Part 18 (1/2)

”Yeah, but his partner, that Rich Meeker guy, might. He was practically spitting in my face. There was one point I thought he was going to hit me. And earlier today he was following me down the street.”

In the parking lot, Ruby chose a spot in the middle, balancing the need for protective coloration with the need for isolation.

”Keep your head down,” she said as they walked in. ”Even if the cops put someone in the security office to watch the feed, if you don't tilt your face up they might not notice you.” She walked over to a map of the mall. On the floor in front of it was a lost black glove. She picked it up and rested it on top, where it might attract more attention.

”There's a phone store on the other side.” She started off, but Nick didn't follow.

”What's the matter?”

”Um, I don't have any money. Not enough for a phone, anyway.”

”Don't worry. I'll cover it.”

”Are you sure?”

”Of course I am. You're my friend.” Even in the midst of everything, Ruby felt a warm glow saying the words.

As she and Nick walked past store after store, the lost glove stayed in her thoughts. It felt as if it were somehow connected to Lucy. It must remind her of the dead girl's lost mitten. That was it, wasn't it?

She was buying the new phone when it came to her. The guy was still counting out her change when she walked a few feet away. She barely registered his stare or Nick calling her name.

Because she knew why they had found Nick's DNA on Lucy. Found it on her even though he had never touched her.

CHAPTER 45.

K.

MONDAY.

LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER.

”Alexis Frost?” Kenny said as he moved against the current of students streaming out the school's front door. He had gotten her name from an online article about Portland SAR, one that had helpfully included a captioned photo. On her Facebook page, she listed the name of her school. On the school's web page, he had found the time school ended.

Pretty good detective work for a guy who was supposed to be slow. How many years had he let others define him? He should have defined himself.

”Yes?” She turned toward him, holding her phone. The way she tilted her head, curious but shy, reminded him of Lucy. He felt a momentary pang, but he pushed it away.

He remembered his role. Brisk. Compartmentalized. He was modeling himself on the people who had dealt with him after his mother died. In fact, under an open winter coat, he was wearing the same suit he had worn to his mother's funeral. Because it was a suit, he figured it made him look more official.

”I'm afraid there's been an accident.”

Her eyes went wide as a fawn's. Just as he had hoped, she filled in the blank so he didn't have to. ”Is it my mom?”

”I'm afraid so.” He nodded briskly. ”She's been taken to Good Sam. They asked me to come get you.” He had already turned and was walking away, as if certain she would follow. ”She's been asking for you.”

He heard her footsteps as she hurried to keep up with him.

Who was the smart one now? He had a girl following him, as meekly as a lamb.

Lamb to the slaughter.

CHAPTER 46.

ALEXIS.

MONDAY.

COULDN'T BE HAPPENING.

When the man told Alexis about her mom, she was parsing Ruby's text.

The cops want to arrest Nick. He's safe, for now. But we need to figure out how to prove they're wrong.

Did that mean Nick was with Ruby? Or that she had hidden him someplace? Was it better if Alexis didn't know the answers?

As soon as she heard that her mom was in the hospital, Alexis forgot about everything else. But by the time they reached the man's old blue pickup, her footsteps were slowing down.

”What's wrong with my mom exactly?” she asked.

”I told you, she's at the hospital. Now come on, we need to get there.” He stepped behind her and put a hand under her elbow. He was wearing gloves, even though his coat was unb.u.t.toned and it was about 40 degrees.

”Tell me what happened,” she demanded, turning away from him and stepping back.

”There was an accident. Your mom was driving and-”

”What?” she interrupted. ”We don't even have a car.”

His eyes narrowed. ”Listen to me,” he said, stepping toward her.

Alexis took another step back, but there was nowhere for her to go. The door handle jabbed into her lower back, and he was so close his knees crowded hers.

Instead of finis.h.i.+ng his sentence, he jabbed something into her rib cage. Something hard. She looked down. It was a gun.

This couldn't be happening to her, could it?

”Put away your phone,” he ordered.

Alexis obeyed. Mostly. But as she slid it into her purse, her thumb moved to the corner and tapped the spot that normally read ”Connect.” In her mind's eye, she pictured the next display and moved her thumb a quarter inch to the left. To where there should be a phone icon. She tapped again. If she had done it right, she was dialing Ruby. If she hadn't ...

”Get in the truck and then scoot over to the driver's seat. And don't try anything, or I'll shoot you.”