“Which we don’t want to do until we know who they are, right?” Ash asks.
“That’s my thought,” Hope says. “But, of course, we all need to make the decision.”
“It would probably be a hard thing to get the police or the FBI to investigate because they haven’t made any threats, right?” Caro asks. “They’re just lurking?”
“Exactly,” Hope says. “Though we can try. But again, then whoever it is will know.”
“How could you tell it was happening?”
“Like I said, it was about two weeks ago,” Hope says. “It was the call where we talked about the murder mystery where the husband takes his new wife to Palm Springs.” The others nod. “I was the last to leave. When you all exited, there was still a user on for a split second. It had a jargony, made-up name—LikeMe Host—and I thought, wait a minute, that’s not right.”
“Youmusthave a stalker again,” Ash says. “Who else would do this?”
“And we trust Jane?” Caro asks again.
“I mean, as much as I can,” Hope says. “But she doesn’t know about these phones. If you want, I can also send her out to have a look at your stuff.”
“No, thank you,” Ash says immediately.
“Why not?” Caro asks. “Maybe we could also figure out whosheis somehow.”
“We don’t have to make that call right now,” Hope says. “I wanted to get you thinking about all of this. Put you in the loop. We can talk and text as much as we want on these phones. But you’vegotto keep them secure.” She stands up, the view of the trees behind her shifting. “I want both of you to go and open a post office box. Don’t tell anyone about it. Text me the PO numbers, and I’ll send you each a new phone every week.”
“Hope, that’s too much,” Ash says. “How will we ever pay you back?”
“We’ll figure it out,” Hope says. “Don’t worry about that part for now.” She’s walking, and a bird flits by in the background behind her. “Right now, I need you both to think—hard—about the people in your lives who might want to stalk you or spy on you or hurt you.”
“Done,” Ash says. “There is literally no one in my life who would want to do those things.”
“Me either,” says Caro.
“I hate to say this,” Hope says, “but don’t be so sure.”
DAY SIX
Sunday
On the chalkboard outside the Sonnet resort main office
In honor of Hope Hanover, we will be showing her films today, beginning at noon and running until midnight. Our thoughts are with Hope, her family, and her friends.
44
PAGE
HOW MANY DAYS CANyou survive without food? I think it’s like a week. But that’s if you have a clean source of water, and if you don’t get hypothermia or heatstroke or sick or injured.
Better take more.
I’m stuffing my backpack full of snacks in the staff tent when Skye, Gareth, Mal, and Addie come inside.
I zip up the bag quickly, even though I’m not stealing. I don’t want them noticing how much I’ve taken or wondering why I’d need it all. “We’re one of the top three stories on CNN today,” Addie says. She reads from her phone. “‘Body Count Rises in Eden National Park After Tragic Flash Flood.’”
“That’s nothing,” Skye says. “Did you see TMZ? TheDaily Mail?Peopleagain?”
I have what I came for. I should go. But I want to know how much—and what—information is out there.
“Did you know thatHope Hanoverwas staying here?” Gareth asks me. He sounds accusatory.
