Page 78 of Pursued-

I wait again. When the stillness lasts long enough, I finally look around.

C’s on my right, silent. Behind us, Trick’s talking, quietly giving instructions.

I turn my head.

Hannah Ross’s gun lies on the ground between Rachel and her mother. Trick’s gun is in his hand, but it’s pointed at the ground as he speaks.

The shot to Frank’s neck was an unbelievably lucky one since the car was moving. I wouldn’t have thought either of the women could’ve made it, but it had to have been one of them because Trick came around the corner late. I don’t think he was in range. My gaze goes to the gun on the ground. Which of them had it when Frank was shot?

RACHEL

I answer questions—anddon’t answer them—for hours. At first, I concentrate very hard on Trick’s quickly spoken advice, but over time, I find my own rhythm in the police interrogation. I repeat the safe answers and say I don’t know to everything else about the shooting. I also say I’m not sure to many other questions, repeating over and over that I’m in shock and can’t think. It’s half true.

When they finally release me from the interrogation room, I touch the wall for support. I haven’t eaten in hours and almost feel like I’m floating. I follow a detective to the front, and there’s a lot of noise.

From somewhere, Sasha appears right in front of me and picks me up.

I don’t say anything. I’m cradled tight against his body, and he turns and then pushes forward until we’re outside. Daylight has faded. I don’t know what time it is.

Both Rovers are parked. Trick hops out of one. He comes around and opens the passenger door and Sasha gets in, still holding onto me. The door closes.

“Is Frank dead?” I ask.

“Yes,” Sasha says.

I’m numb, but somewhere at the edge of my feelings I’m relieved.

“My mom will be able to stay,” I say. “She won’t have to leave again.”

“No, she’s good. C and Zoe have her in the other car. She’s safe.”

“She came back for me,” I mumble. “When she thought I was in trouble.”

“Yeah. And she’s been trying to reach out for a long time. She says she sent you messages through the Instagram account.”

“I didn’t get those. He controlled that account. I didn’t have the password.”

“She says she sent a train ticket to Illinois where she lives.”

I close my eyes and smile. It wasn’t a trick. The note and ticket were from my mom. If I’d known… but then I might not have become truly free. And I wouldn’t have been with Sasha.

The timing worked out, I tell myself. Everything happened exactly when it was supposed to happen.

Epilogue

RACHEL

“Sasha, what are you doing?” I ask. “We’re going to be late. We’re supposed to meet with this builder across town at his office in half an hour. I want to make sure we have plenty of time to drive to Boston after, so we can be at the airport when my mom and Ken’s plane lands.”

“There’s plenty of time.”

He’s right, but I’m excited. “Still,” I say. “Let’s get moving.”

He shakes his head. “Come here,” he says, standing in front of the flat screen on the wall in his studio apartment.

“I want you to sign off on the plans for the house, so they can start work,” I say. I’m ready to move out of the little apartment.

“I did. They started ordering materials,” he says.