“And he knew you encouraged Sophie to go camping when she didn’t want to?”
I nod.
“And he knew she was inexperienced with guys and you encouraged to, as you said, tonot be so guarded?”
“Yes, but have you spoken to him?”
“We have.”
“So you know there’s nothing to worry about with him?”
Alderson and Greene stare at me, expressionless. Too blank, like they’re trying hard not to show their hand.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Greene says. “You need to be careful around everyone right now. Understand?”
“Yeah, I do. But I need a favor.”
“What’s that?”
I tell them that I can’t be an effective PI if I show up out there as a detective with a caravan in my rearview mirror.
I instruct them to tell Deputy Zane to follow my lead. Keeping an eye on my house is one thing, but tailing me everywhere is another.
A bit reluctantly, they agree.
What Idon’ttell them is I’m certain now, for sure, that I’m the one. I’m the target. It’s not only that they’re privy to someone locally who’s been aggressive and obsessive online, and that they want me in a safe house, too, it’s that I can’t be in denial anymore about these earrings.
Sure, a lot of tourists could have bought them. But the fact is, no one who also looks like the sketch who’s either confessed or contacted authorities has claimed to own a pair exactly like them, even with over a thousand of them out there.
I go cold all over.
I’ve been fighting it since the sketch came out. I haven’t wanted to voice it yet in my own head, but I no longer have a choice.
And that also means I’m certain as hell that I won’t be confined to quarters.
Chapter 25
After they leave, I check my phone.
Three calls from Wallace.
Four from Jess.
No voicemails. I call Jess back.
“So, they’ve been there twice?” Jess asks. Her tone is laced with anxiety.
“Yes, but it doesn’t mean anything. They’re checking on others, too. There’s a woman in Texas who may be the target.”
Fiona told Jess I called in the middle of the night. I don’t have anything to say to make that part better. “Yes, it was bugging me. But still, that doesn’t mean you should worry.”
“There’s no way not to. Look, maybe I should come over.”
“Absolutely not. You stay put with Sam. Promise me, Jess—for Sam—that you’re not coming over.”
“You are worried, then?”
