Page 223 of Show Me

“I checked before you got here.”

“And?”

“Nothing.” My hands ball into fists. At this point, I’m looking like a total fucking loser at keeping Ruby and her property safe. I’ve never considered myself more worthless in my life.

His head comes up. “Nothing?”

And clearly, Jake agrees with my assessment.

Despite the cold air floating into the room, heat creeps up my neck. I yank my T-shirt collar away from my chest. “Not a damn thing.”

We head outside.

Jake reaches the first camera and stops. “Well, there’s your problem.”

“What?”

He points. The lens is aimed toward the road instead of the porch and side yard.

“What the hell?”

Jake studies the mount. “Could’ve shifted.”

“Or somebody moved it.”

Neither of us says which one seems more likely.

We check the footage anyway. Me leaving for work. Me coming home. Rain turning to sleet. Wind. Me feeding the pigs. A raccoon. The neighbor’s cat. Nothing useful.

Jake pulls out his notebook. “You’re sure about the size?”

“Only that it wasn’t Greg. Brent?” I shake my head. “Maybe.”

Jake looks toward the woods. “I’m going to check his alibi.”

I stare back at the open kitchen window. If it isn’t Brent, then who the fuck is it?

Chapter One Hundred Eighteen

Ruby

The Next Day

The windshield is still frosted when Dad pulls onto Main Street. Brookhaven looks the same as always. Chloe’s Bakery already has customers inside. Mr. Hart hangs Christmas lights above Hart Hardware while a group of older men supervises with coffee cups in hand.

Things are different, yet somehow the same.

Dad turns into Bella’s driveway and parks behind my car. I asked the girls to move it here before I realized that Xavier was staying at the house. Neither of us moves right away.

Dad squeezes my hand. “You don’t have to do this today.”

“Yes, I do.”

His jaw flexes. “Dizzy?”

“Not really.”

“Headaches?”