A low exhale filtered through the connection.
“Always straight to the point.”
“Old habits,” Brook replied, the words carrying more weight than she intended.
“Look, it’s probably nothing,” Scotty said after clearing his throat. “But my mom went to the cemetery yesterday to put flowers on Dad's grave. She said there was a man standing at Sally Pearson's tombstone.”
Sally.
Brook’s chest began to ache.
Discovering that Jacob had stolen Sally’s head from her grave before it had decomposed and somehow transported it to Alaska had been beyond disturbing. He’d kept that part of her frozen for decades, planning and strategizing for a way to lure Brook to the site for…well, she wasn’t sure what had been behind such a thought process.
The ice cave collapse had robbed Jacob of whatever reunion he’d created in his head.
“Mom said when she got closer, the man walked away,” Scotty continued, his voice dropping lower as if he were afraid of being overheard. “He didn't turn around, just left and keptwalking, even when she called after him. He left a bouquet of flowers.”
“Sally has a lot of family members. Friends. Why are you calling me, Scotty?”
“Mom mentioned that the man had a slight limp.” Scotty’s pause spoke more than his words. “Like I said, probably nothing, especially since the FBI thinks your brother died in Alaska.”
“If you thought it was nothing, you wouldn't be calling.”
Another pause.
“You're right,” Scotty admitted quietly. “I wouldn't.”
Through the store window, Brook observed Bit pull his beanie lower as he prepared to brave the cold again. He collected two bags of snacks and energy drinks, as well as her English Toffee Cappuccino off the counter. She glanced at the dashboard clock, calculating the time needed for an impromptu trip.
Harrowick to Morton was approximately six-and-a-half hours by car.
The second wave of the storm wasn't predicted to hit until Sunday night. If she left early tomorrow morning, she could reach Morton by early afternoon. She could then be back in Harrowick by tomorrow evening. The team was more than capable of continuing the investigation without her for sixteen hours.
“Brook? Are you still there?”
“Yes.” She made her decision in that moment, a snap judgment based on years of experience hunting her brother. If he hadn’t wanted to be seen, he wouldn’t have. "I’m in Ohio on a case. How long are you in town for?”
“Monday,” Scotty replied warily. “I’m driving down to Florida to spend some time with my oldest son. Why?”
Bit pushed through the store's doors, the cold air immediately causing him to hunch his shoulders. He made his way to the passenger side door of the SUV.
“Meet me tomorrow at Aunt Ginny’s Cafe at noon.” Brook slowly exhaled some of her tension after voicing her decision. “We’ll have a quick lunch, and then afterward…we’re going to visit Sally’s grave.”
24
Theo Neville
January 2026
Saturday – 8:12am
Theo sat on the edge of his bed, phone on speaker as he tied his boot laces with quick, efficient movements. He’d already downed the smoothie that he’d purchased from a grocery store yesterday on the way back from Crescent Ridge, and he was already looking forward to enjoying a cup of coffee. Though the cabins were warm enough, there always seemed to be a slight chill in the air.
“I still think this is a mistake,” Theo said, tugging the laces tight with a sharp pull. “I should have gone with you.”
Brook was already two and a half hours into her drive from Ohio to Illinois. He didn’t agree with her decision, and he’d made that known last night.
“Jacob being spotted means he meant to be seen,” Theo stressed, reiterating his statement from their previous conversation. “And don’t you find it odd that if it was Jacob, he didn’t get caught on camera somewhere? Even Morton has streetcameras, Brook. You could very well be walking into a trap. Voluntarily, I might add.”
