Lies I Told(25)

“I didn’t get a look inside, but I did scope out the old carriage house in back.”

“And?”

I shrugged. “It’s just an empty room. The walls are wood with no insulation. I could see the sun shining through them, so there’s definitely no place to hide a safe or panic room. It looks like it hasn’t been used for ages.” I hesitated, deciding to leave out my conversation with Rachel. It didn’t really change anything. “I did spot cameras in the trees along that old driveway, though. The one that runs next to the grass.”

He grabbed the sketch pad and handed it to me. “Show us.”

I drew a rough sketch of the Fairchild property, feeling like a traitor with every stroke of the pen. There was the house, the lawn, the big driveway that segued into the narrow, old one leading to the carriage house.

“I spotted them here.” I marked the cameras along the drive, finishing with the one right in front of the carriage house. “And here.”

“Good.” My dad nodded his approval. “Anything else?”

I shook my head, and my mother smiled knowingly. “Well, Logan really seems to like you. I’m sure you’ll be invited back to the Fairchilds’ soon.”

For a split second, pride at a job well done overcame the guilt in my mind.

“How’s it going with Leslie Fairchild?” my dad asked.

My mom laughed a little. “Let’s just say I’ll be volunteering, baking cookies, and covering up my cleavage for the foreseeable future.”

“Whatever it takes,” he said. “I’m having Allied quote us a security system like Warren’s. Everyone wants what everyone else has in a place like this. Allied will spill the details of the Fairchilds’ system if it means a new client. I’m also working on how to transport and sell the gold once we find it. In the meantime, Warren’s been generous with his recommendation. I’m expecting the club to approve my application any day. After that, it’ll be easy to score more time with him on the course.”

“Is he really . . .” I hesitated, not sure which word to use.

“Crazy?” my dad finished.

I nodded. “I guess.”

He thought about it. “He has some irrational fears, but I don’t think you’d notice if you weren’t looking for it.”

“Fears?” I pictured the friendly husband and father manning the grill at the Fairchilds’. “Like what?”

“He won’t use a golf cart, for one. Insists on walking. He claims he likes the exercise, but he gets nervous when someone else drives by in a cart. And he stares at the electrical wires a lot.”

“What do you mean?” my mother asked.

“Just what I said. I’ll look over and he’ll be standing there, staring at the power lines like he expects them to fall any second. It’s a wonder he manages to go anywhere at all.”

There was a strange ache in my chest at the thought of it. Warren Fairchild wasn’t what I’d expected. He was just a regular guy, struggling with something dark inside himself, which made him more like the rest of us than I wanted to admit.

“Well!” My mom smiled. “It sounds like we’re on track.”

My dad nodded. “I’d say so. Details are the name of the game now. We need as many of them as possible. About the Fairchilds, their schedule, the house, the security system . . . anything and everything. As always, we don’t know what will make a difference when the time comes to make our move. Until then, proceed as planned. And remember”—he leveled his gaze at Parker—“no one talks about the job outside of this room.”

Parker nodded stiffly as everyone stood.

I tore out the sheet of paper depicting the layout of the Fairchild property and fed it through the shredder. Our parents were already locked in their bedroom by the time I followed Parker out of the War Room.

“Parker . . .” I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to thank him for looking out for me, but all that came out was, “Everything will be all right.”

He turned to face me. “Just think about what I said, okay?”

He didn’t wait for my answer, just walked into his room and closed the door.





Nineteen


I was heading to my usual table on Monday, surprised to see Selena sitting alone, when Logan waved me over. Liam, David, and Raj were there, and Olivia, Harper, and Rachel. Olivia smiled as Harper moved over to make room. Rachel was the only one who looked less than thrilled. But it didn’t matter. Too many of the others wanted me there now.

I glanced from Selena, head bent over a book, back to Logan’s table. I didn’t have a choice. Infiltrating Logan’s group was what I’d been working toward since my first day at Playa Hermosa High. It was my part of the job and one of the most important components of the con.

But Selena was my friend. My only friend. And they didn’t exactly grow on trees. Not for me, anyway.

I looked at Logan and mouthed the words Hold on.

Then I headed to Selena’s table.

She looked up as I approached. “Hey!” She closed her book. “How was the bonfire?”

“Well, I have good news and I have bad news,” I said, still standing. “Which do you want first?”

“Um . . .” Her forehead wrinkled with concern. “The good news?”