Page 176 of Buried Too Deep

Sage hadn’t realized the PI had followed him to the librarian’s house two nights before, or to where he’d met—and ended—Sanjay.

It would be just like Alan to have Sage set fire to the Caulfields’ home, only to have law enforcement waiting to arrest him.

Sonofabitch.

Sage stared at the house with the green door, his mind swirling with too many thoughts. If he didn’t kill this family, Alan would turn him in for killing the old librarian and Sanjay.

His grandfather had a sterling reputation in New Orleans. And any truths Sage could tell on his grandfather would only boomerang back at him. He’d be charged for the deeds Alan had directed him to do.

I’m screwed.

And angry. So very angry.

He couldn’t just sit here, though. Either he left and let Alan do his worst or…

Or I get out of this car and do the devil’s bidding.

He tugged on his wig and pushed the fake glasses up on his nose, then got out of the car and closed the door quietly. He’d scout out the area and then decide. No reason to announce his presence. There were trees on either side of the house and he walked through them, keeping out of sight.

“Hello!”

Sage wheeled around at the chipper voice and found himself face-to-face with Ashley Caulfield. His mouth opened and closed, words refusing to materialize.

She was his cousin.

She looked like she could be his sister.

He was supposed to kill her.

Grandfather, I truly hate you.

“Hi,” he managed. “Who are you?”

“I’m Ashley.” She smiled winningly and patted the collie at her side. The dog was old, his face white with age. Sage remembered the dog jumping after a ball, so the old boy still had some kick left in him. He’d have to remember that. Old dogs could bite, too. “This is Toto,” she added.

Sage found himself smiling. “I thought Toto was supposed to be a little dog.”

“Well, my Toto was little once.” She made a face. “He grew.”

Sage’s smile faded. There was something…different about Ashley Caulfield. She was almost childlike. “Dogs do that sometimes. I’ve never had a dog.”

Alan hadn’t allowed it.

I should have gotten myself a dog when I moved out. But he hadn’t. He’d still been under his grandfather’s thumb, even though he no longer lived in the same house.

He still wasn’t free.

“Where are your parents, Ashley?” he asked gently.

“Oh, they’re in the house.” She waved at the house with the green door. “Probably taking a nap. But they have to wake up soon and take me to work.”

“Where do you work?”

“At the drugstore in town.” She smiled again. “I stock shelves and see if people need carts.”

“Do you like your job?”

“I do. My boss is nice, and I like the people who come in to shop.”

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