But then, not too long afterward, I learned something else about Griff – and not from Ryder.
71
You Call That Knocking?
Tessa
Inside the bike shop, the lights were blazing. But from my spot on the sidewalk, I saw no signs of life. I leaned close and stared in through the big front window, spotting the usual displays and a couple of bikes, but no Maisie.
Without looking away, I murmured, "Maybe she's working in the back?"
Next to me, Ryder only laughed. "At 3 a.m.? I doubt it."
First off, he didn't know Maisie like I did. And second off, this was no laughing matter. I pulled away from the window and gave him a look. "But what if she's hurt? Shedoeswork with tools, you know."
"I wouldn't call Griff a tool," he said, obviously joking.
I was too concerned to appreciate the humor. "You're not taking this seriously at all."
His voice softened. "Hey, I wouldn't be joking if I thought she was in trouble."
"But how do you know she isn't?"
"Look at the shop," he said. "It's perfectly fine. The window's unbroken, the shop's locked up tight, and I don't see any blood, so…"
I didn't know whether to laugh or wallop him. "Just because there's no blood doesn't mean she's fine."
Already, Ryder had tried the doorknob, and yes, he was right. The shopwasperfectly secure. Or maybe not, because Ryder said, "I can get in if you want."
"How?"
He glanced toward the door. "It's a simple lock."
I stared. "What are you saying? You'd pick it?"
"Sure, if you want me to."
I couldn't even tell if he was joking, but my answer was the same either way. "Before we even try knocking?" And then, to make my point, I moved toward the door and gave it three quick raps.
Ryder scoffed. "You callthata knock?"
My chin lifted. "Yes, actually."
"Sure, if you're heading to a garden party. But if she's in the back, there's no way she's gonna hear."
"Oh." On this, he actually had a point. And I was just about to suggest that we circle around to the rear entrance when Ryder reached out and hammered the door like he was trying to break it down.
When nothing happened, he knocked again, even harder this time – and again, after that. He kept at it, loud and relentless, like he meant to wake the dead.
He was still knocking when I returned to the window and cupped my hands around my eyes to watch for movement inside.
But when I finally saw it, I felt my eyes go wide. The door leading to the back room swung partially open, and I saw a dark silhouette framed in the light.
A person.
But it wasn't Maisie.
It was Griff.
