Page 37 of Our Darkest Summer

After a minute of me staring at him, he looked up with hazy eyes, then glanced back at the screen before looking up again with a small jump, like he hadn’t fully processed I was there the first time.

“Shit.” He took off his headphones. “You scared the shit out of me, man,” he said, pushing his shoulder–length, blondish hair out of his face and pursing his lips. “How can I help?”

I leaned forward, resting my weight on my hands. “Did you happen to restock any type of security camera?” I asked, and the guy knotted his brows, turning back to the monitor.

While I waited for him to check the stock, I ran my eyes over the shelves. This wasn’t one of those big shops you would find in New York; this was a ten-by-ten-foot, small room with mostly old devices.

“We are sadly still out of stock,” he repeated the same sentence he had said to me yesterday on the phone, and I blew out a short breath. “Look, my boss is on vacation, I’m just saying what I know,” he added. “He comes home in a few days though, so if you come back then, maybe he can help you out more.”

Right. Well that was a waste of time.

“Thanks.” I turned and walked out of the shop. I got into the car and pulled out my phone. There were two texts waiting for me on the screen.

CON

where are you?

ME

I’m pretty sure you already checked my location.

I typed back.

CON

I did not

His answer came in an instant.

CON

and even if I had, it only shows the street not what you are actually up to, and just fyi, I know you are up to something

I snorted as I read his text, and then tapped on Kinsley’s name.

Today 9:35 a.m.

ME

Went into town to get some stuff. Connor’s at home. The key’s for your door, and the board in front of your window is for your own protection.

No, you’re not being imprisoned.

If you were, you’d know.

Today 9:57 a.m.

ME

A morning crossword clue for you: Two words. Ten and eight. U and S. Hint: you won’t like it.

Today 10:14 a.m.

SAGE

Unpleasant surprise

Mildly curious. Want to fill me in?