Page 88 of Asher's Assignment

If he was, she couldn’t leave with Edie. He’d know.

But how was she supposed to leave the school without a vehicle of her own?

Esther’s eyes tracked the sidewalk that eventually led out to the street. She’d have to walk. Get far enough away her sister wouldn’t see her when she drove in, then call an Uber.

She set off down the path, away from the school, nearly running in her haste to get out of sight before Edie arrived. She also wanted to see if someone truly was following her. The beginnings of a plan had formed in her mind.

Grateful she’d worn boots today and not regular heels, or even flats, she broke into a jog once she was out of sight of the school. Edie would come down the main road, so Esther’s plan was to duck into the adjacent neighborhood. There was a gas station on the other side where she could have an Uber pick her up.

All along the way to the intersection, Esther glanced back every few yards, but saw no one. If Lennox was there, he had mad tracking skills. She never caught a glimpse of anyone.

At the stop sign, she turned, dashing into the sea of ranch-style homes. Still keeping watch, she dug her phone from her bag and pulled up her rarely used Uber app. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take too long for someone to reach her.

She picked the type of car she wanted and typed in her pickup location. After a few more clicks, her ride was confirmed and on the way. She had twelve minutes.

Esther didn’t hesitate. With another look over her shoulder, she called Edie.

Her sister picked up on the second ring. “Where are you? I just pulled in and don’t see you.”

“I got a note. A courier dropped it at the school, and the office manager gave it to me on my way out. I’m supposed to get Lindy and take her to the address listed on the letter.”

A short pause came over the line. “Wait, what? The letter said Lindy? Not Connie.”

“Yep.”

“And he left you an address? What is it? Wait, hang on. I need something to write with.”

Esther heard some rustling, then a soft clatter.

“Shit. Stupid console… Sorry. I hit the bottom of my bag on the armrest and dropped it. I’m ready now.”

“Twenty-two forty-seven Sorrell Lane.”

Edie repeated it back as she wrote it down. “Okay. Did he give a timeframe?”

“No. The note says he’s watching, but I haven’t seen anyone. I don’t see how he could be sure I’d get the letter today. What if Nan had just put it in my mailbox? Even if I hadn’t taken the next two days off, it would be tomorrow before I’d see it if she did that.”

“Good point. It could be he’s just prepared for you to show up whenever.”

“Do you think that’s where he’s holding them?”

“No. I think he’s got cameras on site, so he can see when you arrive, but they’re not there. I bet they’re nearby, though. This is good. This gives us a solid area to look. Where are you? I’ll come get?—”

“No! No, you can’t. I need to do what he says. You call the others. Come up with a plan. But I’m taking an Uber to the Tylers’ house, collecting Connie, then going to that address.”

“Esther…”

“I know you don’t like the idea, but we need to make it look like we’re following his instructions. I doubt he’ll harm Leah, but Asher could be in real danger.”

“What about the officer Stroud left at her house? He’s probably still there. You have to get past him.”

“Let me worry about him. But don’t tell Stroud. Not until you hear from me that I’ve got her and we’re away from the house.”

Edie’s sigh turned into a growl. “I really don’t like this.”

“I’m not asking for permission. And we’re wasting time. Go back to my house and talk to the others. I have to go.” Esther stabbed the button to end the call before Edie could respond. It probably left her fuming, but she didn’t care. Edie needed to trust her. Esther had faith in her sister and their friends. Edie needed to lay off the control freak side of her personality.

Hustling through the neighborhood, Esther made it to the gas station with two minutes to spare. So she didn’t look like a weirdo, loitering outside, she went in and grabbed a drink—which she needed after her jaunt—and watched out the windows for her ride. A quick glance at the app showed “Amanda” was two blocks away.

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