Page 5 of Secrets Along the Shore

“Shouldn’t you be out searching for the woman?” I tried to press a hot button in hopes the detective would get irritated and leave.

“That’s why I’m here. If there’s any way Sophia’s disappearance could be related to?—”

“It’s not.” I stated it emphatically, at the same time acknowledging I didn’t really know that for sure and also recognizing that I probably was a very unlikeable human being in moments like these. I didn’t show empathy. I didn’thaveempathy. I had guilt. A lot of guilt. Which didn’t help at all.

“But —”

“I know about the snake.”

“How do you know about that?” He drew back in surprise.

Livia had told me, right? Yeah. “Everyone knows about it,” was my answer.

Detective Walker seemed to digest that information for a second.

I figured I might as well ask, so I did. “Was it under her window?” I raised my eyebrows, having regurgitated Livia’s words.

He gave a short nod.

I shook my head. “That’s what I’m saying. It’s not him. It’s not the Serpent.”

Please God, don’t let it be the Serpent.

“Why do you say that?”

I fixed my eyes on the green ink of a tattoo on his collarbone that peeked out of his shirt. He was supposed to wear a tie, but he never did. He always left his collar unbuttoned, the hint of a white t-shirt underneath, and that mysteriousvof a tattoo piece always making me wonder what it was if I could see it in its entirety.

“Because”—I didn’t lift my gaze—“he doesn’t leave dead snakes behind. That’s not his—thing.”

“No. But killers can evolve after a decade.”

“I wouldn’t know anything about that.”

“Would you be willing to?—”

“No.”

“You didn’t let me finish.”

“I know what you’re going to ask.” I hugged my arms around my t-shirt clad torso. “I’m not coming down to the station.”

“I wasn’t going to ask that.” His response silenced me. That was a surprise. I figured he’d want to talk about the case, any evidence theyhad, and see if it rang any bells in my sketchy recollection. “I was going to ask if you’d be willing to come help us search.”

“Are youcrazy?” I couldn’t help but snap at him, and I could feel my face contort in complete incredulity.

Then he did what Detective Reuben “Ghost” Walker did best. He lowered his voice and chin, lifted his brown eyes, and puppy-dog-eyed me. It was an unfair move, because no one would expect an alpha male to suddenly turn pitiable. If he had a tail, he would have wagged it too. I was sure of it.

“You’re a manipulator,” I stated.

“Did it work?”

“I—can’t.” I moved to close the door.

He wedged his foot in the entrance. I’d have to break his toes to close it the rest of the way and at the moment, I wasn’t opposed to that option.

“Look, Noa,” he cleared his throat. “This is the third young woman to disappear in the last year.”

I knew that.