Page 100 of See How They Hide

Riley had faked her death.

Why was he surprised, when he knew Jane had left? Why was he surprised, when he knew so many others had walked away? There were signs, but he didn’t see them because Riley, Jane, Timmy, and Cal were best friends. Inseparable.

He closed his eyes and put his face in his hands. He knew the truth, but most people at Havenwood didn’t. Calliope had convinced everyone that Thalia was akin to the boogeyman. They believed she killed Robert, who was beloved. For a time, Evan believed it as well and hated her. Then Calliope told them that Thalia and Robert had stolen all the money from their accounts and disappeared together, implying that they were romantically involved. Evan learned to hate them both for the betrayal. Not just because of the affair—he couldn’t care less about that—but taking from the mouths of the children.

Havenwood suffered. For two years, they barely held it together. Athena’s illness, Thalia’s betrayal, Robert’s theft...it was almost too much to bear.

It got better. Because they worked hard and were disciplined. Because they cared about their village and about each other. It wasn’t easy, and some people complained, but they made it through. When people disappeared, Calliope said Thalia had snuck in and killed them. They had funerals for the fallen.

But Thalia hadn’t killed them, she took them. They wanted to leave. Evan and Anton and a few others Calliope trusted told the others that they’d found the bodies, made sure to provide enough evidence that no one questioned their statements.

If too many people left, they couldn’t manage the land, the barns, the crops. Havenwood would cease to exist.

The ideal number was one hundred thirty people. They could function with one hundred and ten. But they were down to ninety-two, and many were too young to work.

They were imploding, and Evan feared there was no fixing what was broken.

He would never leave. Havenwood had saved him and Timmy.

Timmy is dead. Jane is dead.

He had Calliope.

At least, some of the time.

Anton and Ginger walked into the motel with two bags of fast food. The greasy smell made Evan’s stomach even queasier than his guilt. “The plan is in motion,” Anton said. “Marcus and Karin will be here in the morning with the body.”

“I don’t think it’s going to work,” Evan said.

“It will work,” Anton said. “Have faith, brother.”

“There are feds all over the place. And local cops. If she comes out, she’ll be surrounded.”

“If they die, they die,” Anton said. “We will take Riley by any means necessary. And I have a plan to make sure there are fewer cops around to improve our odds.” He clapped Evan on the back. “Eat, then sleep.”

Ginger had already dug into her burger. Evan couldn’t even stand the smell.

“I need to walk.”

Anton looked him in the eye. “Are you okay?”

He shrugged. “Seeing Riley really shook me.”

Anton nodded. “Me, too, buddy. Me, too.”

36

Quantico, Virginia

Catherine wanted to go home.

It was seven at night and she had been in her office since before seven that morning. While she was used to long hours, the last two years had seen her family torn apart and put back together.

She wanted tobehome. With her husband and daughter and a warm fire and glass of wine.

When the email came in from Kara, she almost ignored it and left. She didn’t like Kara Quinn. While she reluctantly admitted Kara was a competent cop, she wasn’t suited for the FBI. She was reckless and rough around the edges. She had no...class.Maybeclasswas the wrong word. She had no...sense of detachment. They were supposed to be observers, investigators, analysts. Kara put herself in the middle of every case, as if the plight of the victims was her plight, as if the pursuit of justice was solelyherpursuit.

And, she had won Matt’s heart.

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