Page 131 of See How They Hide

“She planned to, but I think she’s hedging her bets.”

“Something’s going on in the barn,” Michael said. “Dean needs backup.”

Kara held Matt’s eye for another beat. In that moment, she silently said all she wanted to say. And it was as if he read her mind.

I love you. Don’t scare me again.

He smiled at her and mouthed,I love you, too.

A woman came out of one of the cabins holding a tray. She stared at Riley. “Riley?Riley?Is that you?”

Great, Kara thought. So much for stealth.

The barn doors opened. Calliope stood there. In person, Kara was stunned at how accurate Riley’s drawing had been. It was as if her mother had posed for her.

“I knew you would come home,” Calliope said loudly, her arms spread wide. “My beautiful, sweet girl.” She scowled at Kara. “Go away.”

“Not going to happen,” Kara said. “Where Riley goes, I go.”

Calliope stared at Matt and Michael, frowned. She opened her mouth to speak, but Riley interrupted her.

“You have destroyed Havenwood, Mother. I won’t let you hurt anyone else.”

“You are mydaughter. You left me. But you came back, just like I knew you would.”

“I came back to stop you.” Riley raised her voice. “Havenwood! You know I speak the truth! Calliope has kept you in prison long enough. You are now free to come and go as you please.”

Calliope scowled. “That is not how this works. You know better.”

“You’re scared, Mother. You must be terrified that you kidnapped a federal agent, which will bring the wrath of the government down here to our valley.”

They had drawn a crowd and Kara couldn’t tell whether these people sided with Riley or with Calliope. She couldn’t keep her eyes on all of them at once. Slowly, she, Matt, and Michael shifted so their backs were to the giant tree so no one could get them from behind. But still, they were sitting ducks. The entire village seemed to come out of the cabins, the greenhouse, the paths.

The barn doors opened again and two men went immediately to Calliope’s side.

“It wasn’t my decision,” Calliope said. “It was a mistake. But I adapted. I’ve always adapted when other people screw everything up. My mother, my sister, my father—all dead because they screwed up!”

A gunshot rang out and Kara pushed Riley to the ground, gun in hand.

“Shut up!” A blond man held a .45. He had come not from the barn, but from a path behind it. He was only twenty feet from the group, and he didn’t look well. Riley had drawn him, but Kara didn’t remember his name until she said it.

“Evan,” Riley whispered.

Matt was only a few feet behind Kara and Riley. He motioned for Kara to stay down. He and Michael sidestepped so they were partly obscured by the giant tree.

“Everyone, do not drink anything in that barn!” Evan shouted. “Calliope poisoned the tea. She would rather everyone die than admit she destroyed Havenwood.”

Murmurs in the group.

“Liar,” Calliope said, her face red with anger. “Traitor!”

“It’s the truth,” Evan said. “I killed Jane. Ikilledher. I didn’t want to, but I did for you, Calliope. I lost everything and everyone I loved. You twisted my grief and I didn’t see the truth until now. You are the killer.”

He turned to the group. Out of the corner of his eye, Matt saw Dean and Sloane behind the barn, eyes on the situation. No one had a clear shot of Evan. People or trees were in the line of fire. Dean was trying to maneuver to get to a better position.

“She killed Athena,” Evan said. “You all remember Athena, everyone loved her. I heard Anton and Calliope discussing her death. Theykilledher. And so many others. Anyone who wanted to leave. And you know it! You all know it and donothing.”

Riley slowly rose. Kara tried to pull her back down, but Riley sidestepped Kara to get out of her reach.

---