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My hand instinctively moves toward my scarf, but I stop myself and tuck it beneath my thigh instead.

“Misty Galloway was a friend of yours growing up, wasn’t she, Maxine?”

Was.

The word alone makes my pulse race.

“What happened… to her?” I stutter, hating the tremor in my voice.

“I’m afraid I have some bad news. Her husband became concerned when she didn’t return from her usual morning run. He went looking for her and found her body in Alder Lake.”

The room suddenly seems to tilt around me so fast that it takes everything in me not to grab the edge of the table just to keep from losing my balance.

“She drowned?” Sienna asks, somehow managing to sound far more composed than I.

“That’s how it appears.”

My heart begins hammering so hard I’m certain Neptune can see it beating beneath my clothes, but Sienna’s hand tightens around my thigh beneath the table.

A warning.

Don’t react. Don’t say anything.

So I don’t.

Chief Neptune studies me for a long moment again before giving a slow nod. “I think that’s enough for now.”

“For now?” Sienna repeats.

“Yes. For now.” He turns his attention back to me. “Maxine, I’m not placing you under arrest, nor am I restricting your movements. But given the circumstances, I’d strongly advise you to remain in Fairhope and make yourself available for further questioning. If your plans change or you intend to leave town, I expect you to contact my department first.”

Sienna lets out a humorless laugh. “You expect her to?”

Neptune’s expression hardens. “I’m asking for her cooperation.”

“And you have it,” I say before Sienna can start another fight.

He gives me one final, unreadable look. “Good. Because I have a feeling you and I are going to be talking again very soon.”

Then he turns and walks away, his deputy following close behind.

Neither Sienna nor I say a word until they’re out of earshot.

I’m still trying to grasp all of this when Sienna lets out a sigh.

“Well, you know what that means?”

I shake my head because honestly, right now, nothing makes sense anymore.

“Six down. Just two more to go.”

Chapter 32

Fairhope, March 11th, 2016

I had my entire senior year planned out. Keep my head down. Stay invisible. Get the fuck out of this town the second graduation rolled around.

It was a solid plan. A damn good one, actually.