“Well, I’m not home,” Ronnie said. And then she gave the name of a motel complex inland. It was a hike to get there, and when they did, Ronnie trudged out of a dark upstairs room all alone. Andrea felt a chill. Ronnie hadn’t told them anything yet, but Andrea got a terrible feeling that something dreadful had gone down when she saw that Esme wasn’t with her.

Ronnie climbed into Andrea’s car with them so they could talk.Then again, there was so much to say, they didn’t know where to start. Finally, Ronnie spoke. It took a while for the shock of what had happened with Esme to sink in with all of them. Ronnie seemed like a shell of herself, brittle and broken.

“What did Lane say about it?” Andrea finally asked. “Maybe he can help.”

Ronnie ducked her head. “Lane can’t know. I just said Esme and I took a little trip to clear our minds. It was to buy time so I could figure things out, but I don’t know. It’s possible I’ll never see Lane again.”

“Never see Lane?” Lauren cried.

“How can I tell him? It’s impossible. Shameful.” She rubbed her eyes. “Maybe I do get the police involved. I’m just not sure how.”

“And you’re really going to stay at that motel in the meantime?” Lauren asked. “You can come to my house. Graham won’t be there.”

“The only reason I’m there is because that place has a view of the motel where Esme’s staying.” Ronnie felt her chin start to wobble. “My sister’s car is still there. It hasn’t moved. I haven’t seen them walking to the pool, though.” She looked up fearfully. “Is that weird? Should I be worried?”

Of course you should be worried, Andrea wanted to say. But instead, she said, “We can help you spy on her, if you want.”

Ronnie gave them a small, hopeless smile. “Also, the police are calling me nonstop,” she added. “Are they calling you guys?”

“They came to my door,” Lauren said. “I thought it was about you guys—but now, I wonder if it was about Graham.”

“I’ve gotten some calls,” Andrea admitted, and then cleared her throat. “And I called them this morning.” She launched into the story about Carson extorting the parents, everything he said in his office, and how he threatened to spill her secrets if she told.

“So he’s the one threatening us,” Ronnie said, her eyes wide. “He’s the one who knows about Esme.”

“Are we sure Carson didn’t hurt Piper?” Lauren asked. “There’s something really off about him.”

“I don’t think he did,” Ronnie said.

Andrea shot her a look. “What makes you think that for sure?”

Ronnie shifted awkwardly. “I mean, didn’t you just say he had an alibi? People saw him?”

“People can lie.”