Page 46 of Hunting Pretty

Once Aisling’s hands were clasped around a steaming mug of Earl Grey with way too much milk and way, way too much sugar, I tried again.

“Aisling,” I asked, leaning over the table, pushing aside my saucer. “Tell us why you think it’s your fault she’s gone.”

Aisling stared into her tea as if it might have answers. “I was supposed to meet her out the night she… disappeared.”

The moment Aisling’s words sank in, it felt like someone had poured ice water through my veins. My heart skipped a beat.

This was it—the first real lead, the first solid thread I could pull on since she vanished.

Aisling knew the location… the place Liath was just before she disappeared.

“Where?” I asked, my heart racing.

Aisling sniffed and ran a hand across her button nose. “At The Vault.”

The Vault was an upscale bar, aptly named because it was located in the literal stone vaults of an old medieval dungeon in Temple Bar.

It was one of Liath’s favorite places to party. Lisa and I had met up with her and Aisling there often.

“What happened?” I asked.

Tears welled up in Aisling’s pale-blue eyes. “I was running late. By the time I’d gotten there, she was gone.”

“Aisling,” Lisa said, tucking an arm around her shoulders, “you can’t blame yourself.”

“It’s not your fault, babe,” I agreed. “Did you tell the police all this?”

Aisling snorted. “Fucking cops. They’re such eejits. So are her parents. Liath didn’t fucking run away.”

I knew it. I fucking knew it.

Here was proof Liath didn’t run away.

She had plans to meet her own best friend on the night she disappeared.

I frowned. It didn’t make any sense. And it shouldn’t have made any sense to the police. If they had Aisling’s testimony, they should have kept investigating. So why didn’t they?

Something didn’t sit right in my gut.

“Itismy fault.” Aisling began to sob again. “If my battery hadn’t died… If I had just gotten there on time… he wouldn’t have taken her.”

He.

A sensation like a thousand tiny insects crawling under my skin made me shudder.

Was this Liath’s stalker? Was he the same man as my stalker?

“Aisling,” I said, leaning in even closer, “Liath left me a message about being stalked by someone. Is that who you’re talking about?”

Aisling let out a wail and her mug slipped from her hands, smashing onto the table, hot milky tea spilling over the edges of the table.

Lisa cursed, snatching a napkin and trying to mop up the mess.

I was sure half the dining hall was staring by now but I didn’t care.

I remained focused on Aisling.

“Aisling,” I urged, “do you know whoheis?”

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