Page 58 of The Forbidden Note

The reminder of his neglect towards her brings me back to earth.

There’s something about Jarod Cross that makes you want to trust him. To earn his approval. To be his friend.

It makes it so easy to forget everything else.

But I don’t want to forget.

He turns to leave and I ask, “What wereyoudoing here?”

He freezes.

“You never told me.”

For a moment, his face hardens. It’s so quick that, by the time I blink, the expression is gone.

“Same as you. I came to pay my respects.”

“From a distance?”

“I only have a couple minutes to spare. It would be rude of me to show my face for a short time only to disappear.” He smiles and there’s something a little sinister about it. As if we’re playing a game where he’s the only one who knows the rules. “Are you suspecting me of something, Grace?”

“Just asking.”

He checks his watch. “Tell your mother I’ll be home late.”

Tell her yourself.

The words are on the tip of my tongue, but they don’t spring free. “Sure.”

He hesitates. “Grace, I hope you won’t feel this awkward with me for long. You can call me any time. I might not be your father by blood, but I consider you a daughter just the same.”

I dip my head.

Jarod Cross leaves and my gaze wanders to the crew piling dirt on top of the casket.

An idea lights up my brain.

Whirling around, I dash after the rockstar.

“Jarod, wait!”

I find him just about to get into his town car.

Two mean-looking guys glower at me. One moves forward as if to keep me back.

With a slight wave from Jarod, the guy backs off.

“Actually, I do have a favor,” I say.

He waits.

“I need information about a Redwood Prep student who was brutally murdered six years ago. Do you know someone who can help me?”

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

ZANE

For some odd reason, I keep looking at the tree line surrounding the cemetery. It feels like someone’s watching but, whenever I look in that direction, all I can see are thick pines and stillness.

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