I’m coming for you, Elise.
51
ARIAH
“And you’re sure her parents are home?” I ask Shay.
We’re sitting on my bed as I scroll through Summer’s social media again. Another picture’s been uploaded. This time she’s outside of a club, and it was posted about a week ago.
When the news of Meagan’s death broke two weeks ago, I started keeping tabs on Summer’s accounts, but nothing suspicious has turned up.
“Yes, I saw Summer’s mom in town earlier today and followed her back to her house before coming here.”
This is perfect, with Thomas off training new security at the Tombs and my Dad at a meeting. Erik’s here with Antonio.
I grab Shay, tugging her in the direction of the stairs. Once we hit the landing, we make our way to the security room and wait until the door is opened.
“How can I help you, Miss Bradford?” Erik says, stepping outside.
It takes me a moment to realize he’s talking to me. “We need to, um, go to Summer’s house,” I state. His answer is the first test.
“What time do you want to leave?” Erik inquires, pulling out his phone and typing what I assume is a text to Thomas.
“I’d like to go now, please, if possible.”
His phone buzzes, and he checks it and replies before he responds. “Okay, let me get a small team together, and we can leave in ten minutes.” Then he turns and walks back into the room.
“Well, they aren’t trying to keep you from going over there. So that’s a good sign,” Shay offers.
I arch my brow, “Or they’re letting me go as a double-fake to make me think nothing’s wrong,” I surmise.
Shay shakes her head, “You need to stop watching crime shows. It’s making you sound paranoid.” She knocks her shoulder into mine before taking off for the coat room.
Chasing after her, we giggle as we grab our coats, and I explain my theory. “Seriously, think about it. It’s not like the people in this town aren’t above making Summer disappear and then posting pictures of her on social media to make it appear as if she’s traveling.”
Shay pauses before she continues to the car. “I’m not going to say it isn’t possible. The people in this town are capable of a lot of things. Which is why we’re going to talk to Summer’s parents.”
We arrive outside the Andersons’ estate. Antonio opens the rear passenger side door while Erik waits by the steps. I know it’d be too much to ask for them to wait outside, so I don’t even waste my time. Instead, I ring the bell and wait for someone to answer.
The lock disengages, “How can I help you?” A middle-aged woman with graying hair asks.
“Hi, I’m Ariah Bradford.” I throw in the last name, hoping it will prompt her not to close the door in my face immediately. “I was wondering if Mr. or Mrs. Anderson was home.”
Before she can answer, a deep voice sounds behind her, “Who is it, Denise?” Then a man steps into view, recognition filling his gaze. “How can we help you, Miss Bishop, or is it Bradford now?” he snarks.
I brush off his obvious annoyance with my presence.“Bradford is fine. I was wondering if I could speak to Mr. or Mrs. Anderson. We were trying to reach Summer. She’s been posting on social media, but she hasn’t been responding to any of our messages lately.”
“I’m Summer’s father, and don’t you think that if you haven’t heard from her, it means she doesn’t want to speak to you? Isn’t that how it works these days? You should take the hint, sweetheart,” he leers.
So much for tact.I take a breath, preventing my snark from making an appearance. It feels like he’s goading me. “We’re all just worried about her. She hasn’t been in touch with Sam either, and that’s unlike her.”
I swear I hear him mumble something about Sam being a spoiled cunt. “Summer is over this town, and she’s not coming back— you and all the people here need to let her be. You’ve all done enough,” he snaps, then slams the door in our faces.
“That went well,” Shay snorts, and we turn to head back to the car.
Just as we reach the bottom step, a vehicle pulls into the circular driveway. “Oh, that’s Summer’s mom,” Shay leans in and whispers.
Perfect.“Maybe she’ll be a little more forthcoming with how Summer’s doing,” I retort, standing by the SUV door.
