Page 58 of 4th Silence

Alex gives her a well-practiced crooked smile. “Too bad it’s not true. I’d have gotten to you before JJ.”

Ew. So much for JJ being his dear friend.

My sister lets out a feigned chuckle. If it were real, it would light up her face with her electric, open-mouthed smile that could power this entire house.

Instead, she locks eyes with Alex. “I’m sure you’ve heard that JJ’s out of the picture.”

What the hell is she doing?

Flirting.

She’s flirting to disarm him.

After holding her gaze a beat longer, Alex shifts his attention back to me. “If you like Vermeer, my mother has another in the dining room.”

The dining room. If the floor plan in Mom’s files was accurate, it’s beside the kitchen, next to the door Mary walked out of in the security footage we watched this morning.

“Really?” I ask. “I’d love to see it.”

“Of course.” He points toward the hall. “Help yourself. Down there. Elena, our housekeeper, is in the kitchen—I’ll buzz her to let her know you’re coming.”

Smarmy Alex is trying to ditch me so he can cozy up to Charlie.

Fine. I’ll schmooze the housekeeper. See what I can find.

“Fantastic.” I rise and glance at Charlie. “I’ll be right back.”

She offers a wave, fully understanding the plan. “Take your time. I’m sure Alex and I can entertain ourselves.”

Blech.

I head down the hall, noting another classic I’d love to linger over, but…work to do.

I’ll give Mary this much—she’s got great taste in art.

The dining room is empty. Sure enough, a Vermeer hangs on the far wall, but I don’t have time to admire it. I move straight through the butler’s pantry and into the kitchen.

Also empty. No housekeeper.

Hmmm.

Crazy Train—Mom’s ringtone—blasts from my pocket. I check the screen where a text inquiring about lunch has popped up.

I ignore it, tuck it back in my pocket, and bring my attention to the kitchen.

Oversized windows overlook an expansive lawn. To the right sits the infamous cottage, its white paint gleaming in the sun like a beacon.

My phone rings again. Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Charlie’s ringtone. I slide it from my back pocket and take the call.

“Hey.”

“Hi.” Her voice is so breathy, I nearly gag. “I’ve just been telling Alex I recently discovered the joy of ice hockey.”

Ice hockey?

That’ll be the day

“Oh-kay…”