“What happened to her? Did she leave with Walker?”

She flicked an ash. “Are you working for your sister now?”

“Working for myself. I want to know what happened to these women.”

“Why?”

“Maybe I see a lot of myself in them.”

“Don’t we all.”

“Who did Casey leave with?”

Stacey inhaled. “He was a friend of Walker’s. He’s been around for years. Likes to play rough.”

“Do you have a name or a description?”

“Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. I don’t need the trouble. Get back to your clean-and-sober world.”

“You need to tell me more about this guy. He’s killing women.”

Stacey sniffed. “He wore a nice suit. Flashy watch.”

“That’s it?”

“All I know.”

Avery had been part of Stacey’s world just two years ago. But now the distance between them was immeasurable. She scribbled her number on a piece of paper. “Call me if you change your mind.”

Stacey inhaled deeply as she tucked the paper in her purse. “Sure, you’ll be the first person I call, Nancy Drew.”

“What building did Casey go into?”

“A block east. It’s real popular. You can’t miss it.”

As Avery moved east down the street, she spotted a familiar car. It belonged to Leo Santiago. “Shit.”

She ducked in an alley and watched as the vehicle passed. Santiago looked annoyed. She stepped back into the shadows. Santiago was the last guy she could afford to be seen with. Finally, the vehicle rounded the corner.

As she stood alone, her phone rang. She did not recognize the number and considered letting it go to voicemail. But there were so many people who were helping Jordan, it was possible one might be trying to get ahold of her.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Avery, this is Maisy from the café.”

“What’s up?” She kept her gaze on the street, making sure Santiago did not double back.

“You’ll never guess what I found? Your old phone.”

“Seriously.”

“Yeah. It was in the pocket of your jacket, the one that I borrowed. If you want to come and get it, I’m home now.”

Santiago’s car again drove slowly by the alley. She pressed her back to the wall. “Sure. I’ll be by in a few.”

Jordan opened her cane and slow walked to the front porch. At the front door, she groped for her keys. Inside the house, Jordan listened for Spencer’s car. She heard the engine roar to life but noticed his car was not moving. He was making sure she was okay.

She turned on the lights, hoping each one would reassure him. Spencer drove off, but the darkness remained.