He leads me out into the frigid hallway, flashlight in hand, to the ominously whistling door. Too late, I realize I’ve left my phone in his room, and I can’t go back for it without seeming weird. I don’t even have my shoes.

“Is it safe?” I ask, hesitating at the door.

There is no “ish” this time. Only instructions. “Stay close to the wall. The bathroom is on the left.” He hands me the flashlight, making it clear he has no plans to open the door, to look inside. Good. His grief gives me a window.

I crack open the door, then sweep the light over the floor before taking tentative steps inside. The main suite is large. Was large. The back half of the room is gone, much like that image of the Pacific Coast Highway with a gaping chasm. I struggle to piece together in my mind what it must have been like before, but all I can imagine are the walls and flooring turned to mush. If I dared to move closer to the edge, I could peer down into the former family room. And beyond to the sea.

I follow Ben’s directions, sticking close to the wall and making my way into the bathroom. Light sweeps across skin-care bottles, dirty makeup brushes, a teal-and-white toothbrush askew in a ceramic holder. Like their owner could breeze in here at any moment and perform her nightly toilette.

I brace my hands on the counter, stare into the mirror, the harsh light of the flashlight casting me in ghastly relief. Like a dead girl walking.

Would Ben kill me? Do I really think he killed Natalie?

Yes, the voice inside me whispers. I don’t know why he did it, but between his lying about being the mascot that night, the school master key in his drawer, trying to convince me over and over that it was Gabriel…

God. Did I just sleep with a killer? I glance at the dormant shower, wishing desperately to get clean. I can still feel Ben all over me, like an oily film.

Maybe I could sneak away now, while he thinks I’m using the toilet. Tiptoe into the foyer and steal away into the night. Without my phone, I feel naked. Vulnerable. But these are the variables I’m stuck with. No shoes, no phone, a tiny window. Still, I have to go now.

I leave the bathroom, pausing in front of the door to Ben’s mom’s room. I can do this. With one last deep breath, I pivot to the door and wrest it open.

And find myself face to face with Ben.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

I yelp, stumbling back and back, unable to stop myself, my body falling, because the floor is slanting downward. I’m heading for the edge.