Page 129 of Another Girl Lost

Della had tied me up into dozens of emotional knots. Hate twisted into fear, into need, into friendship. “I called you Della when I first saw you.”

“The girl that lured you into Tanner’s lair.” She looked toward the portrait. “Is she Della?”

“Yes.”

“Counseling is nothing to be ashamed of, Scarlett. You might want to check in with your mental health care provider.”

“I’m right about you.”

“Or Della is your way of justifying your own bad decisions. Della made you get in Tanner’s van when in fact you got in willingly. Dellacouldn’t lure Tiffany, so you did. And when it all went sideways, Della vanished. Della explains away all your poor choices.”

“I didn’t make her up.”

“Memories and truth can blend in ways we can’t ever imagine. I think your Della started off as a cover to justify your guilt. But as time went on, Della became real and now you don’t know the difference between fact and fiction. I’m not blaming you, Scarlett.” Her gaze softened. “Given the trauma you suffered, it’s a wonder you function so well.”

In a few words she’d painted me as permanently damaged and confused. “How did you get away? He beat you up so badly.”

“Honey, I’m not Della,” she said softly. “I’m Officer Margo Larsen. I’m a cop. And I’m not sure why you’ve fixated on me.”

“Tanner and his sins have been dead and buried for ten years. And then you arrive in Norfolk, Sandra’s body is found, and Tiffany dies.”

She cocked an eyebrow, but the hints of amusement were gone. “What’s your point?”

“Why did you come back? You were free and clear. Were you bored?”

“I’m not Della, honey.”

“You are. And I’m going to prove it.”

She folded her arms. “You know what I think? Your mother died recently, and as often happens with a parent’s passing, old issues rise to the surface. Guilt over Sandra’s death prompted you to call in the body’s location. And then you run into Tiffany. A part of you wants to help her, but the other part sees her as another bad memory. Maybe she was pressing you for money to fuel her drug problem. And what about Lynn? She’s accused you of stalking. I just happened to arrive in Norfolk as your shit show danced onto center stage.”

Della had been so persuasive. She’d coaxed me into the van and convinced me that Tanner was trying to save us and finally to lure Tiffany. She’d made me believe she was a friend. And now the very convincing Margo was trying to put all the blame on my shoulders.

“I’m going to prove you’re Della.” I turned and walked toward the door. My hand on the knob, I said, “I’m not a lonely fifteen-year-old any longer.”

“You’re just as vulnerable as that kid.” She shrugged. “At least, I assume.”

“What’s that mean?”

Margo grinned. “I guess we’ll see.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

SCARLETT

Then

Ninety-plus days in the basement

My eyes were still adjusting to the bright sunshine when Tanner backed into a parking spot across from Mike’s Diner. Della’s bruised and battered body and swollen eyes still fresh in my mind, I watched the people passing by the van. They were in the real world, and I was trapped inside this toxic bubble.

The air was warm, and the sunshine on my face should have been intoxicating, but it was terrifying. I didn’t know how to act or behave on the outside.

Freshly showered, I wore an old checkered dress that was two sizes too big. I ran my fingers over damp hair. Tanner had forced me into the shower, turned on the hot spray, and handed me soap as he’d watched me wash away the dirt. When I was dry, he tossed the dress at me. Its rough poly blend felt as foreign to me as everything else in my life.

It was seven o’clock in the morning and the diner was filling up with customers. Most looked like tradesmen grabbing a quick hearty breakfast before the day’s work.

“Scarlett, go inside and order a plate of pancakes, extra bacon, and scrambled eggs.” He fished a twenty out of his pocket. “Also, three coffees and biscuits to go. Della’s in rough shape and will need to eat.”

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