Page 64 of Fortune's Control
“Mayberry? No.”
“What about a woman with a daughter who left home thirty years ago?”
“You’re asking about your grandmother, aren’t you?” she asked softly.
Shane beat me to it. “It was worth a shot.”
“No, no.” She rattled her hand. “Tell me. It might trigger a memory.”
“I only know her daughter left home, and they didn’t get along. She kicked my mother out.”
“Kicked her out? I thought your mother ran away.”
Hope grew. “That’s what I thought, but now I’m not sure. Shane isn’t convinced of anything.” We heard two different stories from a woman he didn’t trust.
Sophie tapped her knee and leaned back in the rocking chair rather than answer.
“Does that change anything?” A small hope grew in me.
“No, I’m sorry, Lilah. If I had a name, I would tell you.” She placed a comforting hand on my arm. “Let’s go meet withSam.”
I stepped off the wooden porch onto the pavement and felt a familiar itch, despite the lack of strangers sharing the sidewalk. No one hid in the empty cars. Rubber ducks covered a gray sedan’s dashboard, while a small SUV’s bumper sticker told us where to honk it.
“Lilah?”
Wilson Skane’s black hoodie and overgrown goatee haunted my nightmares, but not Fortune’s Creek.
My imagination enjoyed frightening me. “Sorry.” I attempted a smile.
“Are you okay?”
“I thought I recognized someone. A silly mistake.”
Sophie frowned with concern. “You’re pale. We can reschedule our meeting with Sam. One day won’t make a difference.”
It would to me. “No, I’m fine. Let’s get moving.” I glanced behind me one more time. No strangers with a knife ran after us. I wanted to visit Shane afterwards, but that was misplaced fear. We had dinner and a quiet evening planned. I’d see him soon enough. “It’s such a pretty day.”
“People associate Florida with swamps and humidity, which is true, but springtime is perfect.” Sophie held out her arms and twirled. “We’re a hidden jewel. Oh, that would make an incredible marketing slogan.”
“If it doesn’t go on a government form, I have no opinion.”
I always pictured a town’s city hall belonging in the dead center of downtown, with everything else growing up around it. This one preferred to serve as an introduction, greeting newcomers as they drove into town.
A car engine’s low purr sounded behind us. I checked and noticed the little duckies. “Let’s move over.”
We quickened our pace as the car drew closer.
It sped up, aiming towards City Hall to block our path.
Sophie shoved me as I reached for her hand. We both spun, taking a clumsy step backward before attempting a retreat.
Its tires squealed, and the engine’s heat swarmed around us.
We reached a car half-stuck in the ditch and ran to the other side, hoping for its protection.
The gray sedan slowed, allowing me a chance to look inside. A bright yellow duck bobbed its head and fell over. The driver wore a dark sweatshirt with the hood pulled up. He stared at me, and I stared back.
What did he say that night? I was next.
