“Not quite all the way, but getting there.” She bites her lips. “Well, I was on my road when I heard a car. Someone was behind me, driving really slow.”

I lean forward. “Did he stop?”

“No. But he was definitely following me, going super slow.” Her eyes start to tear up.

“Then what happened, Melissa?”

“I jumped off the asphalt and ran on the dirt and picked up the pace.”

“Did you look back at the vehicle?”

“Just briefly. I was scared.”

“What kind of vehicle was it?” I ask.

She takes a deep breath. “I don’t know. The headlights were blinding me.”

Joe leans toward her. “Was it a car?”

She shakes her head. “No. It was bigger. A truck maybe or an SUV.”

“What color?”

“I couldn’t really tell.”

“Your best guess?”

“Black or dark blue?”

“Could it have been silver?” I ask.

“No. It was definitely a dark color.”

I feel my pulse kick up. “How about the driver? Was he alone?”

“Yes. It looked like it. I only saw one guy.”

“Did he get out of the vehicle?”

“ No.”

“Can you describe him at all? Anything?”

She shakes her head. “It was getting too dark, and the headlights were in my eyes.”

“Then what happened?”

She sniffs. “I started running really fast and thinking I would head out through the woods if he stopped. But then another car came down the road behind him, and he sped off.” She draws another deep breath.

“Did you tell Sheriff Skinner or anyone at the sheriff’s department?”

“No.” Her lips quiver. “Working here, I sometimes get guys hitting on me. No one local that I need to worry about, but sometimes guys from out of town get a little creepy. I guess I should’ve reported it.”

Joe smiles a kind fatherly smile. “You’re telling us now, Melissa.”

“Does that help?”

“It does indeed,” I say.

“I’m glad. I was starting to worry about it, and I was afraid Sherriff Skinner would be mad I didn’t say anything at the time.” She glances out the front window. “Is that all?”

“Yeah. For now,” Joe says.

She smiles, relieved. “I’ll go put your orders in.”

I’m flipping quickly through my notes.

“Rita?” Joe asks.

I hold up my index finger until I find what I’m looking for and read aloud. “Mr. Westmore drives a black pickup. The Ferrises, a dark blue SUV, the Pearsons, a dark gray truck, Mr. Branch, a black SUV.” I smile at Joe.

“Dr. Bradley?”

“A silver sedan.”

CHAPTER 57 - Molly

CHAPTER 57

Molly

I’M FEELING A RUSH OF OPTIMISM AFTER MY TRIP TO THE PRISON. I DEFINITELY feel stronger in a real physical sense, and my mystery caller hasn’t bothered me since I got back. I almost wish he would. I’m spoiling for a fight, as my Aunt Ellen would say.