“Proud of you, Will. You’re kicking ass, as usual,” Ledger says.
After he took over guardianship of Lennox and me, he’s been the best role model I think anyone could ask for. So when he says he’s proud, he really means it, and he tells me after every single book gets written.
“Still haven’t heard why you are here, working behind the counter,” Rina continues as if no other part of the conversation happened.
“I’m helping out Oakley, who’s … sick today. I offered, and he agreed, that’s all.” I’m not lying about us, per se, I’m more lying about the fact that there is a serial torturer in the area going after him. And I’m not supposed to know about that, so he’s sick.
And here comes my anxiety.
“Sure, sure,” she murmurs.
“How’s Arlo?” I ask in retaliation. It’s the only thing that shuts her up, and it’s a dick move on my part, but I don’t want to talk about Oakley. Not when my heart is beating too fast and a bead of sweat is running down my back, all because I’m worried about him.
“Well, this was fun,” Ledger cuts in because he knows a full-blown fight usually comes next if we continue our needling. “Let us know if you need anything today. Ainsley and I are just doing administration work.”
“And I’ll be at my workshop working on that custom order, so just call me.”
“Will do. Sorry I didn’t text you guys when I finished up the book. This one was rough.”
“No worries. We’ll see you Sunday, and we can hear all about it?” Rina asks.
“Absolutely. You guys want coffee?” I ask, realizing we’ve just been standing at the counter, talking.
“Nah, we just came in to see you,” Ledger says as he turns around.
Rina hangs back, waiting until he’s through the door to spin around.
“I need all the details later of everything going on between you and Oakley. Call me, or I will hunt you down.” She spins and is out the door before I can even start laughing.
When I finally stop laughing, my anxiety comes back in full force. Tennison being so close has my hackles raised, even though I’m surrounded by people I know.
I wonder how the guys are doing and if they’re any closer to figuring things out. They should talk to Lennox since he knows the damn park better than anyone.
Speaking of Tennison and the park, a memory sparks in my head.
I may not work in the park, like Lennox, but I grew up here and practically lived there when Lennox and I were trying to get some space from our siblings after our parents died.
A beat-up, old cabin sits on the eastern end of the park, where they got the tip about the car. It’s hidden away, and you have to know its existence to find it, but it is possible to find it. Lennox and I would go there if we wanted to be alone, and I always brought a book. I’m not even sure if it’s still standing, but it’s the only actual building there not taken care of. The rest are all official properties that are looked after religiously, and they’re at the entrance of the park.
That’s it.
I don’t even think, I just scramble to pull my phone out and find Oakley’s name, hitting dial as I walk back to his office.
The phone rings and rings, and rings with no answer. My panic level is through the roof now. He would answer for me; I know he would.
I switch plans because for, some reason, this stupid little dilapidated cabin feels important to everything. Pulling up Arlo’s number next, I call him.
“Everything okay, Willow?” he asks after the second ring.
“Yes, no. No, but I think I have an idea of where Tennison could be hiding out.”
“Willow—”
“There’s a cabin on the eastern side, almost dead center on the property line. No one knows it’s there, and if he found it, it’s the perfect spot for…” I can’t bring myself to say it.
“We’ll look into it. Thanks for the information. And Will?”
“Yeah?”
