Page 19 of Dead Girls Can't Tell Secrets

“Ben’s my brother. He plays baseball for the Liberty U.” Alexandra brushes a dark curl out of her eye. “My mom picked me up from school early so I could make it there in time. I was with my parents the entire afternoon and evening. We even went to dinner with Ben after the game. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone in my family.”

I must not be hiding my disappointment well, because she adds, “I looked up to your sister. When she joined this club, I saw at it as an opportunity to learn from her even more.” She glances at the rest of the club members finishing up their packs. “But if someone really threatened Piper, we should tell Principal Winters.”

“We can’t,” I say, suddenly regretting my tactics. “The evidence is gone. Whoever did it stole Piper’s pack, which had the threat written in it.”

“So what are you going to do?”

I shrug. “Go on this hike. Find out who had a reason to threaten my sister.”

Alexandra looks like she might say something, but the sound of footsteps forces us apart.

Mr. Davis approaches the door, a blue pack slung over his arm by the straps. “Couldn’t find Piper’s, but this one will do.”

I lift it, jiggle it up and down. “Shouldn’t it be…heavier? Piper’s had a tent.”

“You don’t need a tent,” he says. “Someone else will share.”

A few yards away, Grant catches my gaze and makes eyes at me. My cheeks blaze.

Jacey’s not standing guard over the equipment anymore, so I trudge toward it in search of a sleeping bag. A wad of green nylon is nestled in the corner. I tug it out, irritation needling me; it’s not neatly tucked inside its carrying sack.

Slumping to the ground, I stare down the fabric like the formidable opponent it is.

“Need any help?”

I glance up to see Tyler, clothed in black again, chains hanging from his pockets. The black boots he’s wearing are a slightly more hiking-friendly version of his ones from the other day.

“Not unless you possess whatever magical powers it takes to make this thing fit in here.” I motion to the wrinkled sleeping bag sprawled over me.

“As it happens, I do.” He picks up an edge of crinkly fabric and plops down beside me.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” As he works on my sleeping bag, I try to make small talk. “Good thing you brought chains,” I offer. “You know, like, in case we need to secure a mountain lion or something.”

Tyler looks up at me, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “I keep them on hand for just such an emergency.” He finishes the knot on my perfectly bundled sleeping bag.

I get up and reach for it, but he waves me off and stands. “Where’s your pack?”

“Here.” I lead him to it. While he attaches the sleeping bag to the bottom, I stoop to unzip my duffel so I can transfer everything. I tug out a makeup bag, a tube of toothpaste, and a travel bottle of berry-scented lotion.

“Yeah, you can’t bring any of that,” he says, returning my pack.

I quirk my brows at him.

“Bears love that stuff. Might as well be groceries.”

I consider this for the briefest moment. “It’s worth the risk.”

He scratches at his jawline. “You’re not afraid of bears?”

“Of course not. We have chains, remember?”

He laughs, but it falters a moment later as his gaze travels to something behind me.

“Everything good?” Grant asks, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“Mm-hmm. Tyler was trying to convince me that none of you people were planning to brush your teeth. I didn’t believe him.”

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