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She set the security system before she left.

The device had given her more peace of mind than she could have imagined.

She drove slowly. The rain beat down on the windshield; her wipers struggled to keep it clear.

She wouldn’t be able to stay as late as she’d hoped.

If the rain kept up, it would be best to get home before it got too dark.

Her tires caught every puddle in the gravel drive as she turned down their driveway.

She put her car in park, scooped up the apple pie, and made a beeline for the covered porch.

Rain pelted her face and hair, drenching her in seconds.

Her feet pounded up the familiar, old wooden steps.

The same steps she and Hanna had sat on many a summer night, sharing gossip, and talking about boys.

The screen door shoved open. “Come in, dear. My goodness you’re soaked.” Jean pulled her into a tight hug as Theo took the pie from her hand. Her strawberry blond hair framed her warm, plump face. Her eyes, identical to Hanna’s, showed their age.

Theo wrapped an arm around her, the lines of his face had deepened. There was no sign of his once ebony hair in the head of gray. He pressed a kiss to her temple. “It’s nice to see you, Riley.”

Tears filled Jean’s eyes. “Supper is in the oven, it won’t be ready for a while yet.

But I’m worried about you driving that road once it’s dark.

” Riley followed them to the back of the house, which was where the kitchen and living room were situated.

The old, beaten hardwood floors creaked around them.

The warm scent of pot roast filled her nostrils, making her tummy rumble.

“That’s okay. I’m just happy to visit you guys. If the rain doesn’t let up soon, I’ll head home early.” She sat in the smooth leather sofa, Jean and Theo sat across from her.

Theo rested his arm around Jean’s shoulders and she settled against him. Riley smiled. Even through their daughter’s disappearance, they’d remained strong and united. She’d gathered that much through their short telephone calls and visits, but it settled some of the turmoil inside her.

Riley’s eyes shifted to the picture frame on the table next to them. It was the same picture that adorned signs all over the state. Her graduation picture. Hanna’s blue eyes sparkled; even in print her love for life was contagious.

Riley’s lungs ached as she took a deep breath. “I want you guys to know that I’m still looking for Hanna. I—”

“Honey, please.” Jean reached over to pat her knee, her voice tight. “Don’t take that on as your responsibility. That’s what the police are for.”

The police weren’t making any progress. But she couldn’t say that to them. Instead, she nodded.

“I want to hear more about life in Boston and the fancy art gallery where you work. Maybe when you go back we can order a few pieces.”

Riley bit her tongue. Now wasn’t the time to tell them she’d quit her job at the gallery.

They’d be upset that she had given up everything to look for Hanna.

Right now, they just thought she was here on a temporary leave.

For the rest of the visit, Riley engaged in mundane conversation.

Her heart twisted in her chest. Every time she brought up Hanna, they redirected the subject.

Finally, Theo stood and went to the kitchen. “Dinner is going to be a good hour yet. I’m sorry, Riley. We must have timed it wrong.”

Rain pelted the windows. The clock on the wall read just past seven-thirty. “That’s all right, we can do dinner another night.” They chatted more before Riley hugged them both good-bye with the promise of coming again soon for a visit.

In her car, she cranked the heat. The rain had dropped the temperature as darkness creeped over the sky.

Water came down in sheets, it echoed around her as it beat down on the top of her car.

As she pulled down the driveway, her wipers swished the slew of water enough for her to see through the windshield.

Fear nagged her. She would drive slow and take her time.

If it took her forever to get home, oh well.

The clock on the dash read twenty minutes after eight.

Was it too late to call Ethan? All evening he had crammed the corners of her mind, reminding her that she could call him tonight.

And meet him. Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel as she stopped at the end of the driveway.

What the hell did she have to lose? She punched his number in then pulled out onto the highway.

“Hello?”

“Ethan, its Riley.”

He chuckled. His laugh warmed her body, and pushed away the anxiety of the drive. “I know it’s you. How was your visit?”

“It was good. I’m on my way home now.” She kept her eyes glued to the road. The headlights caught the shimmer from the rain. A set of lights caught her rearview mirror, making her squint against the glare.

“Do you want to get together and chat?” His voice dropped to a low, husky timber. Her heart rate kicked up.

Oh god. Yes, yes, she did. After Ethan’s display of affection the past couple of days, it was clear where his thoughts were going. He may intend to keep his promise, but did he have another agenda?

“I—” The vehicle behind her closed the distance between them. The headlights blasted into her mirrors, she accelerated to give her more space. The car jerked forward, its bumper nearly in contact with hers. “Go around me, asshole.”

“What’s going on?” Ethan’s voice boomed through the speakers in her car. “Nothing, just some jerk riding my ass. He won’t pass me though,” she breathed. The rain hadn’t let up, and she was driving at a safe speed, but not slow enough to warrant this persistence.

“Tap your brakes.”

She snorted. “I can’t, he’ll slam into me.”

“He’s that close?”

“Yeah.” Her voice shook. Her knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. She punched the hazard light button with her index finger.

He didn’t slow or pass. Instead, he got closer.

Acid crept up the back of her throat. “Ethan, I think he’s trying to scare me.”

“Where are you?” She told him exactly.

“Stay on the line with me, don’t disconnect no matter what, okay? I’m going to meet you and follow you home.”

“Okay.” Relief washed over her. Disconnect him? Not on his life. The lights whipped to the side, a scream caught in her throat.

Vrooooom!

The lights reflected off her driver’s side mirror. He was going to pass her. The truck shot forward next to her.

“I think he’s passing me.” Her foot eased off the gas. She adjusted her hands on the wheel and exhaled. Her chest tightened on the release of breath.

“I’m already in the car. I’ll flash my lights when I see you.”

The truck flew up beside her. Its passenger door in line with her driver’s door. He didn’t pass. Her back straightened away from the leather seat.

“Ethan, he’s—”

Crash!

The steering wheel tore from her grip. Her car careened toward the side of the road. A scream ripped through her. Her hands tightened on the wheel and she yanked the car back onto the road.

“What happened?” Ethan’s voice crackled around her.

A whimper sounded from her throat. “H–He slammed into me!”

Ethan swore. The truck jerked to the left, she stomped on the gas just as he threw it to the right. He caught the rear of her car and her vehicle fishtailed before she righted it. Her grip kept the car on the road.

“He’s going to kill me.” The words landed in the empty air of the car. Her hands shook on the steering wheel. The truck weaved back in behind her. Its bumper nudged her forward.

Shit, shit, shit. There was nowhere to go. She couldn’t stop, couldn’t accelerate.

She was going to die.

Ethan’s voice strung through her mind, but she couldn’t catch a single word. His scream yanked her back.

“Dammit, Riley, listen to me. You need to—”

Slam!

Her body catapulted forward, the steering wheel connected with her chest. The grinding sound of metal on metal screeched through the night. The truck pulled back, and then slammed into her car again.

She closed her eyes. Her hands fell away from the wheel and she covered her face to brace against the impact. Her scream died in the darkness around her.