Page 33 of Secrets on Sapphire

Gin and Tonic

“She said she couldn’t meet.” Sarah put the phone back in her pocket as she met her niece in her old driveway.

“I hope no one’s home. We usually never show up in the daylight where everyone can see us.” Cara removed her sunglasses and looked at her aunt.

“I drove around. No one seems to be here.”

“You drove?”

“Parked it in the usual spot down the street. It’s a rental. You’re such a worry wart. Anyway, have you heard from your mother lately?” Sarah began walking toward the stairs. She found the key hidden beneath the flower pot with Cara at her heels.

“No. I was hoping you had. She hasn’t answered the phone or responded to any text messages. Now her phone has started going to voicemail.”

Sarah and Cara climbed the stairs and Sarah opened the front door. The house didn’t appear to be in disarray. However, in the living room sat an empty chair. Cara noticed the paper first and walked over to pick it up. She read it and was immediately confused. Two words were all.

I know.

She passed the letter to Sarah. Sarah looked down at the two words. Recognition passed over her eyes. “This is the same handwriting from the letter under the Cavanaugh’s floorboard.”

“Oh my gosh. It is! It’s the same message too. What does it mean? ‘I know’,” Cara asked.

“There is something else familiar about this.” Sarah contemplated a moment longer before recognition again passed over her eyes. “Brielle.”

“Brielle?”

“She handwrote all of the Triple B ‘Welcome to the Neighborhood’ letters. This is her handwriting. I should have noticed it before. Call your mother again.”

Cara pulled out her phone and dialed her mother’s number. It rang. “It’s ringing.” Cara mouthed to her aunt.

After a few more rings, the phone was picked up. The line was open, but all Cara could hear was silence. The silence was cut. “Hello?” Cara immediately hung up and dropped her phone.

“Did someone answer?” Sarah asked.

“Yes.”

“Was it your mother? Another woman. . . Brielle possibly?”

“No.”

“Cara. Who was it?”

“I don’t know Aunt Sarah. It was a man.”

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