Page 87 of Finding Home with You

“How long do you think this will take?” Finn asks quietly.

I shake my head, but just as I open my mouth, Erin’s phone silences us all.

Unknown number.

“It’s him,” she says, quietly.

“You okay?” I ask, sliding a hand onto her shoulder as I put the recorder on the table so we can tape the call. Hopefully the captain has managed to organize the trace on her phone, although I’m really hoping after today, we won’t need it.

She reaches up and takes my hand in hers, squeezing it gently as she nods. Then she hits the green button.

“Anthony,” she says coldly.

The sound of laughter echoes through the phone, but it’s cruel and without humor. “You’ve got some nerve,” he says.

“I could say the same about you,” Erin replies, her fingers tightening in mine. “Cutting the brake lines, Anthony?” she continues.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says, as a knock sounds in the background.

“Bullshit,” Erin says, the word harsh. “I know exactly what you did and who the message was intended for,” she continues. “But I guess you didn’t realize that it would be me driving the car now, did you?”

The sound of breathing comes through the phone, the only confirmation we have that Anthony is still on the line.

“I’m lucky to be alive,” Erin continues, her words twisting a knot of fear in my stomach as I recall how true they are.

“Shit, Erin, I…”

“I don’t need your sympathies,” she continues, cutting him off. “What I need is for this shit to stop. I’m tired of running and I’m tired of hiding. But most of all I’m sick to death of keeping your fucking secrets,” she says.

“What exactly do you want from me?” Anthony says, his voice once again cold and detached.

“I want you to meet me.”

He laughs now. “What, so you can bring your little detective boyfriend along?” he asks condescendingly.

“No,” she says, glancing up at me. “Just you and me.”

“And why would I agree to this?” he asks, but I can tell from the way his tone changes that he’s contemplating it.

Erin lets out a loud sigh. “I would think given everything I know about you Anthony, after everything you’ve done to me, this would be the least you could fucking do.”

Silence engulfs the room, all of us surprised at the sudden harshness to Erin’s words.

“Fine,” Anthony, eventually says. “Shall I come to your house?”

“No,” Erin immediately says. “Do not come here.”

Anthony chuckles. “Alright then, where would you like to meet?” he asks. “I can be there in an hour, I’m not far, you know.”

Erin glances up, all of us taking in his words. I nod at her, knowing this is it, this is the point of no return.

“Granite Pier,” she ultimately says. “And come alone.”

“One hour,” he responds. “And the same rules apply, Erin.”

The second the line goes dead, Erin collapses back against me, her head resting on my stomach. I lean down, wrapping my arms around her shoulders as I put my mouth to her ear. “You did good, babe,” I whisper. “Really good. I’m proud of you.”

Erin nods once, before saying, “So now what?”