Don't Make a Sound (Sawyer Brooks #1)(59)

“That’s right. Join us anytime,” he said. “We need to keep moving.” He made a twirling motion with his finger to let her know it was time for her to turn around and get going.

Ten minutes later, Sawyer climbed in behind the wheel, made sure all the doors were locked, and then buckled up. She gave a quick wave to the men and women waiting to see her safely off, then pulled away.

As she drove along the dirt path back toward the main road, she peered into the woods. Somebody was still out there. She could sense it. Even now, someone was watching her.

She’d only talked to a few people about Isabella. She couldn’t imagine the math teacher being let out of his wife’s sight. And what about Uncle Theo? It would have been almost impossible for him to get to the woods before her. And he had no idea where she was off to when she’d left his house.

As she merged onto the main road, she thought about what Uncle Theo had said. “They weren’t my friends,” he’d told her.

What had he been talking about? Was he trying to tell her that the rape fantasy parties weren’t his idea? Had someone put him up to it?

And what about the fearful look in his eyes when she’d asked him if he’d been prowling around the cottage last night? He’d adamantly denied being there.

Uncle Theo knew something.

She never should have let him off the hook so easily. She was going back to see him. If he broke down and cried, she’d wait him out, make him tell her what he knew.

He owed her that much.





CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Aria was waiting for the next customer in line to tell her his order when she noticed Harper across the street, walking at a brisk pace.

She took off her apron, told her manager it was an emergency and she would be right back. A wave of stifling-hot air hit her the moment she stepped outside. She rushed to the curb and glanced across the street as Harper was stepping into a deli. As soon as traffic allowed, she crossed the two-lane road. What the hell was Harper up to?

Midtown was busy this time of day, and she weaved through a throng of people to get to where she’d seen Harper disappear. Pulling the door to the deli open, she didn’t take a breath until she saw Harper in line at the take-out register.

She came up behind her and said, “There you are!”

Harper let out a gasp as she turned around, obviously surprised to see Aria.

“You weren’t at the house this morning,” Aria said, stating the obvious. “You’ve been sneaking off a lot lately.”

“Are you keeping tabs on me?”

“Maybe I am. You’re not having an affair or something stupid like that, are you?”

She shook her head. “Of course not.”

“You want to know why I believe you?”

“Why?”

“Because you look like shit. Nobody ever looks like shit when they’re having an affair.” Aria wrinkled her nose. “Have you taken a shower lately?”

Harper huffed. “It’s not easy, taking care of two kids and a husband. I can’t remember the last time I had a day off to do whatever I pleased. After I leave here, I think I might treat myself to a mani and pedi.”

“Your kitchen sink was filled to the brim with dirty dishes. I’m not judging, but that’s simply not something you’ve ever been okay with. Something’s going on.”

Harper was up next.

Aria watched as four twelve-inch sandwiches and napkins were put inside a plastic bag and handed over the counter for Harper to take. She’d obviously called in the order because she took the bag and headed for the door.

Aria stayed at her heels. “You’re going to eat all that?”

Harper said nothing as she pushed her way through the door and weaved through the crowd as if she could so easily brush her little sister off.

“Come on,” Aria said, loud enough for anyone to hear. “It’s me, your sister. Tell me what’s going on here.”

Harper stepped into a small alcove out of the way of other pedestrians. She exhaled. “I didn’t want to tell anyone because it’s private, but I’m going to tell you so you’ll get off my back. And then you’re going to promise me you won’t tell anyone, and that includes Nate, the kids, and Sawyer. Promise?”

“I promise,” Aria said. “Unless you’re seeing another man . . . then my promise is null and void.”

Harper rolled her eyes. “I’m writing a book.”

That was the absolute last thing Aria expected to come out of her sister’s mouth. “You’re shitting me.”

“If you mean to ask if I’m serious, I am.”

Aria narrowed her eyes. “I never once in my lifetime heard you talk about wanting to write a book.”

“Because I didn’t want anyone telling me it was a stupid idea.”

Aria lifted her chin. “What are you writing about?”

“It’s going to be a memoir.”

“Who are those sandwiches for?”

“My critique partners.”

“You have critique partners?”

“Yes. We’ve been helping one another for over a year.”

Aria wasn’t convinced. “Helping each other in what way?”

“Like helping each other learn to narrow our focus and use elements of fiction to tell our stories.” Harper sighed. “I need to get going. I’ll talk to you more about it later, okay?”