Page 36 of Break My Fall

“Probably so they could find an opportunity to puncture your fuel line.”

That made sense. Except it didn’t. “That would explain how they knew where I was. But that still doesn’t explain the why of it.”

“No. It doesn’t. We don’t know why, and until we do, it makes keeping you safe significantly more difficult. We don’t know where the threat is, so we have to guard against anything and everything.”

“And you think they might have put a tracker on my car.”

“I would. The dental clinic van gives them the best chance of catching you out of Gossamer Falls and alone. But your dad mentioned that you make regular trips out to see the Colliers and the Newmans.”

“They’re old and lonely. I pick up groceries and stop in for achat. And they’re in Gossamer County. Going to see them wouldn’t put me at risk.”

The Newmans lived up a steep drive that was frequently impassable in the winter, sometimes for days at a time. Once, when she was in her early teens, it had been two weeks before anyone could get a vehicle up there. They’d been okay because seven days into the freeze, she, Bronwyn, Mo, and Cal had hiked up the drive with backpacks filled with groceries. When they got there, they’d spent two hours splitting firewood and being entertained by Mr. Newman’s tales. Then they’d mostly slid down the driveway on their backsides.

“True, but the drive out there is windy. No one else lives that way. If someone stopped you...” Gray balled his hands into fists and then released them. “I’m not saying you can’t continue to roam the county the way you usually do. But if you’re being tracked, we need to know. And if someone has put a tracker on your car, then I’m going to have to make some big decisions about how to handle it.”

Meredith wanted to push for more information, but it was Friday and she had a full patient load today. She rarely worked more than two Fridays each month, and they were always packed. She opened the bottom drawer of her desk and took her keys from her purse, then tossed them to Gray, who caught them one-handed.

“I have a full schedule. Please let me know what you find.” She stood and Gray followed her lead.

“Thank you. I’ll return these to you later today.”

“No problem. You can leave them with Lucy.”

Was that a flash of hurt in his eyes? Maybe. But did it matter? No. She needed distance if her heart was going to heal, so she had to avoid him as much as possible.

“Sure thing. I’ll text you if I need anything further.”

“Sounds good.” She sailed out of her office with a little wave and didn’t look at her phone until lunchtime.

There were five texts.

From Gray:

Found it.

From Dad:

Baby girl, we need to talk.

From Mo:

You’re grounded.

From Cal:

Please don’t leave the office until someone can follow you home.

From Mom:

Sweetheart, I made banana bread today. I’m going to send some home with Gray. Make sure you get it from him and don’t leave it in your car.

She nearly cried from relief at the normalcy of her mom’s text. She replied in reverse order to the way she’d received the messages.

To Mom:

Yum. Thank you. You’re the bestest mom ever.

To Cal:

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