Page 99 of Scatter the Bones

“I will.”

Wrapped in the warmth of my car, my teeth still chatter from the cold. I rub my hand over the dash, grateful for the thin stream of heat. I love this car—but it’s not always practical for upstate winters.

I fish my phone out of my purse, thumb hovering over the screen.Whoops,I’ve had it on silent all night.

A flood of notifications blinks at me.

Dad: They arrested Daniel.

I tap out a quick reply.April and I saw the news report at Busy Beans.

Paul sent me a similar text and I send him the same reply.

It’s late but they’re probably both still awake.

Jigsaw: Things good with Cain.

Relief and happiness twist so tight, I forget to breathe for a second.

More messages follow in quick succession.

Jigsaw: Took him to see apartment. Likes it.

Jigsaw: Taking him shopping for some stuff.

Jigsaw: Can I stop by later?

Jigsaw: You okay?

Jigsaw: Margot? I’m worried about you.

A sad smile tugs at my lips.

Now you know how I feel when you disappear without a word.

I don’t have the energy to be petty by making him wait and worry any longer. Not tonight. Not with him.

Me: I’m okay. Went to movies with April. Forgot my phone was on silent.

He responds right away.

Jigsaw: Worried about you.

It’s only getting later, and I just want to go home. I start the car and pull out of the small parking lot. My headlights sweepover shuttered shops and quiet sidewalks. I take it slow through the narrow streets.

I need to look up Daniel’s story online when I get home.

Did he make bail?

What else do they have on him?

Will this hurt the business?Ouch, that’s selfish.But I can’t help it. Any suggestion that my father was involved or knew what Daniel was up to could ruin our reputation.

By the time I pull into the parking lot behind our home, I’m eager to get inside and jump on my laptop. The garage door rolls up and the overhead light fills the space with a bright, warm glow but it doesn’t do a thing to chase away the dark thoughts that followed me home.

I hit the button to lower the garage door, the motor humming behind me as I cross the lot. My heels tap out a steady rhythm on the pavement, sharp and out of place in the quiet.

A figure shifts near the porch, slipping from shadow into the harsh yellow light as the motion sensor clicks on. Floodlights flare to life, catching the edges of a leather jacket, the outline of a familiar body.

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