Page 20 of The Breakdown

She shook her head again, unable to voice the lie.

“You just saw the vehicle then?”

“Yes, sir. I saw the vehicle.”

He scribbled some more and closed his folder. “Did you see anything else unusual? Another vehicle maybe?”

“No, sir. It was storming so I didn’t stick around. I just continued on home.” She felt her face flush with guilt and she prayed he wouldn’t notice.

“Guess the driver found another way home.” He secured the folder against his hip and slid his pen into his shirt pocket. He dug into his back pocket and retrieved a business card. “Call me if you think of anything else. Anything at all.”

“I will.”

“Thank you for your time.” He shook her hand again.

“No problem.” He walked away, turning to look at Vaughn one last time as he was climbing in his SUV. She waved, watched him drive away, and headed back toward the corral. She had her head down, staring at the ground when she heard her name. She looked to her right and saw Natalie jogging up to her from the vicinity of the guesthouse. She seemed breathless when she reached her, but Vaughn could tell it wasn’t from the brief exertion of the run.

“Who was that?” she asked, looking back at the retreating vehicle. Its tires were kicking up dust as it drove back down the long drive and out of sight.

“A fire investigator.”

“Shit. Really?” Her eyes grew wide as she searched Vaughn’s face. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him I didn’t see anyone. That I just saw the fire and continued on home.”

“Oh my God, thank you. Thank you so much.”

Vaughn stared off into the blowing trees, feeling uncomfortable about the whole encounter. “You’re welcome.” She started walking again. Natalie followed.

“Are you okay?”

“Sure.”

“You don’t sound it.”

“No? How do I sound?”

“You sound kind of pissed.”

“Nope.”

“You sure?”

“Yep.”

Natalie lightly gripped her arm, causing her to pause. Vaughn held her gaze for only a moment before she looked away. She didn’t want to upset her or cause any trouble. It was best left alone. Besides, she wasn’t one to hash things out. She preferred to let things be.

“Tell me,” Natalie insisted. “Please.”

Vaughn chewed her lip, debating. She felt Natalie’s grip tighten on her arm as she pleaded again. She could tell Natalie wasn’t going to let her off the hook, so she spoke freely.

“I don’t like lying,” she said. “Under any circumstances.”

Natalie seemed at a loss. She stammered. “I—don’t either. But this is different. I’m—trying to hide—he—” She stopped. “If it bothers you, I can go. I don’t have to stay. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

Vaughn looked into her eyes. They were so crystal clear and green, almost the color of her mother’s birthstone ring. The one she always wore unless she was painting. She hadn’t seen that ring or her mother in close to a year. She suddenly longed for her to visit and she wondered what she would think of Natalie.

“You don’t have to leave,” she said. She wanted her to stay, wanted her to remain safe. Yet, she wasn’t quite sure why she felt so protective of her. Was it because of her aunt and her experience? Or was it something more?

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