Page 28 of Scatter the Bones

“So…are you up here vacationing by yourself?” She bites her lip and flicks her gaze toward the parking lot. “Are you staying nearby? A lot of stuff is closed this time of year, but I can suggest some good restaurants or um, show you around. I just need to run Chewy home and…”

I tune out her chatter, considering the intention behind them. A year ago, I would’ve smoothly accepted her offer to “show me around” and probably been fucking her by now. She could be a nice temporary distraction from all the darkness bubbling in my head.

Who’s gonna know?No one’s even aware I’m here.

But all I can think about is Margot. Maybe she’ll tell me to fuck off once I confess how I treated Cain.

“Can I take a picture of you and Chewy?” Jenna says, pulling me back into the conversation. She holds out her phone. “I want to send it to the rescue and tell them?—”

“I’d rather you didn’t.” I’ve entertained this chick long enough. I grab my boots and stand. Cain tracking me down from a photo in a magazine weighs on my mind. I don’t need Jenna taking my picture and sending it to strangers.

“Nice meeting you, Jenna.” I bend down and pat Chewy’s head again. “You too.” I point down the beach. “I’m going to continue my walk.”Alone.

“Oh.” Jenna turns bright pink. “Sorry. Sorry we bothered you.”

“No problem. Good luck with him.” I kick my way through the soft sand until my feet hit the wet packed-down stuff closer to the water.

It’s time to head home.

CHAPTER SIX

Margot

The next morning,a flurry of texts wake me up.

None of them are from Jigsaw.

Downstairs, I’m mid-yawn, waiting for a callback, when my father finds me in his office.

“Margot, one of the bikers is coming by today.”

My ears perk up.Bikers? Any biker in particular?“Oh?” I answer in a casual, disinterested tone.

“Something about security. He wants to look around before the Hall funeral.” Dad’s jaw tightens. “I’m starting to wish we’d never agreed to this. It’s turning into a circus.”

The urge to defend our client rears up but I also understand what my father means. The animosity between Abby and Ulfric hasn’t improved since our consultation. Abby’s called or texted me dozens of times. And since Ulfric’s footing the bill, I have to call and check in with him each time. Thankfully, he hasn’t said no to anything, yet.

“It’s a lot,” I agree.

“I have a call later with Ulfric about some financial matters,” my father says, his lips flattening into a grim line.

Better you than me.That’s one thing I’m glad my father doesn’t ask me to handle.

“Oh, and we have the custom casket issue sorted. I sent Ulfric a photo and he approved it.”

“That’s good.”

“Paul’s in the prep room handling a few things. I have to go into Slater for a meeting with those detectives about Daniel.”

“Wait, what?” My voice is sharper than I intended. “Should you go there without a lawyer?”

He rears back and blinks at me as if I tried to tell him the sky is green with purple polka dots. “Why would I need a lawyer? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Great, I’ve offended my dad. “Iknow that. Andyouknow that. But I don’t trust them. You shouldn’t speak to the police without a lawyer. Ever.”

“Margot, really? I know almost everyone down there. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of information to give them. I would never suspect Daniel of such a thing. I can’t imagine…” His voice trails off and he stares at me.

I swallow hard and glance away. “He’s not a very nice person, but I never would’ve suspected he murders elderly women for their money, either.”

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