Now evidence.
“Is anyone on the island?” I asked.
“Not yet. That will change.”
Ellie crossed her arms.
She could not hear Rachel’s words, but she understood the shape of them.
“I can have a car at the cottage in forty minutes,” Rachel continued. “There’s a charter ready in Key West.”
“No.”
“Savannah.”
“I’m not leaving in forty minutes.”
“You’ve been identified. Ellie has been identified. If you stay, photographers will arrive.”
“I said no.”
Rachel went quiet.
When she spoke again, her voice was softer.
“Does Ellie know?”
I looked at her.
She stood several feet away now.
“Yes.”
“Everything?”
“No.”
“Then you need to decide what you’re doing before someone else decides for you.”
I hated when Rachel was right.
She was right too often.
“Give me an hour.”
“I can give you thirty minutes.”
“One hour.”
“Forty-five.”
“Rachel.”
“Fine. One hour. Then I’m calling again, and you are answering.”
She ended the call.
I lowered the phone.
