Page 63 of Everything She Feared

“Carl!”

Nearly invisible, wedged a foot down between two large rock sheets.

A single coconut-sized round stone, just like the others on the clifftop.

Pierce got down on her knees to inspect it without touching it. Benton arrived and turned on his flashlight.

The stone showed signs of being charred on one side, just like the others.

“So,” Pierce said, “how does this stone go from being up there, to down here?”

27

Seattle, Washington

This is theTIME.

Sara gripped her shopping cart handle, pushing it down the aisles at the Safeway. Helplessness rippled through her in the wake of the detectives interviewing Katie.

Alone in our home. I should’ve said no. I should’ve sat in or called a lawyer. Why did they come?

After the police left, Sara wanted to know what the detectives said to Katie and what she told them, but she didn’t want to put pressure on her by reinterrogating her at home. They needed groceries. Taking Katie on an errand would give them some distance and divert attention, or so Sara hoped.

In the car Katie was distracted, checking out her phone. Sara held off asking her about the detectives, even with sun finding the tiny heart of the necklace—flashing on it like an accusation. Sara, afraid, bought time, letting the drive serve as decompression while waiting for the right moment.

This is it.

Sara reached for a box of pasta, placing it in her cart. She glanced at Katie, who seemed happy to have her phone back. It had partially charged in the car, and she was quietly swiping and tapping away.

“Mom, when can I go back to school?”

“You want to go back?”

“Yes, I miss my friends.”

“I’ll call Mrs. Hadley and tell her you’re ready.”

They continued to another aisle.

Keep it calm and casual, Sara told herself.

“How did it go with talking to the police?”

“Alright, I guess.”

Sara glanced around. No one was within earshot.

“What did they ask you?”

Ignoring her, Katie asked, “Mom, do police always know when people lie?”

The question took Sara by surprise and she adjusted her grip on the handle.

“They’re good at finding out things, sweetie. Why do you ask?”

Katie remained focused on her phone as Sara checked a sale on canned vegetables.

“Why do you ask about that, honey?”

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