Everything alright?
I frowned. How did Bobby know about that so quickly? And hadn’t he been the one to call me when Janine was reported missing, too?
It was time to nip those questions in the bud. Besides, seeing Bobby was infinitely better than spiraling about what might or might not happen later with Charlie.
Yeah, can I come see you?
Sure, come on over. Molly just went down, though, so if you ring the doorbell, I’ll murder you.
“You look like shit,” I said.
