“Melinda Wright Bradley is no stranger to tragedy. On Sunday, January fifth, someone broke into her Massachusetts home and brutally murdered her husband, psychologist Jay Bradley, while Melinda slept upstairs. But that’s not the first catastrophe to befall this hard-luck beauty. In 1991, the nation fell in love with little red-haired Melinda when she, along with neighbor India Arndt, disappeared from the Arndt backyard in upstate New York. After a three-day search, the girls were located in the cellar of an abandoned farmhouse, where they had been brutally assaulted by a disturbed teenager. Unfortunately, little India did not survive her ordeal.

“And now, if things weren’t bad enough for Melinda, the body of a missing New Hampshire woman has been found on property owned by her late husband. Authorities are working to establish a connection between the woman’s murder and that of Dr. Bradley—”

Corrine strides into the room and turns off the TV.

I’m stunned and lie on the bed like a dead thing, feeling nothing. My phone is ringing, texts chiming. Everybody knows now, and I’ve got nowhere to hide.

CHAPTER 41 - Molly

CHAPTER 41

Molly

I STAYED IN MY ROOM AT CORRINE’S ALL DAY YESTERDAY WITH MY PHONE turned off. But today, Monday morning, I figure I’ll face the fire. Either that or never leave this apartment again. I’ve got dozens of texts, and I hit DELETE without even looking at who they’re from. As I’m clearing out my phone, it rings, and Kim’s name pops up. I take a deep breath and answer.

“Hi, Kim.”

“Molly! Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I’m at Corrine’s.” Silence. She doesn’t know what to say. I don’t either.

“We’re all worried about you. We saw the news,” she adds quietly.

“I guess everyone’s seen it by now, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I understand.” But I can hear the hurt in her voice. We’re best friends, and I didn’t tell her who I was. I had years to do it, and I didn’t. I understand her feelings, but no one seems to understand mine. Not any of the therapists I’ve seen over the years. Not until Jay anyway. Tears fill my eyes. I guess I was wrong about him too.

“Molly?”

“Yes. Sorry. I’m fine.”

“We’re all concerned about you.”

“Please tell them I’m okay. I just don’t want to talk right now. Maybe sometime, just not now.”

“I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks, Kim.” I hang up and toss the phone beside me on the bed and think back to my last days as Melinda.