Page 12 of Follow Her Down
James’s smile never falters.“Cannae I do both?”
Rick snorts and disappears into the back again.James continues to stare at me with undisguised interest.
“You’re new in town,” he states rather than asks.When I raise an eyebrow, he adds, “Wee city.News travels.”
“How…delightful.”
James leans in closer, lowering his voice.“I didnae expect ye to smile like that.”
Something inside me locks up, a gear grinding to a halt.“What?”
“Like you’re wearing it rather than feeling it.”His gaze is too penetrating, too knowing.“Your eyes dinnae match your mouth.”
I take a small step back.“What are you talking about?”
“Ye know,” he says easily.“And that’s all right.We all wear masks sometimes.”
I busy myself with straightening items on the counter.“Is there something I can do for you, or are you ready to go away now?”
“Aye, actually.I’d like to know if you’re working again tomorrow,” he says, a little softer.
I don’t answer, watching his face for some clue to his interest.Is he just a local creep hitting on the new girl?Or something else?
“My schedule’s not your business,” I say finally.
His smile widens.“Fair enough, hen.But if ye need any help with that house—repairs, clearing minging brush, exorcising demons—I’m your man.I can give ye my number.”
I have to sort through his thick accent to finally sort of understand him, but the casual mention of demons makes my skin crawl.Does he know something about the house?About the locked basement door?About the things that have happened there?
Before I can respond, he leans in again, so close I can smell him—soap and sawdust and something woodsy.“Would ye like my number, lassie?”
I’d rather shave my legs with a rusty cheese grater.
“Hell no.”I nod toward the door.“Now take the hint and leave.”
“Aye, okay.”James straightens up, winks, then turns and saunters toward the door.
Before he leaves, he calls over his shoulder, “See ye around, PrayWhileIMoan.”
My blood turns to ice.
PrayWhileIMoan.My username.Not here, but…before.On dark web message boards where I sought information about murder.In chat rooms where I learned how to disappear and reinvent myself.
A name only someone watching me online would know.
5
Sera
ThebellchimesasJames exits, leaving me frozen behind the counter, my heart pounding in my throat.
Rick returns a minute later, frowning at my expression.“Did that guy say something to you?He’s weird, but he seems harmless.”
I shake my head.“I’m fine.”
But I’m not fine.Because James knows who I am…or at least, who I was online.Which means he may know why I’m here.What I’m planning.
And James coming into the store right after Vincent… That can’t be a coincidence.He knows our history, likely from the news reports blasted across the country, even though it happened over five years ago.He knows everything.
