Page 52 of When the Woods Go Silent

“Two of our officers spoke with you last week about some supposed break-ins. Anything new on that?”

I can almost hear the wavering in Rose’s mind before she says, “Nothing new. The alarms were tested and haven’t picked up anything else weird.”

I stop myself from looking at her, because I will definitely not be able to keep a calm face. Not with the weirdness we were just discussing upstairs.

“And you’re both new in town, right?” The officer scans the shop behind us, probably taking mental notes on the changes we’re making.

“Yes, a few weeks ago,” I confirm. “We’ve been here in the shop most of that time, getting it ready.”

The officer looks like he wants to come in and look the place over, but he doesn’t ask, and I don’t offer. “The young women were last seen together at the restaurant calledGoblin Market, two nights ago. Their social media accounts were updated with these pictures, and phones were last pinged in the building. Do you know the place?”

I nod, something sour curdling in my stomach.

“Um, yeah. We’ve been there a couple of times,” Rose says, and we exchange loaded glances. “We were there last night, actually. For... for a double date.”

The cop narrows his eyes and flicks his head in the direction of the restaurant, although you can’t see it from our shop. I know Rose had to say it, but I suddenly feel like we might become suspects because of it.

“I’ve been told the place was closed the last two nights. But you were there? And you didn’t see these girls?”

“No,” I say quickly. “I mean, yes, we were there. But it was just the two of us, the owner Torrence, and his friend Arlo. They were closed, and the rest of the building was empty, as far as I know.”

“And you’d been there before? Did anything look different? Suspicious?”

Rose and I both shake our heads, and she adds, “No. It all looked normal, just like it did when we went before, when they were open.”

“And I was on the rooftop with Torrence after dinner. We were watching the moon,” I explain, feeling silly. Then I think about how I woke up alone, and a shiver runs down my spine. I barely know him and Arlo, and new people are even harder for me to read. I could have missed anything.

The cop reaches for the photo, finally looking like he’s ready to move on to another interview.

“Well, thank you both for the information. We’ll be in touch if we have more questions. Call us if you think of any details that might be relevant. But be careful. This isn’t the first time young people have gone missing around here,” he warns, and my eyebrows shoot up.

Holy hell. That isdefinitelynot good. I lock up carefully after they leave, and by the time I look back at Rose, she’s got her worried mama-bear face on.

“I’m so sorry, Rosey-” I begin, but she waves her hand impatiently.

“You really need to stop hiking alone at night, Ru,” she blurts, and guilt squeezes my stomach.

“I know. I will, promise. Maybe those girls just stayed overnight with a couple of the hot servers, and they’ll turn up soon,” I offer, wishing I could believe it. The photos had reminded me way too much of Rose and me, going out together, walking home alone, and never worrying about a thing.

“Seriously, Ru. That ghost story about the people disappearing might be tied to an actual killer who was never caught. Don’t go by yourself. At least take me.” She grimaces at the thought, and I give her a tiny smile, desperate to fix our fight.

“Or, I could use it as a good excuse to spend more time hiking with Torrence. He could fight off anyone who comes after me, and then I can give him a thank-you kiss.” I wink at her. She rolls her eyes, but I think her anxiety is lifting a bit.

“Unless he’s the reason those girls are missing. It sounds a little too much like that ‘Sweet Dreamer’ story.”

I frown, my brain rejecting the warning in her voice. “But he’s only been living here a few years, and you said that was like, twenty years ago. Besides, he’s way too worried about his restaurant - I’m surprised he even made time for the date last night.” Something in my tone must tip her off, and she narrows her eyes at me.

“Wait. What happened on your date? Mine was shit - please tell me yours was better.”

“It was definitely better,” I assure her, stalling. I don’t want to tell her that Torrence kind of just left me for a work problem. His business really does come first. But in the end, I tell her everything, even the weird encounter with Arlo. Because that’s how we are, and I don’t want to return her secret-keeping with any of my own.

“I don’t love that he left you alone up there. It’s problematic in so many ways,” Rose murmurs as we pad back upstairs to our kitchen. She pours another full mug of coffee and settles at the little breakfast nook. “But you still want to see him again?”

I sigh, understanding the truth should embarrass me, although it doesn’t. “Yeah. It’s hard to explain, but there’s something about him that draws me in. I want to get to know him better before making any judgments.”

“You mean you want a little more action,” she teases, and I wiggle my eyebrows at her, glad the mood is finally lightening.

“Slow, girly. I’m taking it slow.”

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