Caleb was the one who told us about the money Fiona asked Thatcher for.
So that has to be the answer. The money.
But if we go with Seth’s stupid theories, that it’s Gen or Jeremy, that doesn’t make sense. Neither of them has money. Neither does Mrs. Rodriguez.
And whoever was shooting at us at the ravine—what could be out there that they don’t want us to find?
I want to go back and look around. But I’m not dumb enough to go on my own after that.
My dad would want to know about this. I’m sure he would. Same with Davy.
But then I’ll have to tell them what I’ve been up to. And they’ll put a stop to it. I know they will.
And I won’t have gotten anywhere. Fiona’s and Thatcher’s killer is still out there.
I clean up my dishes. Sadie’s whining at the door. I don’t really want to go out by myself right now, but I should be okay doing a quick walk around the block.
As I wait for Sadie to do her business, I can’t help but check my Seth phone. What’s he doing right now? Having a casual dinner after all that? Did he and Kendall tell their parents about the gunshots? Or are the cops Kendall called there now, combing the woods?
Then I wonder if Seth’s dad is there tonight. I shiver, thinking of the way he looked at me the last time I saw him.
And then I’m still.
Olivia, just—
Harold Montgomery called me by my mother’s name.
I didn’t register it at the time. But I remember it now.
I didn’t even know he knew my mom.
Was there anyone else?
My dad, looking away. Not that I was aware of.
What if my mom didn’t just have an affair with Mr. Rodriguez?
What if she slept with Harold Montgomery, too?
And what if, years later, Fiona found out about it? And used the information to blackmail him?
My first instinct is to say there was no way Fiona would have done that. But with the American Ballet Academy hanging in the balance—it’s starting to feel like there was nothing she wouldn’t do.
I’m suddenly cold all over.
Sadie is waiting patiently for me a few feet away. I quickly pick up after her and head back home.
My house is dark now. I unlock the front door, hang up Sadie’s leash, and head to my room.
Maybe I should go to the police. Tell them everything from my perspective.
I get a queasy feeling in my stomach thinking of bringing Carter my theory without letting Seth know. But what if I’m right and his dad is involved? Would Harold Montgomery really off his own nephew? I don’t know him well enough to be sure.
And what if the police are actually compromised? If the Montgomerys have paid them off?
That’s even more likely if one of the adults is involved.
And I have no proof. Only my hunch. Which they’d never take seriously.
I’m lost in thought, fingers tugging on Fiona’s necklace, as I open my bedroom door and fumble for the light switch.
But before I can reach it, a hand closes on my arm, drawing me into the darkness of my own room.
31
I start to scream. But a hand clamps down on my mouth, muffling it. I have a moment of panic—Seth was right, someone was following me, they tried to shoot us, and now they’ve hunted me down, I’m going to die right here in my room, my dad and brother just upstairs, where is Sadie, is Sadie okay—
“Shhhh, shhhh, Addie, it’s me!”
I freeze.
And then my eyes adjust to the darkness, and I look into the eyes of my captor.
It’s Gen.
She releases me. My heart is still pounding in my chest as she flips on the light.
I take in my ex–best friend. She’s dressed in torn jean shorts and a white crop top, her long black hair loose over her thin, tanned shoulders. Her nails have chipped gold polish on them, and there are dark circles under her eyes.