Page 105 of Aftermath
My brother and sister-in-law looked at each other, shock on their faces. My mother and father immediately went on about what great news this was for the town, how much news coverage this would attract to Briarport.
“Mallory!” my mother exclaimed, catching my friend as she walked by.
It’d been a few days since I’d seen her, and I gave her a friendly wave to join us.
“Are you heading to the sheriff’s office too?” I asked.
“Of course,” she scoffed. “This is the most interesting thing to happen to this town in years.”
“I’m not sure what everyone thinks they’ll see,” Stone muttered. “He’s already inside for processing.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Mallory said. “Tourists will flock to whatever they think the newest entertainment is.”
“You’re not a tourist,” Stone pointed out, and I watched her nostrils flare at the comment.
“I imagine you’ll be leaving soon, then,” Mallory said. “And Len can finally return to her apartment.” I didn’t miss the smug grin spreading across her face.
“We should go with you,” my mother said, stepping up next to Mallory.
“You’re welcome to join,” she answered, smiling brightly at my parents.
I didn’t have the stomach to tag along. Stone was right—it was unlikely they’d even catch a glimpse at Ethan. My mother more likely just wanted to be near the news cameras.
I, however, preferred to stay far away from that spotlight. I’d had enough of the Coastal Killer for a lifetime. With him in prison, the victims would know justice, and my job was finally complete. I could go back to living a peaceful, quiet life.
My parents started to wander away as Mallory led them off, giving me a quick wave goodbye. I nodded to her but stayed put with my brother and Stone.
“We’re going to head home. You two heading back to your place?” Calvin asked Stone.
He nodded and grabbed my hand.“I think we’ve had enough excitement for the day,” he admitted.
For a lifetime.
There was only one thought playing through my mind as Stone took my hand and led me back toward his rental.
The hard truth was one I needed to face: Stone was leaving Briarport.
24
LENNY
I only hadtwo days left with Stone before he left.
My parents were still in town at Calvin’s place, and we decided to spend a day all together at the beach.
They met us at my favorite spot, a strip of the beach that fewer tourists knew about. Plus, it was only a short walk from my favorite smoothie shop.
We grabbed drinks on the way. I picked the strawberry delight and Stone went for one labeled banana blast. We picked up everyone else’s orders as well, and I carried the tray while Stone carried a bag with towels.
It was odd seeing him do such a normal task, strange to picture him as anything but the FBI agent he was. I wondered when he last took a break.
He watched me as I set the towels on the ground, and when he dug through the bag of items he carried, I giggled when he pulled out a bottle of sunscreen. If anyone was going to remember it, it was definitely going to be Stone.
He pulled off his shirt, and I couldn’t help but stare at his tattoos, at how toned he was. The muscles of his abdomen were perfectly carved. He wasn’t a large or overly muscular man, but he was certainly in shape.
And not bad to look at.
Knock it off.I scolded internally, knowing I was only torturing myself further.
