Page 11 of Archer

Just me, Gram’s furniture, and the ghost of her perfume.

The music box was still on the kitchen table, making my skin crawl.

Was it possible he wasn’t in Carolina Bay? Maybe he’d found Gram’s address and had the music box delivered on a hunch.

If he wasn’t watching, how would he know if the hunch was right?

I grabbed my phone and Archer Stone’s business card, then typed out a text.

This is Sarah Miller. My address is 4792 Shore Drive. Can you come earlier than 5?

I hit send before I could second-guess myself.

It was too dark with all the blinds closed and curtains drawn. No one could see in, but I couldn’t see out.

I settled on the couch, phone cradled in my palms, and I forced myself to count breaths. One. Two. The floorboards creaked. Just the house settling, but my heart hammered anyway. Three. Four. A car passed on the road, and I froze until the engine sound faded.

Minutes stretched into hours as I waited. For what, I wasn’t sure. The next threat? Archer’s text?

I pulled my knees to my chest. Breathe.

In and out like the waves.

Only three hours left before help arrived.

I could survive three hours.

I had to.

Chapter 5

Archer

Sarah’s text came through at two-fifteen.

I’d been thinking about her. About her alleged stalker and bogus name. Not that I didn’t believe her— she was clearly afraid of something. But she hadn’t given me anything to go on. No reasons or evidence to substantiate her belief. Had she seen someone following her? Was it a gut feeling? A shadow? Something more?

And why the disguise?

None of it made any sense.

Maybe it was nothing.

I hoped it was nothing. For her sake and for the possible stalker’s.

I harbored a deep animosity for bullies and men who bothered women. My sister had barely survived knowing her daughter’s father. He had barely survived knowing me.

This is Sarah Miller. Address is 4792 Shore Drive. Can you come earlier than 5?

I read the message twice.

She wanted me there earlier.

Had something changed that made waiting until five feel too long?

I typed back: Give me 30 minutes.

Then I pulled up Colton’s number and dialed.