Page 129 of Everything She Feared

And watching now, as girl after girl threw down the weight, Pierce thought of Katie Harmon thrusting a rock on Anna Shaw to end her life.

58

Seattle, Washington

Sara cleaned herhouse with vigor in an effort to escape her torment.

There was no school today. Katie was out with Tamika and Adina while Sara was home alone, agonizing over everything.

She regretted having told Dr. Mehta about Katie’s drawing, and asking her if violent behavior could be passed down.

The research shows it can happen.

But Dr. Mehta had misunderstood and taken the situation in another direction.

She wants to know more about everything—including the boy.

No, I can’t tell her how Katie almost seemed content after what happened with the boy. How Katie had nightmares, then made a drawing. I burned it because I had to. I had to because she had nothing to do with what happened to the boy. I had to keep it secret then. I have to keep it secret now. It’s the only way to stay safe—especially now. Dr. Mehta has made it clear she’s obligated to report her suspicions of any harm or abuse. And now it seems like she intends to do it.

What have I done? And those detectives had their own suspicions about Katie. But ever since they came to talk to Katie, I haven’t heard a word from them.

Why?

Sara’s worries spun amid the loud cyclonic suction of her vacuum cleaner. She felt like she was losing control when her phone vibrated, pulling her out of it.

She checked the message.

It was an automated, timed reminder that she’d pledged to participate in the upcoming book sale for a North Seattle charity for literacy. There was a deadline for donations. She’d forgotten and needed to deliver a box of old books she had promised the group.

The box was upstairs.

In the attic.

She’d forgotten to bring it downstairs.

She was rooted where she stood.

Just go get it.

Steeling herself, Sara hurried upstairs, opening the door at the end of the hall. She switched on her phone’s flashlight and climbed the creaking stairs.

She glanced at the cardboard box in the shadows near the wooden chest that held the old news stories about Magda and Herman Vryker. Those headlines were still buried deep, but she could feel them, almost hear them screaming at her, beckoning her to the undeniable truth of her life.

No, no. I am not like them. Katie is not like them.

But did Katie inherit their traits? Dr. Mehta said it was possible.

Sara thought of the sketch.

What did Katie do on the cliff?

Sara forced herself to turn from the wooden chest. She raked her light across the attic floor. Turning, she found the box of books. She picked it up and carried it carefully down the narrow staircase, kicking the door closed behind her.

Taking a breath, she placed the box of books on the kitchen table. She used a damp cloth to wipe them, one by one, smiling to herself at the titles. Most were her mom’s and dad’s hardcover editions,The Great Gatsby,Oliver Twist,East of Eden,To Kill a Mockingbirdand some textbooks.

Remembering how her dad would use a ten-dollar bill, a lottery ticket, practically anything, for a bookmark, she flipped through pages, starting with a copy ofMoby Dick. Sure enough, tucked inside was an envelope from Levi, Huttner and Sanchez, the firm that handled their property and estate matters. Inside was a letter about adjusting the will. Pretty dry, formal stuff, signed by their attorney, Constance Huttner.

Sara hesitated when she picked up a large book, a pictorial about holy sites in the Middle East. There was something peeking out between the pages.

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