Page 33 of Silent Road

The man clenched his jaw tight as he adjusted his focus, forgetting all about the mountain lion now.He watched as Davidson repeated the same jump three times, checking his phone after each attempt.Each take more artificial than the last.

Stupid punk.Thinks the whole world is there for his amusement, doesn't he?

Something stirred in the man as he watched—a familiar pressure building behind his eyes.Davidson would make one final jump, he knew.One perfect, authentic jump.And he would be there to capture it.

He began packing his gear with practiced efficiency.Each lens cleaned, each cap secured.Everything is in its proper place.Order was essential.His father had taught him that too.

The cold had settled into his bones, but he welcomed it.The bite of winter, the sting of wind—these were real sensations.Not like the fake excitement Davidson was manufacturing on the slopes above.

He checked his watch.Time was a canvas, and he was its master.He had all day to get his next shot, all day to make sure it was perfect.

Moving through the deep snow, he began plotting his approach.Davidson was so focused on his phone, his followers, his performance.He would never notice the silent figure drawing closer, preparing to help him achieve his finest—and final—moment of truth.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Katie Walsh's mother answered the door, coffee cup in hand."Sheriff Stone?Is everything okay?"

"I hope so, Mrs.Walsh.Is Katie home?I need to speak with her about Star."

"Of course, come in."She gestured to Sheila inside."Katie!Sheriff Stone is here!"

The Walsh house smelled of fresh coffee and cinnamon rolls.Katie Walsh was Star's best friend, and if anyone knew where to find Star, it would be Katie.Sheila was hoping Star had spent the night here, but if not, maybe Katie could point her in the right direction.

Family photos lined the entryway—Katie through the years, from toddler to teenager, always smiling.The kind of childhood Star never had.

Katie appeared at the top of the stairs, her long red hair pulled back in a messy bun.She wore pajama pants and an oversized sweatshirt that read "Coldwater High Drama Club."

"Sheriff Stone?"Katie looked confused."What's going on?"

Sheila tried to keep her voice casual, as if this were more a formality than anything else."Star didn't come home last night.I was hoping she might be here."

Katie descended the stairs, shaking her head."I haven't seen her in a few days.Not since..."She trailed off, glancing at her mother.

Mrs.Walsh took the hint."I'll let you two talk," she said, disappearing into the kitchen.

Once her mother was gone, Katie's demeanor changed.She seemed nervous, fidgeting with the sleeve of her sweatshirt."Is Star in trouble?"

"I just need to find her."Sheila studied the girl's face."You said you hadn't seen her since…?"

Katie cleared her throat, avoiding Sheila's eyes."We had a bit of a falling out a few days ago."

"Oh?"This surprised Sheila.Star and Katie had been thick as thieves, last she checked.What else didn't she know?

"What was it about?"she asked.

"About a mutual friend."Katie shrugged one shoulder."Anyway, we don't really hang out much anymore."

"Did you talk with her at school yesterday?"

Katie hesitated, then met Sheila's eyes for a nervous moment."That's just it—she hasn't been going."

Sheila took a moment to absorb this."She hasn't been going to school?"The words came out carefully controlled, masking the surge of fear that threatened to overwhelm her.Sheila knew she'd been a bit distant, a bit distracted by work, but how had she not realized Star wasn't even going to school?

Katie nodded, looking uneasy.

"Where has she been spending her time, then?"The question came out sharper than Sheila intended, but she couldn't help it.Every horrible possibility a cop could imagine flashed through her mind.

"Sometimes at a friend's place.Sometimes at the mall.There's this group that hangs out at the coffee shop on Main—older kids who dropped out."Katie's voice got smaller."I tried telling her those people were bad news, but she said they were the only ones who understood her."

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