He blew out a long breath. “Wow, that was close.”
“Good going with the antidepressant save. You’re totally acting like you’re on drugs, so it worked.”
“No problem. My natural personality is strange enough that people think that anyway.” Alex grinned at him before the smile faded. “Hey, what was with the funeral thing, though? I don’t want to plan a funeral.”
“But we should. Picture this…we visit Chris and plant the seeds of guilt in his mind. They grow and bloom until he attends the funeral. There you sit, missing Ava. A giant memorial picture of Ava stares back at him. He decides to confess to everything, the police nab him, Ava walks in triumphantly, shocking everyone.”
“Wow,” Alex said with a raise of his eyebrows. “I like that plan. Ava will, too. You’re good at this.”
Kyle grinned at him. “Thank you. Dad thinks I’m terrible at this stuff, but I like the drama, you know?”
“Me too,” Alex said with a bob of his head as he crossed the room to retrieve the pearl brooch. “Hey, I changed my mind. I think I want to go back up to the cabin first,thengo guilt Chris.”
Kyle poked a finger at him. “We can tell Ava the plan. We need to keep Chris front and center at the funeral. You play up the grieving widower thing. Maybe break down during the eulogy. We’ll get Ava’s take on it.”
“Yeah,” Alex said with a nod. “If we can get out of here. I feel like Julia and Grant are wardens. How did Sierra get away with so much at home?”
“I don’t know. She doesn’t get away with much with Julia around. Also, Julia hates my plans, too, so…I don’t get away with much either.”
“Well, I like your plans. Now, come up with one to get us out of this house again.”
“We’re just going to have to go for it. Sneak out and hope they’re in bed.”
Alex unlocked his door and peered into the hall. “Coast is clear.”
He crossed back to his laptop and pulled up the security cameras. “Foyer’s clear. Let’s go.”
They hurried through the house as noiselessly as possible before they escaped through the front door and hurried back to the cars, Kyle climbing into his, and Alex doing the same.
Kyle followed him to the cabin. As Alex’s wheels bounced over the gravel drive, a shiver snaked down his spine.
The cabin loomed in the distance, dark and silent, sending the hairs on Alex’s neck standing up.
“You’ll see her in a few minutes. Stop being weird,” he murmured to himself.
They reached the cabin, finding it dark. Alex climbed out of his car, crossing to it as Kyle eased his vehicle to a stop.
As he climbed the porch, Alex’s heart pounded harder against his ribs. The front door hung open. He stepped inside, his pulse racing. “Avs?”
He received no answer. “Ava?”
He hurried to the dining room, finding evidence of the hurried surgery, but no one else.
The kitchen was empty, too.
As he raced back into the living room, Kyle entered. “What’s going on?”
“I can’t find them.”
“What?” Kyle asked as Alex took the stairs two by two.
“Ava!” he searched the upstairs bedrooms, finding no trace of anyone. As he stepped into the hall after checking the last space, his eyes wide, he glanced at Kyle, shaking his head. “They’re gone.”
CHAPTER 24
AVA
Her breath caught in her throat as she stopped the car short of the other, peering at the darkened house. She threw the shifter into park, her heart hammering against her ribs as she vetted the situation.
