Page 35 of Trust No One

“Squatters on my land. No sign of anyone in or near the house.” Other than the light. “No broken windows.”

“Edith is there enough, but now that Gabe’s in trouble and Maria is in the hospital, she won’t stop by like she used to. Gabe installed hunting cameras a few years ago.”

“Did you see anyone lurking around?”

“No. But your return is bound to catch someone off guard. Keep your doors locked and your attention sharp.”

This place had felt like the end of the world when I was a kid. A million miles from the world. I hated that. Now the world had found us. And I hated that more.

“I’ll stay alert.”

“Do you have home protection?” he asked.

“A handgun,” I said. “Not everyone loves public defenders.” Even if I’d had it in the courthouse when Pete attacked, he’d moved his two hundred pounds of muscle lightning fast. I’d never have drawn the gun fast enough.

“Where is it?”

“My bedroom. Nightstand.”

“Loaded?”

“No. But bullets in the drawer beside it.”

“Keep it close.”

“I will.”

For a moment, our easy familiarity shone under seventeen years of dust. Once he’d stared at me with tenderness. Those times weren’t simpler, but they were a little happier. “Did you find anything at the Durant house?”

A faint smile tugged his lips. “You know I can’t tell you that.”

Attorney of record or not, no good cop shared details so early in an investigation. “Thought I’d try.”

The flash of teeth shattered our fleeting connection. “I’m not discussing the evidence with you now.”

“If I take Gabe on as a client?”

“Then I’ll provide what’s mandated by law. When it comes to this case, we aren’t friends.”

“And outside of this case?”

He studied me. “I have fond memories of you. This place. We were good until we weren’t. That’s worth something.”

“Not the sentimental sort, are you?”

Fingers at his side clenched, relaxed. “I hang on to what works and cut loose what doesn’t.”

That stung. “I’ll see you around, Judson.”

“You can count on it, Raine.”

I used to believe . . .

Monsters only live in stories.

But here’s the truth.

They live in the real world, too.