Page 35 of Forever Gone

“I’m the owner.”

“Still your job.”

Selena held out the key.

He accepted it with a smile. “Anything for a high school buddy.”

Eric came around the counter and followed her outside. The evening had cooled, and a breeze carried dry leaves across the edge of the lot.

As they approached Room Five, he said, “I heard through the grapevine there were police over at the old Montgomery place.”

“You know I can’t tell you anything official.”

“I figured you’d say that.”

“How developed is this grapevine?” Selena asked.

“Somebody saw the coroner’s van. By lunch, half of Elmsview knew there’d been a death. The other half probably knows who did it.”

“And they’ll all name different people.”

“That’s what makes local gossip dependable. Covers every possibility.”

Eric pushed the key into the lock. It stopped at the same point.

He drew it back slightly, struck the door beside the handle with the heel of his hand, then turned the key. The lock opened.

Selena stared at him. “That’s your repair?”

“It’s a temporary adjustment.”

“You hit the door.”

“Years of experience taught me exactly where.”

Eric pushed it open and handed back the key.

“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” he said. “So, Saturday night?”

“I’ll think about it, Eric.”

“That’s better than no.”

Selena stepped inside. The room had not changed since morning. The bedspread remained smooth, and the framed lake above the dresser continued to promise scenery far better than anything visible from the window.

“Good night.”

“Good night, Selena.”

She closed and locked the door.

The room’s quiet felt different from the school’s. Smaller. Contained. Filled with several boxes on the floor shipped from Washington, D.C. Belongings waiting for a home. A real home. Selena placed her bag on the chair and sat on the edge of the bed without removing her jacket.

Her phone vibrated.

A message from Meg waited on the screen.

NEW AGENT ARRIVING TOMORROW. BE NICE.