The fear in his voice makes my heart race. Then the panic gives way to anger. “Don’t come near me.”
“Naomi—”
“I’m done!” I hang up. Close my eyes as they prick with tears. I’d trusted him with everything, and he’d lied to me. The hurt rushes up inside again, stinging my heart, spreading outward across my shoulders. He said helovedme. And that, too, was a lie.
They’re coming for you.
I’m not safe here. I need to leave. Now.
I’m rushing toward the front door when a voice makes me jump.
“You okay?” Zee stands in the hallway in a sleep shirt, her hair wrapped for bed. “That sounded rough.”
I shake my head, fighting tears. “I’m fine. I’m staying a couple nights in the city. You could come with me.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Trey’s coming over.”
“Okay. Good.” I nod. “I’ll be back Saturday. Where’s Amy?”
“She’s with friends,” Zee says. “I’ll keep trying Marta.”
I’m halfway out the door when she stops me. “And, hey—” she says. I turn and meet her worried gaze. “Be careful, okay?”
—
The train shrieksout of the station. I stare blankly at the passing factories and old buildings as it surges toward the city. It’s the first time I’m alone with my thoughts, and they buzz loudly through my skull. Why am I running? So I don’t have to face the truth?
Matthew and his friends were lying, stealing, cheating, and he’d do anything to make sure it doesn’t come out. That much is clear.
—
I close myeyes and pin my head to the back of the seat, concentrate on the movement of the train, my chest so tight I feel like I might pass out.Focus. Think of the options.
We could go to theTimes,force them to take us seriously. At leasthave them expose Greystone, even if we couldn’t yet prove the murder. That could buy us more time to convince Marta to help us. I could go to Maya, make her tell me the truth…but not after what Kai told me. Not after knowing that it could land her in prison.
A few moments later, I get the disquieting feeling that someone is staring at the back of my neck, and my eyes bolt open.
Reflected in the glass, there he is, standing right behind me.
I whip around, ready to fight for my life. But the man in the aisle is not Matthew DuPont. The man looks at me like I’m crazy and continues down the aisle, glancing back over his shoulder like I might follow him, steal his wallet. Ha. I look down the aisle, scanning the downturned faces for DuPont, but he’s not there.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Maya
August 2023
I leave Dani with Daisy’sau pair, who takes the girls out of the house, and when I enter the kitchen, Margaret rushes over and grabs my hands. Margaret’s usual sleek black bob is unkempt, on her face a look of barely contained panic.
“I’m going to call my lawyer. Remember, you don’t have to say anything.” A cold sweat breaks out over my brow.
Detective Gary strides into the room. He smiles. “Hello again, Ms. Banks. May I have a word?”
—
Harsh light filtersin past the shutters in the upstairs study. Seeing the red leather chair, I suddenly remember how Sara Vail’s hand had gripped it when I saw her and Matthew arguing. Detective Gary takes a seat in one of the chairs and gestures for me to sit across from him.
“Ms. Banks, I want to give you a chance to tell us what really happened last night.”
