Page 80

Standing at her shop window contemplating the storm, Lacey bit her bottom lip.

Her call with Carrie had left her unsettled. Carrie didn’t want her to come over.

But sometimes people facing a crisis are too embarrassed to accept help when they need it.

Lacey decided to call Clay.

He was at a swap meet in Louisiana. She didn’t like bothering him, but this was important. Maybe, if he wasn’t busy, he could offer advice. It rang several times before he answered.

“Hi, Lace.”

“Hi. Got a minute?”

“Sure, I found some good parts for the Nomad, original brake kit with the right rotors.”

“Good, you’ve been looking for that awhile.”

“This stuff is in great condition. What’s up?”

“There’s a new story on the murders in today’s Chronicle , and it looks bad for Carrie.”

“Yeah, I saw it online this morning. It puts everything on her. It must be crushing for her and Vern.”

“It is. I just spoke with her.”

“How’d she sound?”

“Terrible.”

“What’d she say?”

“Not much, she was upset.”

“What do you think about the story?”

“I don’t know what to believe. I don’t know what the truth is. I don’t think she did it, and in my heart, I feel I should go to her house to support her.”

“Support her?”

“She’s my friend.”

Clay didn’t respond.

“Should I go to her?” Lacey asked. “What do you think?”

“It might be best to stand back.”

“Stand back?”

“Until things settle. She’s facing a world of trouble, with this story, Vern and Luke. Give her space.”

“But that’s when friends should help. And she doesn’t have many friends in this town right now.”

“Well, you asked me, and I think just hold off, see how this thing plays out with—”

Interference snapped and hissed.

“Sorry, Clay, what did you say?”

“I said, just hold off, see how it all plays out with the DA and everything.”

“I’ll think about it. I’ll let you go. Good luck at the meet. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Lacey lowered her phone and searched the rain for answers on what she should do.

Stand back. Stand back.

With her conscience attacking her, Lacey didn’t know if she could take Clay’s advice. Her thoughts of Carrie shot back to high school. Lacey’s heart breaking when Carrie’s mother died. Going to the funeral to support her. Remembering how Carrie was ostracized in school as the daughter of the sheriff—they called her the Narc, Five-O, Undercover. Lacey was there the day Carrie defended Lanna when Abby and Erin’s crew bullied her in the cafeteria. Then the murders. Carrie had nearly died. She thought about Vern getting sick, his terminal diagnosis. Carrie’s husband, Luke, killing a woman in Los Angeles, his strange behavior here with Clay watching him.

And now today’s story accusing her of murder.

It’s like Carrie’s been cursed all her life.

As the storm thundered, Lacey wondered, Is Clay right? Should I stand back?

Can I stand back?