Again, my sister shakes her head. “I haven’t heard anything. I’ve avoided social media and as for my friends who have called or texted, I only text them the generic response we were told to send. You know, Julie is stable, and we’ll know more in the future.”
“Yeah, that’s what I sent to Becky, too.” It isn’t what I told Echo, but she isn’t an insider. I don’t need to worry about who she might tell.
“Has Becky mentioned anything?” Liv asks. “What do people know?”
“I haven’t talked to her. She’s one of thosewe don’t lie to one anotherpeople. I’m afraid if she asks?—”
“You’ll spill,” Liv says, finishing my thought. “I know exactly what you mean. It’s why I haven’t returned Beth’s calls.”
“Keith mentioned something.” I try to recall. “He said, and I’m paraphrasing, that he hopes my sister recovers from whatever happened and will help locate Marty.”
“How would he know she needs recovery?”
“Maybe he figures since she’s in a hospital...?”
Liv closes her eyes for only a moment. “You said he’s a detective? Maybe he can help. Sheriff Manes is busy looking for Marty.” Her lips gape. “Oh my God, what if the sick dude who hurt Julie and locked her in that shed has Marty? Maybe we need to be more open with the people of the town so they have an idea what to look for or whatthey might find.”
“Why did he—this assailant,” I clarify, “hurt Julie and take Marty? Why not the other way around?”
“Maybe he was going to come back and get Julie? Like, he couldn’t take both at the same time.” She pauses. “Doesn’t it go with the intent?”
“Yes. They both could be opportunity.” My mind starts to swirl. “If they were both unconscious, he would have had to carry them.”
“Maybe he was waiting for nightfall to go back for Julie?” Liv suggests. “Dad said that the sheriff talked about blood. What if it’s not all Julie’s?”
It’s my turn to close my eyes. My head falls forward. “I feel like I’m brainstorming a show.” My chin snaps upward. “But Liv, it’s not a show. This is our sister.”
Liv reaches over and lays her hand on top of mine. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.”
“Thanks,” I say softly.
“Not every day,” she says with a grin. “So don’t get a big head. I know you didn’t miss us or you’d have been back.”
“That’s not exactly true. I miss you more now because I am here, and I know I need to go again. The staying away, I never really analyzed it, but maybe it was to avoid this.”
“When will you go?” Liv asks.
“I talked to my supervisor today. When I told her about Julie, she said I could take as much time as needed within reason.”
“You told her? Everything?”
“I told her more than Becky. After all, Echo isn’t here. She’s not part of the Blue Gil rumor mill and honestly, Imisled her a bit about why and where I was going. I had to come clean.”
“Was she upset?”
I scoff. “She didn’t fire me.”
“If she had, you could move back.”
“Oh, now that’s a nightmare.”
“Mom likes having us all together.”
“Maybe,” I say. “But Dad will never forgive me for leaving.” That isn’t my only sin in his eyes, but as far as I know, it’s what Liv knows.
“Dad is quiet.”
“Did you notice yesterday afternoon how we were all asking questions and he was answering everyone’s but mine?”
