“What about that beach house you have listed in Malibu?”
Again the fake laugh. “That? God, no. Cara hates water. Totally terrified of it. Even running for her life, she’d never hide at thebeach.”
That was when he knew.
Jordan got back in his vehicle and rolled down the window. “Unless you really want to complicate things, turn yourself in.”
As he drove, he played the podcast again. The background noise he thought had been the static of a cell phone call was more regular than he remembered. Like waves.
He called Wen. “I just thought you might like to know Cara spent the night at a beach house that’s being sold by Stephanie van der Lind. The address is easy to find.”
SEVENTY-SIX
CARA
You just know she’s going to kill herself on TikTok live.
—@socialmedpsychic414
If Ajila and company were innocent of Karl’s murder, then Cara was going back to jail. Exhausted and out of ideas, she drove toward the one remaining beacon of light in her life.
When she arrived at Magellan Independent Senior Living, she parked in the lot outside, located the code on the front gate directory, and was quickly buzzed in. Too impatient to wait for the elevator, she headed for the stairwell, taking the steps two at a time until she reached the third floor and knocked on B-307.
Aunt Evelyn didn’t look the least bit surprised when she opened the door. She just pulled Cara into her apartment and enveloped her in the warm, bosomy hug she so desperately needed.
“Oh, my darling girl!”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t contact you sooner. I just couldn’t.”
“I don’t imagine so. I’ve been watching all the coverage on television.”
Cara hugged her back tightly, her eyes filling with tears as she inhaled the comforting smells—vanilla, baby powder, and old-timey hair spray—of the woman she’d grown to love like a grandmother.
Evelyn released her from the hug but continued to hold her hands as she examined her carefully. “Bruised, bedraggled, and even thinner than I expected. I can’t even imagine what you’ve gone through.”
“I shouldn’t have survived it. But thinking of you helped get me through some of worst moments. The fact that you believed me when almost no one else did gave me strength.”
“No one else knows the things I know about who Karl was. And who you are.” Still holding one hand, Evelyn led her to the small but nicely appointed kitchen. “Let me make you a sandwich.”
“I can’t stay. It’s not safe—especially for you.”
“Nonsense.” Evelyn opened the refrigerator and pulled out deli-wrapped turkey, roast beef, and provolone. “The authorities already contacted me, and since I hadn’t seen or heard from you yet, I didn’t have to lie at all. I would have, of course.”
“The last thing I want to do is drag you into this mess.”
Evelyn’s wrinkles had wrinkles, but her bright blue eyes sparkled. “I can take care of myself. I’m also not above faking a bit of light dementia if I need to.”
“Who contacted you?”
“That sheriff from up north in Madera.”
“Jordan Burke?”
Evelyn nodded. “He told me he came down here to help out with the search.”
“Another reason for me to get out of here ASAP.”
“Where are you going next?”
