EVA
“They’ll be here soon,”Grace announces, running down the steps toward the open-plan kitchen of the Etheridge beach house in Sandbanks, Dorset.
It’s the only place in England, outside of London, where I knew I’d be able to land without any issues. On our private helipad. This was only my second solo flight, and I’m glad I had the adrenaline to keep me going. Landing was easy; I have done it many times. The walk to the beach house, not so much. Even with Caden and Grace helping me, it was pure torture for my feet, my soles crying with every step.
“Ouch. Careful,” I complain as Caden picks another splinter out of my foot.
“Then stay still,” he mutters.
“Are they bringing shoes?” I ask Grace, who nods with a smile. “Flat ones?”
“Yes, two pairs. And tons of food,” she adds to Caden. “Although I’m still sick from the flight.” She presses her stomach. “Thanks for not killing us, by the way.”
“Anytime,” I murmur, staring at my foot as Caden grabs abandage from the first-aid kit and wraps it around my foot. I still can’t quite look her in the eye.
“I can’t believe I let someone who got a dangerous on her driving test fly me.” Caden chuckles, shaking his head.
“Only the first time.” I roll my eyes. “I passed the second time around. And flying is ten times easier. There is no parallel parking or narrow country lanes with two-way traffic.”
“Okay, no more flying talk,” Grace complains. “I’m going to throw up again.”
Grace filled me in on the details of her kidnapping. Every word was a hit to the chest. I still can’t believe that happened. I was in the dark for so long, completely oblivious to the pain my friend was in because of me. The thought punctures holes inside my soul. I owe her for life. And then some.
Her phone rings in her hand, lips pursing when she looks at the screen.
“If that’s Daniel, hang up,” I bark.
“It’s not.” She holds it up.
Elton Etheridge.
“Hang up,” I tell Grace. I’m not ready to speak to anyone. Not until I straighten every thread of my tangled memories.
Grace cancels the call, then glances at me, slightly concerned.
“I want to see the video,” I announce. “And yes, I overheard you and Dan,” I add to Grace. Her eyes widen.
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea,” Grace mutters, lips quivering to find the right words to stop me. But no one is convincing me otherwise.
“I don’t care. I want to see it,” I insist, forcing my voice to hold steady even as my eyes threaten to spill.
Caden draws his laptop out of his bag, then works hiskeyboard, as Grace fidgets next to me. Then he slides it my way, watching with narrowed eyes.
“I’ll be in the lounge if you need me.” He gives me a knowing look, then walks away hesitantly.
Grace stays rooted beside me.
“I’ll be fine.” I manage a small smile. Her mouth opens once, then she bites her lip. “What?”
“You should know. The reason you were all there that night.” She glances at the laptop as if it were a hot plate. “It’s my fault.”
“What are you talking about?”
“They never found out who it was. I was… struggling,” she mutters, and my chest caves. “I told Uncle Rick about it, but I had no idea he would go to such lengths searching for…”
“Okay, stop right there.” I hold my palm up. “If anyone is completely faultless in any of this, it’s you. Dad would have gone to hell and back looking for answers either way, you know that.”
Grace half-smiles, then glances at the laptop again. “I’ll give you ten minutes, then I’m coming back to check on you, okay?”
