Grabbing the items I’d come for, I cracked the closet door and watched for any sign of movement. When no one stirred, I pushed the door open and stepped out, closing it behind me. Standing near the bed, I stared down at the two faces that had just handed me a powder keg full of information. I was tempted to end the game now by finding a knife and slitting their throats. My hand itched at that delicious thought. It was the same way I’d planned to kill my parents, but I was forced to miss out.

Snapping a few photos, I turned and meandered my way out of the house toward the backyard and the way I’d arrived. Leaping over the fence, I landed softly and strolled along like it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The hat I was wearing was pulled low, and the hoodie over it concealed my face from almost everyone or anything. The fleabag mutt hadn’t gone far and picked up the leash from the grass a few backyards down from Margaret’s.

“Couldn’t figure out which way to go?” I said to the dog. Of course, there was no response, but the dog’s head twisted while he listened. “Today is your lucky day.”

I began to walk, and the dog stood to trot along beside me.

A smile pulled at the corner of my mouth. The world certainly worked in mysterious ways, and if I believed in God, which I didn’t, I would say he had one sick sense of humor and was enjoying the drama of the reality television show he’d created.

Chapter 24

CAIN

As one day blended into the next, I realized that Kirby had come to a standstill with her development. She was still giving me heated stars, but she was steadfast in her decision to keep me at arm’s length. This annoyed me and fascinated me, which led me to this moment.

Walking into the workroom, Kirby looked up from where she was sitting cross-legged on the foam. There was very little fear when her eyes found me, but I could see the withdrawal in her eyes. She was folding into herself when I wanted her to come out.

“Hi,” I said, and Kirby looked from side to side.

“Um…Hi.”

“I brought you this.” Holding out the hot coffee that was her favorite from Mode.

I told the owner Jorge that Kirby was away visiting her sick father and asked me to go in to make her apologies for leaving without saying a word. He then offered up her favorite coffee to me like that would make me feel better. I wasn’t sure how that was supposed to make me feel better, but it did spark this situation.

“You got me coffee?”

“Yes, apparently, it’s your favorite. Jorge made it specifically for you.”

Her eyebrow rose. “You didn’t kill him, did you?” she said, her voice worried.