Page 61 of Little Empty Promises

“How did he come by this information?”I asked.

“I’m not sure.He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask.Is it true?Did you find a new piece of evidence?”

I thought about my conversation with Rosalyn the morning before and how I’d heard rustling in the bushes nearby.And then there was the feeling that came over me as I walked to Kayla’s house, a feeling like I was being watched.It seemed I was being watchedandfollowed.As to how the kid knew what he knew, that was easy for me to figure out.The windows in Kayla’s house had been open during our conversation.

How much had the kid heard?

And was he prepared to write about it?

The mere thought of it made me nauseous.

“Where is Donovan now?”I asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Why don’t you call him and find out?I’m guessing you have his phone number.”

“Yes, I have it, but I’m not going to do that, Georgiana.”

“Fine, I’ll figure out where he is, and we’ll have a little chat.”

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t.”

“I don’t appreciate being followed,” I said, jabbing a finger at him for emphasis.“But I was, and I need to make sure it never happens again.”

Benjamin leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs.“Cordelia was spying on her neighbors.Seems she saw some things she shouldn’t have.You’ve spoken with the wives of both neighbors.Which one murdered her?”

“Who murdered Cordelia is still being investigated, and as for this conversation … it’s over.”

25

The moment Donovan locked eyes on me when I exited the car, he turned and began sprinting in the opposite direction.He was young, in his twenties I guessed, and he had a face that reminded me of a ferret.While scrawny, he was quick on his feet.Given the heeled shoes I’d chosen to wear that morning weren’t ideal, I kicked them off and chased after him.

In my mind, I told myself I was fast enough to catch him.In reality, he was a lot nimbler than I’d expected.Running after him, barefoot, on the sidewalk, didn’t feel great.My lucky break came when he glanced back just long enough to assess the distance between us.Just for long enough a time that he tripped over a child’s scooter and flew over it, tumbling to the ground.

I caught up to him, waited for him to catch his breath, and then I reached down, offering him a hand.

He looked up at me, shielding his face with his hand like he feared I might strike him.

“Take my hand, Donovan,” I said, “And no more running, okay?”

Donovan accepted the hand I’d offered but didn’t make eye contact.When I got him back on his feet again, he bowed his head and said, “Sorry.”

“If you’re sorry, why did you run?”

“I was … I don’t know.I saw you, and it was the first thing that came to mind.”

“I just want to talk.”

“I can’t believe Benjamin sold me out.”

“I’m not sure why you’re surprised.Benjamin’s a politician in every sense of the word.If you haven’t learned that by now, you better.”

“Guess you’re right.”

“You’ve been following me.”

“No, I haven’t.”

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