“Because he’s the type of guy who thinks he owes everyone...my husband is his best friend,” she said. “He could never hurt him. His new partner is an artist. She moved her whole life for him. He’s never going to up and leave her.”

It was true. Braithe was right.

She saved the voice clip to listen to later. Right now, he wanted a reaction, and she was going to give it to him.

She could be talking about anyone, she sent back.

He sent another audio message, this one shorter than the first. Braithe’s voice was slurred.

“I said that to Grant, I told him exactly how I felt.”

It wasn’t just the use of Grant’s name, but rather the familiarity of how Braithe used it that sent a chill through Rainy. Did she have any memories of them behaving oddly together? She searched her mind, but came up with none. She’d always thought Braithe and Stephen were the perfect couple, and she’d never seen so much as a crack in their relationship. But you weren’t looking.

But more importantly, how had Paul captured Braithe? All this talk of Braithe and Grant was a distraction. How long had he been watching; what else did he know about their group? The thought was terrifying.

He’s been waiting for something like us to play with, Rainy thought. He was creating situations to feed on, and their group had been there at the right time. What would he do if she refused to play his games?

I’m calling the police.

What will you tell them?

She had to think about that for a minute. So far, all she had for evidence were a bunch of texts from Braithe’s number. Coy, playful texts were not a cause for alarm. All of Braithe’s other friends believed she was blowing off marital steam. He had isolated her from them with texts. It was actually brilliant.

Hate to tell you this, but you’re the reason she’s here, Summer. And no one is going to believe you. By the time you get them to believe you I’ll have cut through her vocal cords.

Rainy went cold.

She stared at her phone for a long time, unmoving. Summer. He knew. He had Braithe, but this wasn’t about her at all. And he didn’t say he would kill her; he’d specifically said cut through her vocal cords. He was telling her he had a plan. Whoever he was, he was here for her. No matter what Braithe had or hadn’t done, she couldn’t let her die at the hands of someone who was after...

Summer.