What we—the team, that is—really think, is that Sawyer should join Green Mountain Guardians. Not only did he go through all the same training as the rest of us, he’s also one of the most skilled marksmen I’ve ever seen. And we can trust him. Sawyer would be an asset to the team, if only he’d agree to join.
But he says he’s not ready. He says he doesn’t know if he ever will be.
I don’t say any of that to him, of course. I just say, “I remember how much help you were at my place. So I’m sure Knox appreciates the work you’re doing for him.” To change the subject, I ask, “So, are you visiting your parents for Christmas?”
A quick grimace moves across his face. “Yeah. Don’t get me wrong. I’m always glad to see them. But they act like I’m one broken eggshell away from snapping.”
It’s not the first time Sawyer’s mentioned how careful they are around him. And I get it. If my kid had been missing for years, presumed to be a traitor, and possibly dead, I’d worry about him, too. But I also understand Sawyer’s perspective. Hedoesn’t want his parents walking on eggshells. He just wants them to act normal.
“Well, if you want to blow off some steam beforehand,” I offer, “maybe we can get the guys together. Play some poker. Drink some beer. Watch some football and curse at the TV about it.”
Sawyer smiles. “And take time away from Angel? And her little girl? I don’t know about that.”
True, I don’t really want to spend a night away from her. But I also know I can’t be with Angel and Haley every night.
Not yet, at least.
Clapping his shoulder, I say, “Don’t worry about that. I always have time for you guys. I’ll send out a group text. See what everyone’s plans are.” Tapping my phone again to wake it, I open the messages app so I can text everyone.
But before I have one word typed, my phone rings.
It’s Alec.
My heart leaps into my throat. What if something’s wrong with Haley? What if she got hurt, and they’re on the way to get Angel from work, and?—
I jab at the screen to answer. “Alec. Is it Haley?”
He doesn’t answer for a second. Nausea rises.
Then he says, “Sorry. No. I just wasn’t expecting you to think… But I get it. Haley’s fine. She’s in the other room with Hazel.”
“Shit.” Relief makes it come out louder than I intended, and out of the corner of my eye, I notice Mrs. Ellison shooting me a dirty look. “What is it, then?” I ask more quietly.
“I just heard from my contact at the state forensics lab.”
“What do you mean?” I leave the display and head towards the back of the store, where it’s quieter. “I thought we already had all their results.”
“Most, yes.” Alec pauses. “But there was one thing. Remember the ladder? You mentioned it right after the break-in.”
“Shit.” I do remember mentioning the broken ladder when we met the day after the break-in. I’d been racking my mind, trying to figure out if there was some clue I missed; if there’d been any sign before then that Angel was in danger.
But I didn’treallythink the ladder was suspect. It was old, like Angel said, and it had been stored outside for years. I’d even checked the locking mechanism myself not long after she fell, and I didn’t notice anything suspicious—just some rusted metal that had broken after years of wear and tear.
But if I was wrong…
Feeling sick, I ask, “What did they find out about the ladder?”
“My guy said it looked like a normal break at first glance,” Alec replies. “Old metal, spots of rust, stripped screws… It was only after he got the metal under the microscope that he noticed something suspicious.”
“What?” But I have a feeling I already know.
“Striations that indicate the metal was tampered with. Sawed. Not enough to cut through the metal outright, but enough that it could break if weight was put on it.”
Like Angel trying to put lights on her house. Or climbing up to clean a gutter. Or fixing a loose shingle on the roof.
Angel, who took care of everything at her house. Who didn’t hire people to do the work because she couldn’t afford it. Who wouldn’tdreamof allowing her nine-year-old daughter up on an extension ladder.
“Why would Phil do that?” I start.
