‘Why didn’t you tell me this days ago, Leigh Ann?’ This time, her anger did seep through.

‘I was afraid of getting into trouble myself, and then when Jersey went missing, I knew Holly and Sophie would be so mad… and I was just afraid.’

‘What did Beau do when Rachel walked away?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean, what did he do? Did he go after her? Did he get angry? Grab at her?’

‘Well, um, he watched her, I guess. And yeah, he seemed a bit pissed, but he didn’t follow her or anything. Not that I know of anyway. Like I said, I left right after that.’ Leigh Ann swallowed audibly. ‘Am I in trouble for withholding evidence? Do you have to tell Holly?’

‘I don’t tell my family about my ongoing investigations, Leigh Ann. But my advice to you is that you need to come clean with both Holly and Sophie because when they find out you knew and withheld this information – and they will find out somehow, I’m sure – they’re going to be understandably upset and hurt. You need to try to fix the damage now. It’ll only get worse the longer you wait.’

‘I know. You’re right. It’s just they’re going to be so mad at me. I guess I deserve it though.’

Alyssa didn’t have time to reassure the girl, especially when she was pretty pissed herself. ‘Is that everything you wanted to tell me, Leigh Ann?’

After a brief pause, Leigh Ann admitted, ‘There is one more thing. So, the other day, when Beau came over to your house – I’m sure Holly told you about that – the reason I invited him in was because I wanted to see if he was truly distraught over Jersey’s disappearance or just pretending.’ She snorted. ‘Like I’m some kind of detective or something, right?’

Alyssa clenched her teeth, unclenching them only when a burning pain radiated through her lower jaw. She was still upset that Beau had been at her house with Holly and her friends while she and Cord had been trying to locate him in order to question him about his possible connection with Meghan Jessup.

She pushed her anger aside for the moment. ‘Leigh Ann, listen to me. I want you to stay away from Beau. I wish you’d told me all this sooner, but at least you’re telling me now.’ What Alyssa really wanted to say was If Beau is involved, and we could’ve saved these girls that much sooner, it’s on you.

‘I know you’re disappointed and even mad at me for not coming forward earlier, but I was afraid, you know.’

At some point, Cord had begun pacing, stopping only when Alyssa said goodbye.

‘What’s going on?’ His voice was tight, controlled.

‘I’ll tell you on the way, but right now, it’s time we bring Beau in for questioning.’

It took them less than twenty minutes to reach Beau Cambridge’s house, and only when they’d pulled into the drive, blocking his Jeep in, did Alyssa consider whether or not it was a good idea for Cord to have come along. Maybe it would’ve been wiser to have Joe or Tony meet her here.