“Thanks, Jeremy. I appreciate it.”
“That mother of yours really made a spectacle of herself today,” Jeremy said. “Now the reporters are going to be working even harder to dig into your life. I hope they don’t find anything out. It would be a mess for you.”
“Me, too. My Aunt Julie is too fragile to be bothered. I’d hate to think of what would happen if they found her.” Rachel was worried just thinking about it. And she worried about her daughter. She didn’t want Jules to have to fight off the press, either.
“Listen,” Jeremy said, sounding hesitant. “I know you’ve been spending a lot of time around Avery. I also know it’s not my business, but I feel I should at least warn you about him.”
Rachel laughed. “About Avery? Are you kidding me?”
“This is serious,” Jeremy insisted. “Do you really know anything about him?”
Rachel frowned. “I know enough.”
Jeremy sighed. “What I’m saying is, he came to town a few months ago and supposedly bought the newspaper, but I never saw any proof go through that he actually owns it. And I also can’t find his name connected to any of the newspaper publications he claims to have worked at.”
“He has an office in the newspaper building. I’ve been in it. If he doesn’t work there or own it, why would they let him pretend he does?”
“I know,” Jeremy said, sounding frustrated. “But something is fishy. He has no social media past or any connections to newspapers in California. I can’t even find where he went to college. It’s strange, and I’m just telling you to warn you. He’s not who he claims to be.”
Anger rose inside Rachel. “You don’t have a social media presence either. Does that make you guilty of something?”
“You’ve been researching me?” Jeremy asked, sounding surprised.
Rachel became flustered. “I’m just saying that no social media presence doesn’t mean someone is hiding something.”
There was a long pause before Jeremy answered. “Okay. I’m just trying to warn you. Enough said.”
There was a knock on Rachel’s door. “I think my dinner is here,” she said, wanting to cut off their conversation. “I have to go.”
“Wait!” Jeremy’s tone sounded like an order. “Look out the peephole first. It could be some crazy person.”
Rachel sighed and did as he said. To her surprise, Archie, the mayor, was standing on the other side. She backed up away from the door. “It’s the mayor,” she whispered into the phone. “Why would he be here?”
“Don’t answer it!” Jeremy ordered. “Don’t even talk to him. And don’t open the door until my officer gets there. I’ll call Archie after I hang up from you and tell him to get away from there.”
She wondered why Jeremy was so upset. Archie gave her the creeps, but was he dangerous? “Okay. I won’t open it.”
“Okay. Goodbye.” He hung up, and within seconds, she heard Archie’s phone ringing in the hallway.
Rachel walked back to the door and looked out the peephole. Archie was yelling at Jeremy, and his face was bright red.
“I just want to talk to her about her crazy mother,” Archie said into the phone. “There’s no law against that.”
Rachel couldn’t make out what Jeremy was saying to him, but she could hear that his voice sounded angry over the phone.
“Fine! Who runs this town, anyway?” Archie spat into his phone. “I have the right to do whatever I want.” He hit the button for the elevator, and when it opened, he stepped inside.
Rachel pulled away from the door. What on earth was going on in this town? Jeremy acted suspiciously. Avery was out digging up Jeremy’s past. Jeremy was telling her that Avery wasn’t who he said he was. And now Archie showed up at her door. At this point, Rachel didn’t know who she could trust.
She heard the elevator ding, and she glanced out into the hallway again. It was the officer showing up for his night shift to protect her, and a man carrying a bag was following him. The man knocked on her door with the officer right by his side.
“Food delivery,” the man said.
Rachel sighed. She opened the door a little, took the food, and smiled at the officer. Then she closed the door and bolted it again. She really hated not being able to trust anyone and feeling like a prisoner in her own room.
***
The next morning, Rachel rose early, showered, and dressed. She was anxious to get to the police department and go through the evidence. The night before, Avery had called to say he was in Sacramento for the night, digging through old newspapers at the library. He didn’t tell her what he was looking for but said he’d be back early this morning. Whatever he was searching for must have been important for him to stay overnight.
Rachel slipped her small purse over her shoulder and walked out of the room. She was surprised to see the officer from the night before still there.
“Good morning,” he said. “I was asked to drive you to the station.”
That was news to Rachel. “I can take my own car, thank you.”
“Sorry. Chief’s orders. He wants to make sure you get there safely.”
Rachel rolled her eyes but followed the officer into the elevator and to his patrol car.
“What was with the police escort?” Rachel asked Jeremy when she walked into his office.
“Good morning to you, too,” he said, smirking. “I wanted to make sure you arrived safely. Did the press tail you?”
“Not that I know of,” she said.
“Good. I’ll drive you back afterward.” He stood, picked up a small box from his desk, and waved for her to follow him. “The evidence is in the basement.”
Rachel wasn’t thrilled about going to the basement with Jeremy, but she had no choice. Besides, they were in a police station. What could happen?
Jeremy stopped at the desk of the female officer who’d brought in the water bottles the day before and spoke quietly
