Page 87 of In Her Eyes

The Adam’s apple in his throat bobs. “I love you, brother. So proud of you. I win.” His voice cracks on the last word.

“I win?” Ava repeats.

He looks around, but it’s like he’s not really seeing anything. His gaze is distracted, as if in a world of his own. “We had this silly game since we were kids. Whoever said the last word won.”

“Oh . . .” Ava says, her response nearly soundless.

The chief blinks, and his eyes find her face, focusing. Wherever he was, he’s coming back now, returning to himself, the chief of police mask sliding in place.

He lost a brother, and I lost a sister. He should know better. He should understand where I’m coming from. The fire that fueled my anger is flickering awake again. I tamp it down. He forgot all about his gun. I walk to the spot where he dropped it, pick up the Glock, and make sure the safety is on. I give it back to him, handle first.

He holsters it. Wipes sweat from his forehead and runs a hand over his shaved head, then turns in a circle as if trying to situate himself. “How the fuck am I going to explain any of this?”

Ava takes a step closer to him. “I can’t be involved. My name can’t be on any reports. That was my only condition to helping Jake, and it still stands. I will help in any way I can, but it can’t be tracked back to me.”

“With that, I agree. I don’t want to explain any of it to the DA.”

Ava’s shoulders drop, and she releases a breath. “Thank you.”

He looks at me. “And that’s how you found the other one.”

It wasn’t a question, but I answer anyway. “Yeah, now you know why I’ve kept tight-lipped about everything.”

He reaches for his phone. “We have to get the boys in here and search the area.”

“Wait. I’ll walk Ava to her car first. Let me get her out of here, then you can call dispatch.”

She shows me her phone and points at a spot on a map. Her car pin.

“If you think I’m letting you walk alone in these woods, you’re crazy.”

“I’ll stay here,” the chief says. “And Miss Ava?”

“Yes?”

He nods once, hands on his waist. “Thank you.”

She smiles, and I think he has a crush on her now.

Journal

How is he finding them?

I left no clues. Nothing to follow.

I don’t like this game anymore.

Time to clear the entire board.

Chapter43

Avalon

I gaze at the ocean,the deep green waves rolling onto the beach and erasing footprints. Everything is temporary. The waves of time erase all things.

The sea breeze ruffles my hair, and I push it off my face. “Do you have a hair tie?”

Lynn digs into her huge beach tote. “Found it.”

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