Page 37 of Nowhere to Hide

“I left the hotel and headed for the wharf. There were some people out front, but I just wanted to look out at the water.”

“Okay.”

He said he wasn’t going to judge, but I felt it all the same. “I’ve lived in Manhattan and Albany, Officer Stone. I’m not a stupid woman. Usually.”

“Salem has a way of making you feel safe. It’s a tourist area and we pride ourselves on how safe we are, but things still happen. Especially at night. It’s off season and things don’t stay open overly late except on weekends.”

“Thanks for trying to make me feel better. I was in my head. I’m dealing with some personal things at the moment, and I wanted some space to think.”

He frowned. “What kind of things? Are you having trouble with a boyfriend? Husband? Girlfriend?”

“No. Well, not anymore. I assure you, Officer Stone, my ex isn’t interested in me.” He was too busy boning my ex best friend. My fingers gripped the blanket as the old hurt snuck up. “I left my job in Albany, New York. I just wanted to get as far away from the situation as I could. I often visited Boston for work and enjoyed day trips into Salem. I never really took thetime to do much more than a hurried walk around.” I huffed out a laugh. “Sorry, you don’t need all these details.”

“No, it helps you get back into your headspace. Go on.”

I tugged at a loose thread in the woven cotton blanket. “I packed all those clothes you have at the back of your closet. The special dresses that you never seem to have the time to wear. I threw a bunch into a suitcase and just headed out. Originally I was going to head north to the Adirondacks, but something pulled me to Boston. Then here, to Salem.” I shrugged. My voice was raw, but I couldn’t seem to stop talking. “Can’t explain it really.” I sighed. “Anyway, it was the middle of the week, so it was easy to find a room. I had dinner in the hotel, then went to the bar. Flirted with a few men on the rooftop, but I wasn’t interested in linking up with anyone.”

“Were any of them pushy? Not taking no for an answer?”

I thought back and shook my head. “Mostly just dudes looking for a hookup if I’m honest. When I gave them the no-go, they seemed to just move on like I was dessert on a cart. They found a better option pretty easily.”

“Unlikely.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

I laughed but it came out more like a cough. “Right about now, I’ll take the compliment.”

“When you left the hotel, did you notice anyone?”

I thought back to that night. “Just people looking for rides or a walk on Derby. I think I heard someone talk about a ghost tour starting, but I was distracted. I just wanted to listen to the water. I didn’t notice anyone following me until I got to the boat slips and dry-docked boats along the back of the wharf.” I shuddered, rubbing the arm without the IV in it. “The light was...” I trailed off, the night coming back like a dream—missing moments and things out of focus.

“I was wearing a white dress with flowers on it. I knew I’d stand out like a glow stick, even with the limited lights. I justwanted to hide.” I swallowed down the tightness in my throat, fumbling for my cup.

I took a long swallow of the cool water and still the images kept coming in and out.

“Dark. It was so dark. Like he sucked out the light.” I licked my lips. “I couldn’t see his face. Not then. Just the fingers thrumming at his leg. Gloved fingers. The light caught his fingers, but the rest was so dark.”

I closed my eyes, my pulse rocketing.

“He just kept coming forward. It was like he could see me, even though I thought I was hidden. I hid near a boat. Maybe he heard me trip over the pail of paint. Or whatever it was. It was a big pail and wouldn’t budge.”

“Hey.” He covered my hand. “You’re doing great.”

I opened my eyes and fisted my fingers under his. “I think he wanted me to run.”

He frowned at me. “Are you sure?”

“No, just a feeling.” I wasn’t sure why. “I remember running. My feet pounding. I could hear the water.” I laughed, but it sounded a little crazy even to myself. “I got to hear the water. I almost jumped in, but it was so dark. I was afraid of what was in it. Guess I should have jumped.”

He was quiet, just giving me space.

I blew out a slow breath. “I ran toward the ferry launch I think. I was looking for people. I couldn’t go back toward the hotel, I was just hoping there was someone walking—anything. But there wasn’t.”

My eyes burned. It was as if there were no tears left. Just the dryness of my throat moving into everything else inside of me.

“Then he...hit me or something. It’s fuzzy. You know, like those dreams you can’t quite remember?”

He nodded. His eyes were kind. Steady. Direct.

I cleared my throat. “I don’t know what happened or how long I was out, but when I woke I couldn’t move.” I frowned. “No. That’s not right. Every time I moved it was like...” I lifted a hand to my throat, remembering the ropes. “They got tighter.” My fingers shook. “He wanted me to struggle.”