Page 71 of Dark Roads

“I think it was stolen.” His concern made her angry again. He knew Vaughn might be a killer and he never told her. She wanted to shout at him, but she wasn’t sure how to tell him that she knew his secret. She wanted to delay. “Did you hear about the robbery at the campsite?”

“Yeah.” He snorted. “Can’t wait for Vaughn to blame me.”

“Where were you?”

He frowned, shot her an annoyed glance. “At home. I told you I needed some time.”

Yeah. Time to grieve over Hailey’s supposed death.

“Well, while you werethinking, I hiked up the mountain. I was looking for the old miner’s cabin, but I found a bigger surprise.”

“What are you talking about?” He pushed himself away from the wall.

“Hailey.”

“That’s impossible.” He was staring at her like she’d lost her mind. Of course he was going to deny it. He didn’t trust her, didn’t really know her, but her anger was turning to rage.

“She told me about Vaughn. I know you’ve been helping her.”

The fear went out of his eyes and now he looked pissed off. “Hailey disappeared.”

“Stop it. Iknow, okay? I won’t tell anyone.”

“You don’t know what you’re getting into.”

“It was my sister who was murdered, remember?”

“Go back to Vancouver before you get hurt. Face up to your parents.”

Rage, thick and bitter, coated her throat. He was using what she’d said in the hospital. Twisting the knife. “It’s not me you’re worried about—it’sher.”

He held her eyes, and for a moment she thought he was goingto keep pretending that Hailey was dead, then he looked away from her.

“Don’t make me choose.”

“I’m not making you do anything.” But it stung, mostly because she already knew who he would pick, and why wouldn’t he? Hailey was his best friend. He’d proven that he would do anything for her. “Did you help me because you wanted to make sure I couldn’t find her? Is that what it was all about? You kept throwing me off track.”

He met her eyes. Would he admit it now? Would he say Hailey’s name?

“That’s not what happened. I saw you, walking into the motel. I thought… you’re so beautiful. I wanted to stop and talk to you, but I didn’t want you to think I was a creep. I didn’t know you were the new waitress that all the guys were talking about until I saw you in the diner.”

She remembered that flare of recognition she’d seen in his eyes when she’d almost dropped her tray on him. That connection. She wasn’t wrong. There was something between them.

“Can you come to the lake tonight? It’s safer to talk there.”

“I’m working late. My dad’s building a new barn.”

“Whenever. Just come to the campsite. You owe me an explanation.”

He took off his cap and ran his hands over his hair, agitated. “Fine.” He spun around and left the alley, turning away from the diner. Was he going to find Hailey? What other secrets did they share? She listened until Jonny’s loud truck drove away, then hurried into the diner.

Jonny’s friends had ordered when she was outside, and now she had to bring them their food. She wondered what he had toldthem about his sudden departure. She recognized Andy, who’d helped her twice at the campsite now. She set the plates of eggs and bacon in front of him and his friends.

“Thanks for rescuing me the other day.”

“Can’t ignore a damsel in distress.” Andy smiled. The other two guys dug into their meals, but she could feel them watching. “Come by our site next weekend. Have a beer.”

The door opened behind her and a rush of warm air hit her legs. Heavy footsteps, then, before she could turn around, Vaughn’s hand clamped down on Andy’s shoulder.