Page 80 of Out to Get Her
“We’re in the kitchen.” Zach’s voice rang out through the house.
Erin felt a surge of joy as she followed the lantern light into the kitchen.
Zach and Erin were both here waiting for her. Probably making that monstrous puzzle together.
A week ago, she didn’t think she could be happy aboutanythingin this town or this house ever again. But here she was, joyous over puzzle-making in a hurricane with two people she cared deeply for.
Whatever Zach’s involvement with Dustin was, they’d figure it out. Samantha would help him if she could. They were all friends now, and that’s what friends did, right? They helped each other when they were in trouble.
But the rainbows and kittens in her head all vanished the moment she stepped into the kitchen.
Zach stood behind Samantha who was slumped forward in one of the dining chairs. The puzzle was still in its box on the table in front of them.
He dangled a gun over Samantha’s shoulder and nodded to the chair across the table. “Have a seat. Join us.”
Erin blinked hard, over and over, trying to process the scene.
Zach: with a gun.
Samantha: clearly unconscious.
Where did Zach even get a gun? Or was that Sam’s?
Panic surged through her as she realized she didn’t have the slightest idea if Zach had a gun of his own.
“Sit,” he insisted. “Now.”
“Marty! Marty! Marty! McFlyyyyyy!”
“Fucking bird,” he muttered.
Marty.
Erin had grown used to him. Almost fond of him. Most of the time he was super chill and made adorable chirping noises and sang and did his version of carrying on a conversation. Maybe not curing depression like that study said, but Erin could see why Grandpa had loved him so much. He filled the house with cheer. Except when they had visitors.
No, that wasn’t entirely true. He’d been pleasant when Samantha arrived earlier.
Erin had thought the bird hated cops as much as she did, but that wasn’t the connection. He was pissed off and screechy every time Zach was around.
She sat as commanded, but glared across the table. “Did you hurt that bird?”
“I never touched that thing if I could help it.”
“Well, he hates you. Why is that?”
“He’s a bird? He’s been pissed off and hating everyone since that old man died.”
“No, he—”
Erin stopped short.
He’s been pissed off and hating everyone since that old man died.
No. That wasn’t true. He hated Zach.
Erin’s chest and throat tightened with the truth taking shape within her.
She had to be wrong. Grandpa’s death had been from natural causes. Right?
