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“I went at him because I was scared,” Noah said. “Because of him, I nearly lost you.”
“He could be in trouble,” Faith whispered. “What if whoever lit that fire followed him out of Lake Howling?”
“Jesus.” Noah ran a hand through his hair.
“Someone call Ryan; he may pick up. Then call Newman. He may have gone there,” Cubby said. “Then check the cabin, and Millicent. We need to make sure he’s left town. Then we can establish if he’s heading to Brook, or in danger considering the cabin was arson.”
Everyone seemed to move at once.
“Does anyone know how to get hold of Shay?” Cubby asked. “I want to ask him what he knows about this package and anyone who is stalking Ryan or acting crazy around the band.”
“I have his number. He wanted me to have it before he left. I don’t have my phone,” Faith said.
“Where is it?” Lucy asked.
“In my room.”
Was Ryan all right?He had to be all right.
“I’m sorry,” Noah said.
“I know.” She had no more words for her twin. Maybe later, when she knew Ryan was safe, but not right now.
Taking the phone from Lucy when she returned, Faith found Shay’s number, then handed the phone to Cubby.
“Shay, Cubby Hawker here, sorry for waking you, man, but I need to ask you some questions.”
They listened as he talked but couldn’t hear Shay’s responses.
“He did it because he loves you,” Lucy whispered from beside her.
“I understand that, but because of Noah’s words, Ryan could be in danger, and we don’t know how to get to him.”
“I’d do it again,” Noah said, folding his arms. “I love you, and I was scared.”
And Faith knew she’d do it too. Like she had when she thought Lucy was playing with Noah. But she wasn’t ready to admit that yet either.
Cubby finished the call.
“Shay said the stalker made Ryan’s life hell for months. Sending him stuff, breaking into his place and spray-painting words over the walls. Then suddenly she disappeared. That was a year ago. I asked if there were any details on her appearance, hoping someone in Howling had seen her. He said no; the only thing was a small guitar tattoo on her wrist with Ryan’s name underneath. Apparently, they found it in one of photos she’d sent him. He wants us to keep him posted and will let us know if he hears from Ryan too.”
“What?” Faith shot to her feet.
“What?” Cubby asked.
“What did you say about the guitar?”
“On her wrist, a guitar tattoo,” Cubby said, watching her.
“A woman in The Howler the night of the talent show had a tattoo like that. When I commented on it, she said she played but not very well, then pulled down her sleeve. I couldn’t make out the words, but there were some. She was on the trails too, the day I was pushed.”
“Okay, that’s a start. What did she look like?” Cubby asked.
Faith gave the description she could recall.
“She was in The Yelp tonight,” Buster said slowly. “She had her arm bandaged. Told me it was a burn from boiling water, but I saw the guitar on her other wrist.”
“Mom must have treated her,” Jake said pulling out his phone.
