Page 57 of Hacking His Code

Ernestine’s face grows serious. “About what I said earlier…I just meant that if Hunter seems distant, it’s not you. I’ve made mistakes, and now it seems he has to pay for them.”

“I think you’re being a little too hard on yourself. You were protecting your son. Who knows why Lucy went missing. It could have been that someone was targeting you, and they very well may have gone after Hunter next if you hadn’t taken such good care of him.”

She exhales slowly, her lips pursing in a way that unsettles me. “I appreciate you saying that.”

“I didn’t mean to imply that it was your fault your sister was taken!”

“That’s not how I took your words, though, over the years, that has haunted me.”

There are so many things I want to ask, but every question I have could lead to unfortunate consequences, such as hurting Ernestine or even making her mad. I loathe gossip and would hate to appear nosy, but there are some risks worth taking in life, and digging a little just might be the thing that breaks the case.

“It must have been hard having a best friend to tell all your secrets to one day, only to have them disappear with no explanation.”

The look she gives me is not one that I expect. It’s serious, not at all sad.

“I’m going to be honest with you, though heaven knows I should lie,” she says, sipping her mimosa. “It’s good that she’s gone.”

The truth doesn’t surprise me, considering what Lucy was up to. Still, I raise my eyebrows in feign shock.

“And…you’re not a good actress.”

“Pardon?”

“I was so hopeful that Hunter had found someone that would bring him joy. I guess that may never happen.”

I feel myself go numb, unable to even speak.

“Enough of the games, Arinessa. I’ve known a good number of actors in my day, all better than you. You had me fooled for a bit, but I can see through you now.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I sputter out.

“You want to know about Lucy. So many do, and I don’t blame you. The thing is, though…it’s not just your curiosity. Hunter recruited you, didn’t he?”

I feel dizzy, like I’m going to faint. Ernestine is looking at me with narrowed eyes and a tight jaw.

“Just tell me what it is he wants.”

“He wants you to be happy,” I reply without thinking.

“By digging up old ghosts?”

“He thinks that by finding out what happened to your sister, that you’ll heal in some way.”

“The thing is, I’ve already healed.”

“Really? I mean, you left your career behind, something you loved.”

She looks away, refusing to meet my gaze. “Maybe I did love it once. I don’t love it now. I don’t miss my sister. I didn’t even know her. Not since long before she disappeared.”

“Is that why she stopped going to work? Because you didn’t get along?”

She sneers, shaking her head in disgust. “Let’s just say our relationship was beyond repair at that point.”

“That’s not what you told the cops.”

“But it’s what I’m telling you. Back then, we didn’t want questions. I did feel guilt, but I didn’t miss her. And whatever liability I once felt is long gone.”

“Oh…”