“The previous owner of Black Wood?”
“Yes,” I gabble. “Her name was Amanda, and she went missing. You can look her up, can’t you?”
“What was her last name?”
“I don’t know,” I say, quickly changing the subject, “but she lived at Black Wood last year.”
Over the phone, I can hear the rustling of papers. “Are you sure that was her name?”
My heart sinks. I remember smoking in the parking lot with Amanda’s boyfriend. He’d said,I don’t even know if “Amanda” was her real name.
“No.”
“Okay, well,” the cop says slowly, “I’ll fill out a break-in report for you.”
I grip the phone helplessly. “Forget it.”
I hang up.
Chapter 29
Adria’s office smells like vanilla and fear. I settle awkwardly into the chair opposite her, pulling my smart black jacket tighter, and place my hands demurely in my lap so she doesn’t see them tremble. Keep it together, I tell myself. Don’t let her see how crazy you are.
The last time I was in here, Adria was grasping my hand like she didn’t want to let me go. Now she smiles grimly at me from across her desk, like I’m a problem she wants solvedright now.She’s a small woman, all delicate bones and tiny hands. Nestled between her collarbones is a golden heart-shaped pendant. When she shifts in her seat, the light catches it, and it glints like a mirror.
Or a knife.
Adria clears her throat, and I hold my breath.
“Sarah,” she begins, clasping her tiny hands on the desk, “I’d like to—”
“Am I being fired?” I blurt out.
Silence. I sit on my hands, willing them to stop trembling.
Adria leans back in her chair. Here it comes. Benita strolls past the office window, carrying a stack of envelopes. She raises a hand to knock on Adria’s door but Adria frowns and shakes her head. We watch Benita shuffle away, no doubt to tell my colleagues that I’ve been called into the boss’s office.
“I think it would be a good idea for you to”—she pauses—“have a bit of a break.”
“I’m fine,” I protest.
Silence again. God, I wish she’d speak. I exhale slowly, a headache pinching my skull.
“You’ve been under a lot of stress,” Adria says calmly. “I think a break would be good for you.”
I don’t. I need this paycheck. How the hell am I supposed to make the mortgage payments without an income?
I press my lips together so she can’t see them shaking. I lean forward. “I know I’ve missed a few days lately—”
“You’ve missedfourteenin the last three months,” she says stiffly.
Wow, thatisa lot. My skull throbs. I press my palm against my temple, willing the headache to go away. “Please,” I begin nervously, “I really—”
Knock, knock.
I jump in my seat, letting out a startled cry. Adria notices, her eyes never leaving mine.
“Come back later!” She almost yells it, and I jump again. I feel like I’m about to burst out of my skin.
