Page 88 of Last Seen

She could go to the Esworthys’ cottage herself and knock, see if there’s really no one home. A walk might do her good. A nap, maybe? She hasn’t slept more than a few hours, and those were fitful.She is wired, though. Sleep may be impossible. She is on overload—systemic overload.

Her phone buzzes, and she recognizes the number she just called. “Hello?”

“This is Cathy Esworthy. You just left me a message. Sorry I missed you, I was in the garden.”

“Thanks for getting back to me. I wanted to ask about your renter Donnata Kade. Have you spoken to her recently, or have a way I can contact her?”

There is silence, then a small sigh. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

“Maybe your husband—”

A deep voice responds. “We no longer have any contact with Donnata. It was a difficult decision, she was a friend of mine from school, and we tried to help her get back on her feet. But her accusations, her demeanor, were so disruptive, we couldn’t let it go on.”

“Mr. Esworthy?”

“Yes. You’re on speaker. We really don’t have any idea where she is now.”

Mrs. Esworthy chimes in. “Bruce and I moved here to have a quieter life, and she ... Well, I’m sorry to say this, but Donnata is severely mentally ill. When she lost her job, we did all we could to get her help, but she wasn’t interested in treatment. She was obsessed with her delusions. They were frightening, and to watch her be so consumed ... We haven’t seen her since she moved out.”

“You mentioned accusations? Against whom?”

“That’s really all we know,” Mr. Esworthy says. “And unfortunately, we have to go. We have an appointment in Atlanta.”

“Right. Thank you for your time.”

She sets the phone back into its cradle.Thanks for nothing.Everyone is so tight lipped about Kade. It makes Halley wonder how delusional the woman really was. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, right?

She explores the cottage, familiarizing herself with everything. A few minutes into her scrutiny, the doorbell rings. She looks out the peephole to see a kid with grocery bags. Damn, that was quick.

She opens the door, and the kid smiles. “Sheriff Brockton asked me to drop these off.”

“How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, nothing. Here you go.”

He hands off the bags and is back in his golf cart and buzzing away before she can get her wallet to give him a tip.

She goes back into the house, determined to unpack and figure out her next steps. She pulls out the note, wishing she had a fingerprinting kit, something, anything, so she can do more than just stare at the wordHelpand wonder what the heck it is about. Who in this supposedly idyllic town needs help? And who would ask her, a total stranger, for it?

She tries to assemble all of the data she’s inputted into a coalescent timeline. Cat killed her mother. She came to Brockville. To the retreat. She went missing. Years later, her little sister finds out the truth and follows in her footsteps. She finds that the perfect little town isn’t so very perfect after all.

The story. Cat’s story.

Oh God, she’s forgotten entirely about meeting Tammy Boone.

A quick glance at the clock shows it’s five to nine. Assuming the sheriff hasn’t canceled her appointment, she can make it if she hurries.

The golf cart fires to life with no issue. She consults the map, figures out the path she needs to take, and buzzes off.

And the monster smiles.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Halley has the same sense of dislocation that she had when she arrived in town last night. It is bustling. Cheery. Happy. The day is sunny, clear, azure spring skies with only the faintest hint of chill still left in the mountain air. People in golf carts buzz past, waving and smiling. Many stop to chat with one another or with someone on a porch or in a driveway. Almost all of them wave at her as she passes.

As she makes the turn toward the writers’ retreat cabin, a six-seater golf cart full of people approaches. She can hear them chatting, laughing, pointing. Almost as if they’re on a tour.

Behind the wheel, she sees a man who looks like an older version of Noah and the sheriff. His shoulders are broad, his thick hair more salt than pepper but still hanging in there. His eyes are dark and have that bottomless edge to them, and his handsome face is lined by years in the sun. He looks like an actor playing the part of town leader. He is almost too perfect in the role.