All the Dark Places(75)

She takes a deep breath. “I don’t know. The headlights were blinding me.”

Joe leans toward her. “Was it a car?”

She shakes her head. “No. It was bigger. A truck maybe or an SUV.”

“What color?”

“I couldn’t really tell.”

“Your best guess?”

“Black or dark blue?”

“Could it have been silver?” I ask.

“No. It was definitely a dark color.”

I feel my pulse kick up. “How about the driver? Was he alone?”

“Yes. It looked like it. I only saw one guy.”

“Did he get out of the vehicle?”

“ No.”

“Can you describe him at all? Anything?”

She shakes her head. “It was getting too dark, and the headlights were in my eyes.”

“Then what happened?”

She sniffs. “I started running really fast and thinking I would head out through the woods if he stopped. But then another car came down the road behind him, and he sped off.” She draws another deep breath.

“Did you tell Sheriff Skinner or anyone at the sheriff’s department?”

“No.” Her lips quiver. “Working here, I sometimes get guys hitting on me. No one local that I need to worry about, but sometimes guys from out of town get a little creepy. I guess I should’ve reported it.”

Joe smiles a kind fatherly smile. “You’re telling us now, Melissa.”

“Does that help?”

“It does indeed,” I say.

“I’m glad. I was starting to worry about it, and I was afraid Sherriff Skinner would be mad I didn’t say anything at the time.” She glances out the front window. “Is that all?”

“Yeah. For now,” Joe says.

She smiles, relieved. “I’ll go put your orders in.”

I’m flipping quickly through my notes.

“Rita?” Joe asks.

I hold up my index finger until I find what I’m looking for and read aloud. “Mr. Westmore drives a black pickup. The Ferrises, a dark blue SUV, the Pearsons, a dark gray truck, Mr. Branch, a black SUV.” I smile at Joe.

“Dr. Bradley?”

“A silver sedan.”





CHAPTER 57


Molly


I’M FEELING A RUSH OF OPTIMISM AFTER MY TRIP TO THE PRISON. I DEFINITELY feel stronger in a real physical sense, and my mystery caller hasn’t bothered me since I got back. I almost wish he would. I’m spoiling for a fight, as my Aunt Ellen would say.

I finished my lunch, and I’m cleaning up when my doorbell rings. I check my computer screen and see Josh standing on my porch. Great. I throw the dishes in the sink and let him in.

“Hey, Molly. Can we talk a minute?”

“Fine, Josh. What’s up?”

He tips his head toward the kitchen, so I shut the door behind him and walk down the hall. We sit at the kitchen table.

He rubs his chin, glances toward the window. “I’m really sorry, you know, about what happened to you.”

My spine stiffens. “I don’t want to talk about that. It’s behind me, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“What do you want?”

“I’m, uh, having a small birthday party for Kim on Saturday afternoon.”

“Really? I guess you still haven’t told her about you and Laken, right?”

He closes his eyes. “Hear me out, please.”

I fold my arms. In the past, we’ve held a joint celebration for Kim and Jay, but this year, since Jay’s birthday was a big one, I decided he needed his own special day.

“I know the timing’s bad, but I don’t want to just blow it off. Kim deserves something.”

“Yeah, Josh, she does. When do you plan on telling her?”

“I’m just worried about the baby, Molly, okay?”

“She’s past her first trimester. Doctor says everything’s fine. You have broken it off with Laken, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“So when are you going to talk to Kim?”

“Next Saturday. We’ll have the party this Saturday. Give it a week, and I’ll talk to her the following weekend. I don’t want to spoil her birthday. My parents can take Willow, and I’ll, I’ll do it then.”

I lean back in my chair. Shake my head. “I still can’t believe this, Josh. How could you?”

He drops his head in his hands.

“Did you find a marriage counselor?” I ask. “Have a name anyway?”

“I’ll ask Elise. She doesn’t need to know the particulars, but she’ll know somebody.”

“Okay. But . . .” I squeeze his arm, and his eyes meet mine. “If you don’t tell Kim by next Saturday, I’ll tell her myself.”

Anger flashes in his eyes, and he shakes his arm free from my grip. “I’ll do it, okay? I don’t need your threats, Molly.”

I stand and pace the kitchen. “So who are you inviting? Laken and Cal?”

“Just a few people. But I have to invite them. It’ll seem strange if I don’t. Laken’s cool with everything. She actually took it better than I thought.”