Page 103 of Forever Gone

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Connor locked the screen. “Yeah. I just have to take care of something.”

“What is it?”

“Nothing you need to worry about.”

His reply came too quickly. Connor opened the SUV and climbed in.

“Goodnight,” he said through the open door.

The engine started. He reversed from the space before Selena could press him again, then drove toward the exit.

Kelly followed the taillights until they vanished behind the building.

“What was that about?”

“I don’t know.” Selena got behind the wheel. “But I have a bad feeling about it.”

*

The Wilson Motel sign threw red light across the empty spaces nearest reception.

Selena pulled up outside Kelly’s room. Eric’s office television glowed behind the blinds, though the volume had been reduced to a murmur. Kelly collected her bag and opened the door.

“See you in the morning,” she said.

“Seven-thirty.”

Kelly stepped out. Selena remained behind the wheel.

At the room door, Kelly turned. “You’re not coming?”

“No. I have to do something.”

Kelly shifted the strap of the bag higher on her shoulder. “I can see why you and Connor got married. You’re both as cryptic as each other.”

Selena started the engine. “Goodnight, Kelly.”

“Goodnight.”

The sedan rolled out of the lot.

A message from Jessie had arrived that afternoon while Selena was arguing over language for the warrant.

Hank’s tonight if you can. Got something to show you.

Selena had replied that she might be late. Jessie had answered with a photograph of the chip resting in her palm.

One year.

The invitation had remained in Selena’s mind through the evening, crowded by HearthSpace, murder records, and Connor’s reaction to the message on his phone. She considered following his SUV. Connor knew her car and would notice within minutes. Seeing Jessie felt more useful than chasing him through Harlan County without knowing where he was headed.

After a text confirmed Jessie was at the diner, a ten-minute drive later brought the red neon outline of Hank's Red Hot Diner into focus beyond a line of old pine trees.

Only three vehicles occupied the lot at this hour. The main sign had been switched off, but light remained in the front windows. Selena parked near the entrance.

The bell above the door rang as she went inside.