“That fucking monster of a toilet is in the dumpster,”Jackwheezed as he filled the doorframe. “Iswear it was made of lead.”Hisbrows knitted together. “What’sthat?”
“I found another letter,”Isaid asIhanded it over.
Jack skimmed the page. “Damn.That’sromantic as hell.”
A laugh slipped. “Nodates or historic events for a timeline though.NoletterAmarking where it was hidden.”
“Where’d you find it?”
“It fell out from behind the mirror.”
Jack squeezed into the matchbox bathroom beside me and inspected the mirror. “Wereyou planning on keeping this?”
“Um . . .”Ichewed on my lip. “It’snot my favorite, but it’s not atrocious.”
He ripped the mirror straight out of the wall. “I’llget you one that you like.”
“You’re fixing that,”Isaid asIpointed to the drywall holes.
ButJackwasn’t paying the wall any mind. “Well, would you look at that?There’syour letterA.”
An old envelope was stuck to the back of the mirror.Aseal in crimson red with an ornate letterApressed into the wax held it closed.Timeor humidity must have degraded the adhesive on the edges because it looked like the letter had fallen right out of the bottom.
“Do you still have the other two?”Jackasked.
“They’re in the living room beside my laptop,”Isaid asIskimmed the letter again, hoping for some kind of answer to magically appear.
“Bring them.”
I glanced up. “Bringthem where?”
He lifted an eyebrow likeIwas being intentionally dense. “Itold you.I’mtaking you out.”
Three minutes later,Iwas in the passenger’s seat ofJack’struck with the letters in my lap and racing questions in my head.
First, where was he taking me?Second, was there going to be food?Ihoped there would be food.Orat least caffeine.Myearly morning cup of coffee was wearing off, andIwas starting to crash.
My one-street world, marked by theMermaidCourtstreet sign, zipped by asJackpulled out onto the main road that led in and out ofCedarIsland.Butinstead of going farther up the peninsula toward the fire station andErnie’sFish‘nFuel, we headed south.
Thick trees were the puppet masters as shadows from the branches danced around the cab of the truck.Jackstretched his arm across the back of the bench seat.Hiscalloused fingers grazed my bare shoulder.Itwas like a match sliding against the striking surface of the box.Sparksflitted across my skin with each passive touch.
“Penny for your thoughts?”Jack’sbaritone sliced through the haze.
What the hell?
I let go and rested my head on his outstretched arm. “Justcurious where my kidnapper is taking me.”
Jack chuckled, keeping a one-handed grip on the steering wheel. “IfI’mkidnapping you, you’ve made two dire mistakes.”
“I’ve seen your face and you’re taking me to a second location,”Irecalled from years of book research.
Jack looked horrified. “Whydo you know that off the top of your head?”
“You’re forgettingIused to write that stuff.”
He let an amused hum slip. “I’mnot kidnapping you,Roar.”
“So where are you taking me?”
