Page 6 of Our Darkest Summer
UNKNOWN NUMBER
was it the shirt that gave it away?
I snorted, sliding the phone back in my pocket. I couldn’t decide if I was creeped out or amazed by Braxton Lee’s hacking skills.
“We are not going to the party,” Thomas said, crossing the kitchen, and Connor and I shared a look.
“What do you mean we’re not going?” Connor asked, and I crossed my arms over my chest.
“I have other things to do,” he answered simply, closing an empty cabinet and leaning against the counter.
“You have other things to do? You said you wanted to come here to party.”
“Which was already suspicious,” I muttered, and Connor gestured in agreement.
“I didn’t mean Lee’s party,” Thomas replied with a flat tone.
“What, you don’t like him?” I asked, sarcasm dripping from my voice. I could count on one hand the number of people Thomas liked. On one finger even.
“Come on, T,” Connor tried, elbowing me to follow his lead, “it’s summer, we are on vacation. This is our first night here.” With every word he said, his brother looked less convinced. “At least let us borrow your car.”
At that, Thomas pushed himself away from the counter.
“You are being funny now,” he replied, grabbing his keys and walking to the front door. “I’m going to the market.”
“You’re such a pain.” Connor grunted, storming up the stairs, then stopping halfway. “I’ll consider walking then,” he added, before disappearing behind a white door.
I surveyed Thomas for a long moment. “What’s so important that you would rather miss the alleged thing you came here to do?” I asked, and he tensed as if he’d forgotten I was even there.
He looked over his shoulder, his dark eyes fixating on me. “Don’t ask stupid questions, Kinsley.”
Goose bumps spread over my skin from the way he uttered my name, while I tried to make sense of his rude words. It was truly like he hated me. But why?
“Stupid questions?” I repeated, watching his fingers hesitate above the doorknob. He was the one giving stupid answers. My question was logical.
His hand slowly settled around the handle, but he still didn’t open the door. “Be ready at nine,” he grumbled. “Both of you.”
Chapter Four
Thomas
I stoppedthe car a corner away from my real destination. People in small towns like this gossiped a lot, so it was a practical decision I had to make. My mind was jumping between old memories trying to surface and the girl I was supposed to stay away from, standing in my kitchen. Kinsley’s piercing eyes when she questioned me about the party. Her, smiling at the scenery in the car when she thought no-one was looking. I stretched my neck, pushing the thoughts into the depths of my mind.I had to focus.I fixed my gaze ahead and doubled my strides on the sidewalk. Emotions could get the better of people; I knew that, I just didn’t like them trying to get through me.
I ignored the familiar streets and shops and took a right turn that led me to the corner of the main street. Miller was already sitting on the old bench where we had arranged to meet, with a box on his lap. When he noticed me, he stood and flashed a smile in my direction.
“Thomas,” he called, and I dipped my head, letting the corner of my mouth curl. Making a fake emotion appear realistic was one of thefewthings you needed to learn if you wanted to be a lawyer.
“Kevin.” I took his outstretched hand and shook it.
“A few officers are still inside.” He jumped right into it, and we both turned to look at the two-story, brick building. “But most of them have already gone home,” he added. “Also, I’m sorry about almost messing up the plan. You know at the car?—”
I nodded. I knew it was a risk to share what I was planning to do here with someone else, but it was a risk I was willing to take. This was why the first thing I did when I decided to come back to Coldwater was contact Kevin Miller. He was a childhood friend whose grandfather happened to be the lead investigator of the case that summoned me back here.
“Are we sure we want to do this?” he asked, his eyes still fixated on the police station’s structure.
It wasn’t a well-thought-out plan we had, but this was my only possible lead to start on since Kevin’s grandfather had passed away. Without answering his question, I turned my steps toward the stairs. Kevin followed, and when we reached the blue front door, I moved and he slid inside. I caught the door before it could fully close, and kept it open just enough to hear Kevin’s signal. I didn’t see him open the box full of doughnuts or if the officers took the bait, leaving their desks and positions. I could only hope everything was happening how we planned it.
“My dad’s not in today?” I heard Kevin’s pretend surprise. “Shame, I really thought he was working.”
