Page 56 of Another Girl Lost

I pinched a piece of doughnut and popped it in my mouth. I wasn’t a fan of sweets and found it cloying. But I was trying to think mythoughts through before I tossed them at the Judge. “What if she was the Other Girl, the one Della talked about?”

She sighed. “Keep talking.”

“I went by Tiffany’s yesterday. I thought I’d find her, but she’s been gone for days.”

She angled the edge of her fork through the soft doughnut. “Tiffany. Are you still trying to help her?”

“Yes. I feel like I owe her. And I feel like she needs my help.”

“You saved her life.”

“She’s not doing well. Last I saw her, she was so high she could barely focus.”

“That’s not your fault.”

“But I helped Tanner. I was willing—”

She laid her hand on mine. I stared at the dark, wrinkled hand that exuded so much quiet confidence. “You saved her life.”

“But she’s in a bad place and has been for a while. Did I contribute to her issues?”

“We all make our own choices, Scarlett.”

“I chose to move toward Tanner’s open van door because I wanted validation. I also chose to lure Tiffany toward the same van so I could escape.”

“You suffered greatly, but you didn’t let him break you. Tiffany might have always been broken and is using you to justify her own self-destruction.”

“Maybe.”

“No maybe about it.”

I hesitated before the next confession. “I saw a woman twice in the last couple of days. Her hair was short and blond, but she reminded me of Della.”

The Judge exhaled. She’d defended me to the cops when I’d filed reports swearing that I’d seen Della. She’d likely ended up with egg on her face for it.

“I know it’s a little messed up,” I said. “But maybe if I find Tiffany and I can help her, I can finally let it all go.”

She understood I wasn’t seeking her approval. I needed her help locating Tiffany. “Would it help you if I asked around about her?”

“Could you?”

“I know a few cops who can shake the bushes.”

“That would be great.”

“What’re you going to say to her?”

“I don’t know. She called me but didn’t leave a message. She’s reaching out, and I feel like I need to help her.”

“And then what? What if she doesn’t stay clean?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she will this time and maybe I can finally forgive myself.”

The Judge’s expression softened. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

“I wish I could believe that.”

Chapter Sixteen

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