Page 34 of Sour Layer

Chapter 20

The front door slammed shut and I jumped like water in a skillet. Heavy footsteps were loud and quick across the hardwood floors when Clark appeared in the kitchen. Dorothy was about to heat an apple pie in the oven.

“Mom.” Clark took a deep breath as if that was the first one he’d been afforded since leaving earlier. “I need a favor.”

“Sure, dear,” she answered, pouring a cup of coffee.

“I need you to go with Walker Bennett. He’s going to take you to Milly and Charlotte.”

Dorothy turned at the statement and abandoned her cup. “What’s wrong?”

Clark ran a hand over his head. “There’s a crazy man on the loose, and they need you.”

“You aren’t making sense, dear,” Dorothy said.

“A little help here,” Clark said, glancing at me.

“I touched Dexter yesterday. It wasn’t good. This guy, Lynnfield, is going to kill him and Milly and kidnap your granddaughter. I warned them last night.”

“And Walker is going to keep them safe while I hunt this guy.”

“What about you?” she asked. Concern made her voice raise an octave. “Who’s going to keep you safe?”

“It’s my job to catch him,” he answered.

“I can’t just leave, Clark. We have guests,” Dorothy said, gesturing to me.

“Don’t worry about me, Mrs. Weller. I’m a big girl.”

“Mercy is either going with you, or I’m taking her to the airport,” Clark interjected.

I snapped my gaze to his. Betrayal sat heavy in my gut. “That’s what you think.” I rested my hand on my hip. “I’m the only one who knows what that kitchen looks like.”

“Don’t fight me on this, Mercy. I can’t concentrate if the people I care about are in harm’s way.”

“I’m not leaving. You can kick me out of the inn, but I’ll just find somewhere else to stay.”

“She needs to be here,” Walker said with the phone pressed to his ear. He stood at the entrance to the kitchen.

“No, she doesn’t,” Clark growled.

I pointed to Walker. “One of your brothers said I needed to stay, right?”

“Actually, it’s my sister, Clara, and she wants to talk to you,” Walker said, holding out his phone. “Come on, Mrs. Weller. I’ll help you pack, and we’ll bring the pie. You can pop it in the oven when we get there.”

I put the phone up to my ear and turned, turning my back to Clark.

“Hi, Clara.” Those were the only words I got out.

“Death is coming and going to steal your heart, Mercy.”

I held a hand up to my chest and contemplated my word carefully. “You didn’t say my life.”

“No, I didn’t,” Clara said, as if impressed I could read between the lines.

I lowered my voice. “I barely know him.”

“I think we both know that’s a lie,” Clara teased. “I think you know him well. Actually, I think you’ve been searching for him your whole life. You’re connected now in ways you can’t begin to imagine.”

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