Page 71 of Trapper Road

I study him, trying to read his expression. I think about what Sam said, about giving the kids more space to make decisions. “Do you want to?”

He chews his lip, then glances back at Vee. “Not really. Not if we don’t have to. I’d rather stay here.”

I nod. “That okay with you, Vee?”

“I’m cool, Ms. P.”

As we drive back to the motel I try to ask about their afternoon, but Connor has shut back down, only answering with one word answers like “fine” and “nothing.” Vee spends the drive staring out the window, lost in her own thoughts.

“It’s going to be a late night,” I tell them as I unlock the door to our rooms. Once we’re inside, I automatically slide the chain into place and check the connecting door. “I have to give a statement at the police station, and I have a feeling it will be a while.”

“How late?” Connor asks.

“If I get out of there before midnight, I’ll consider it a win.”

The two exchange a glance. I don’t like that I’m leaving them on their own again. Right now, given what happened at Stillhouse Lake, I’d feel much better having them both where I can see them. “You know, why don’t you two come with me? We can pick up dinner along the way. They’ll be way less likely to drag things out if I have my kids with me.”

Connor gives me the kind of exasperated look that only a teenager can muster. “You’re asking us to spend the entire night sitting at a police station? Seriously? I know that’s not weird for you, but for most kids, that’s not something they do.”

I understand his point, but still. “I’d feel better if you two were with me.”

He crosses his arms. “And I’d feel better not spending an entire night at a police station. I’ve had enough of police interrogations for the week, thanks.”

I wince. His jibe hits home. “Fine. I’ll leave money and you two can order in so long as you have the delivery person leave the food by the door. Make sure they’re not nearby when you open it to grab the bags.”

Vee whistles. “Dang Ms. P, do you sit around dreamin up ways to ambush people? Cause you’re pretty good at it.”

Maybe she’s right. Maybe I’m a little too paranoid. But it’s kept me alive all these years. It’s kept us all alive. Hell, if I’d been more paranoid months before when tracking down Jonathan Watson, he wouldn’t have been able to get as close to destroying everything I hold dear.

“Number one rule: no leaving the motel,” I tell them. “Okay?” I look them both in the eye to make sure they understand.

Vee flops back on the bed. “Yeah, yeah.” She heaves a dramatic sigh. “I guess we’ll just have to cancel that big party in the woods we was planning to go to.”

Connor swipes at her, all false outrage. “Vee! You weren’t supposed to say anything about that!”

Vee rolls to her stomach, propping her chin in her hands. “But seriously, Ms. P, we’ll be fine. I’ll make sure Connor here doesn’t get into any trouble.” She reaches over to ruffle his hair and he ducks out of reach.

I don’t point out that I’m more worried about her than I am about Connor. “I don’t want either of you getting into any trouble.”

“We’ll be good little boys and girls, promise.”

I blow out a breath. “I’m trusting you two, okay?” I lean in to give each a hug. Neither seems particularly thrilled about it. “Goodnight.”

“Oh hey, Ms. P?” Vee asks when I’m halfway out the door. “Will you text when you leave the station on your way back? Doesn’t matter how late it is.”

I narrow my eyes at the request. She’s never asked me to do so before, which instantly makes me suspicious.

Before I can ask why, she shrugs self-consciously. “Small towns make me nervous. They remind me of home.”

I think about the town she grew up in. Wolfhunter River looked nice on the surface, but was rotten to the core underneath. “I’ll be fine,” I reassure her.

“I know, but like you always say, it’s good to have someone know where you are and where you’re going just in case you don’t make it — then someone knows to call for help.”

I smile. I can’t help myself. At least something I’ve taught her has sunk in. “Of course,” I tell her.

She gives me a relieved grin in return.

“Lock the door behind me,” I add as I leave. Once I’m outside I pause and wait, listening for the sound of the chain sliding into place. Satisfied they’ve locked up, I get back into the car and head to the police station.

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