Aunt Misty was right.
“You’ve been watching me for twenty years.”
“Some years more closely than others. There were times I almost let you fall off my radar, but then you started seeing that shrink, and I got worried you might dredge up old memories. I put a tracker on your car. I even went to the preschool where you worked on the pretense of checking it out for a friend—just to see if you recognized me. Of course you didn’t, and it all might’ve ended there if Celeste hadn’t been looking for a job.”
A bolt of lightning seared the sky.
Mia scanned the clearing, estimating the distance to the trees ahead, where at least she’d have a shot at hiding.
Too soon.
Even with the adrenaline flooding her body, she’d never make it that far on this ankle. And Arnie could decide any minute to do his worst. What chance did she really have against him?
What chance did you have to get out of that shed?
Just make it to the trees.
Keep him talking.
“Celeste needed a job?”
“She wanted to teach at a private school, and she found the Harbor Youth Academy brochure in the back of my car—after I’d paid that visit there to see if you’d recognize me. I tried to talk her out of applying. I didn’t want my family anywhere near you, but the more I argued with her, the more determined she got. Celeste had quite the stubborn streak. I suppose you both do. Anyway, I decided to let it go and hope for the best. I didn’t think you’d be a problem since you didn’t seem to know anything about me. But just look where we are now.”
“Did Celeste find out about my mother? Is that why you killed her?”
He let out a heavy sigh. “We’re almost there.”
“Where?”
“You’ll see. How’s your ankle holding up? Do you want to lean on my shoulder?”
No!
“I’m fine.” It was true. Her gait was slow and wobbly, but for all the pain she felt she might as well have had a double shot of morphine.
He still hadn’t answered her question about Celeste. Maybe if she rephrased it… “What happened to Celeste?”
Silence.
“You said you haven’t slept well. You said you want to unburden yourself so go ahead. I want the truth, and we both know I’m not leaving this place alive.”
“So it’s a win-win?” He pulled up short.
No. Keep walking!
He put his hands on her shoulders, and she instantly retched.
“Go ahead, get it out of your system.”
She fell to her knees, spewing her stomach contents onto the grass.
He widened his stance, looking down at her with folded arms. “Celeste left me no choice. If it’s any comfort to you, your taking her keys had nothing to do with her death.”
“Why put the knockoff keyring on my desk?”
“I saw you take Celeste’s keys. I left that other set on your desk at school so you’d know you’d been seen. It was an obvious signal to stay clear of things. Later, I tried to rattle you with the sweater and that warning text. I really did hope you’d leave on your own and go running back to your aunt. And I think I did a pretty good job making you seem unstable—now when you disappear it will seem like another one of your crazy antics, another cry for attention. Why did you ignore all my warnings, Mia? I gave you so many chances.”
“You saw me take Celeste’s keys? You were there—at the Piano Man that night?”
“I had a date with an escort. I thought if I were seen, I could explain away dinner with an attractive woman. I’d just say she was a business associate.”
“Seems risky.”
“Yeah, but I like taking risks. Luckily, I’m more has-been than celebrity, so I don’t get recognized often. Besides, ever since the mess with your mother, I arrange all kinds of backup plans and excuses for any escapade I embark upon. But I didn’t expect to bump into Celeste. And I didn’t expect her to see me kissing that whore. Celeste didn’t confront me at the restaurant—she doesn’t like scenes. That was a mistake on her part. She walked home, and then she called me to come over to her house and discuss that and some other things. We had a terrible argument. She said she was going to tell Alma, and I simply couldn’t allow that.”
Mia stretched her arms in front of her, and doubled over, feigning another retch. She ran her hands through the tall, wet grass, searching. There had to be a rock somewhere.
“So you killed your own daughter to cover up an affair?”
“Again, she’s not my daughter. Isaiah and Angelica are my blood. Alma was a single mother to Celeste when I met her. When I think of all the things I’ve done for a child who isn’t even mine. I did it all for Alma’s sake and Celeste was going to repay me how? By telling her mother about my affairs.”
Mia raked her fingers deep in the mud.
Yes!
Her palm closed around something hard and sharp.
She craned her neck, looking up at him.
He stared off into the distance. “Of course I’m not heartless, and if it had been only that one thing—the escort at the Piano Man—I could’ve wormed my way out of it. I might’ve admitted to a lapse in judgment, confessed to a single kiss and begged Alma’s forgiveness. For Alma’s sake, I would have let Celeste live if there’d been any way. But, sadly, there was more to it. Celeste had nosed around my office looking for dirt; it seemed even before that night, she’d become suspicious. Someone told her I was cheating on her
