Every discipline the military beat into me, every memory of why I can’t have this, to straighten my spine and drop my hands from the desk.
“There’s your evidence, Miss Walsh.” I clip the words down to bone, cutting off everything soft that wants to crawl out after them. “Write it down.”
She holds herself upright, even though her legs look unsteady, and lifts her chin higher. “Are you married, Mr. Rutherford?”
The question caught me mid-turn, and I face her again, my eyebrow lifting before I can stop it.
“No,” I say, keeping it matter-of-fact.
Her face burns brighter, but she presses on. “Girlfriend, then...?”
Stubborn.
“No girlfriend.” I can see the wheels turning in her head. “You think you can figure me out by asking a few questions? Checking a few boxes on your little list?”
“I’m just trying to understand the home environment.” She still looks rattled. “As her teacher, it’s my responsibility to—”
“Stay away from my family, Miss Walsh,” I say, my voice flat. “And stay away from me.”
I turn and walk out, flexing my hands, knuckles popping, as I release a slow breath. She’s scared now. That’s the point. That’sthe whole point, and I’d do well to remember that. It’s the only way to keep her safe.
3
Thea
I AM FROZEN in the classroom after Kilian Rutherford walks out. My hands are still trembling, so I press them flat on the desk to ground myself.
That man, he’s trouble. I knew the second he walked in, and every minute since has confirmed it. I read about people like him, but never expected to meet one here, of all places.
Stay away from my family.
His voice replays in my head, and I drag in a shaky breath and release it slow.
There is no way I’m wrong about this. Every instinct I have screams that he’s dangerous. The leather jacket, the tattoos on his forearms and creeping up his neck. The stare. Who speaks like that if they’re not trying to intimidate?
Seeing this as the perfect opportunity that it is, my resolve hardens. I grab my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. I’m rattled, sure, but I’m not backing down. If anything, his warning only confirms that I am onto something. Sara needs someone in her corner. From what I’ve gathered, the girl doesn’t have parents, not a single relative. Only him. Only this man as her guardian.
If Kilian Rutherford thinks his intimidation will scare me off, he’s mistaken. Wait ’til I have more than a gut feeling… when I have real evidence, and I’ll go to the police.
But first, I need to follow him. The plan feels reckless the moment it forms. If anyone sees me, ifhesees me, I could losethis job before my first paycheck clears. They’ll say I’m unstable, unprofessional... a crazy woman harassing a parent.
No!I’m a teacher, and I can’t turn a blind eye. If it means playing detective for an afternoon, then that’s what I’ll do.
Outside, the sun is still high up. I hurry across the parking lot to my Honda.
If I focus hard enough, I can still make out the rumble of his bike, fading but not gone. He can’t be too far ahead. A couple of intersections, maybe.Ah shit,there are no traffic lights here, there’s nothing slowing him down.
I get inside my car quickly. I can’t lose him.
In a town this small, trailing someone without being noticed is a real challenge. It’s already past the school pickup time, and the streets are almost empty. I have to maintain my distance.
As I drive, I see him.
He passes by the main street and then takes a left, right at the corner with the fire danger rating board. Today, the arrow points to yellow. It’s pointed to yellow every single day since I arrived, and yellow isHigh. I wonder if the arrow is stuck.
I count to five before mirroring his turn, and by the time I round the corner, he’s already pulling into a gravel lot in front of a small metal building. The sign above readsKade’s Garage. I ease my Honda behind an old truck and kill the engine fast. It’s a private road from the look of it, but there are enough vehicles parked along the stretch that I can tuck myself in between to keep me hidden.
From my spot, I can see him clearly. He got off his bike with ease, his boots crunching on the gravel when he walk up to greet another guy. This one’s huge too, with a grease-streaked cloth in his hand and tattoos snaking up his arms just like Kilian Rutherford. This must be Kade, and he looks just as bad.
