“Blake’s stalker.”
“Someone who had a personal grudge against Manny.”
Walker straightens his spine. “That’s it.”
Santiago scratches the side of his head. “A personal grudge?”
“No.” Walker chews on his lip. “The stalker.”
“Why?” My face scrunches up.
“The stalker needs Blake around. He wants her to see something. He’s tormenting her. He wouldn’t lock her in the barn and set it on fire without telling her who he is and why he’s doing it.”
“What did Manny say to Blake again? She told you, right?”
“He told her that she ruined everything.” Santiago looks as if he just ate a lemon.
I know he probably blames himself for this. He fired Manny, and then Manny went after the people he cares about.
Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, I pull him closer, offering comfort.
He knows what I’m going to say.
And I know what he’s going to say.
So nothing needs to be said at all.
“That rules out Manny even more. The stalker wanted Blake to come back to Evergreen Falls,” I point out.
Santiago’s eyes narrow as he tries to decipher the same puzzle we’re all struggling with. “Are we sure that the stalker and The Debt Collector aren’t the same person?”
“I haven’t wanted to jump to conclusions, but I’ve been trying to investigate through two lenses. They’re two different people, or they’re one and the same.” Walker rubs his eyes.
I don’t think he slept at all last night.
My forehead wrinkles. “Walk, that’s a lot for one person.”
Santiago’s mouth pinches. “And you’re leaving out another lens.”
“What’s that?”
“The Debt Collector and Blake’s stalker are two different people who are working together.” Santiago brings his hands together in demonstration.
“How about we each take a theory?” I suggest. “Walk, you take different people. Santi, you take different people working together. I’ll take the same person.”
“Alright. Let’s do it.” Walker heaves a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I need to take five.” Walker pushes away from the table and heads for the back exit, pulling out his pack of cigarettes as he goes.
Santiago and I exchange a look.
The same look we’ve exchanged several times over the last week.
Now?
Now.
I guess this is happening.
