Page 36 of The Fragile Ones

Katie stepped back in astonishment. “How can that be?” she whispered.

She looked more closely at the wall, but there was nothing else except the number. Questions flooded her. What were the odds? What did it mean? Why would those same numbers be stamped on Tessa Mayfield’s scalp?

A crash interrupted her thoughts.

Katie turned and saw the square trapdoor move. Then another crash, as the door heaved open to reveal the entrance.

McGaven leaned in. “C’mon, let’s get you out of here.” He offered his hand.

“Wait,” said Katie.

“For what?”

“I found something carved on the wall. Do you have your cell on you? Mine’s in my jacket in the car.” She cursed herself for not keeping her phone with her.

“Yeah,” he said and gave it to her.

Katie quickly took a photo of the numbers.

“What is it?” he asked.

“The numbers 372 are carved on the wall.”

“372?”

“Now there’s your creepy,” she said, and felt a shiver up her spine.

“What the hell does it mean?”

“Well, we know the Mayfields did live here before moving to Sandstone. But Mrs. Mayfield shrugged it off when we mentioned another house. Is she keeping it secret?”

“We need to find Mr. Mayfield—White or Wit or whatever he goes by.”

“Hey, give me a hand,” she said as she passed the cell phone back to McGaven.

McGaven grabbed Katie around the wrist and, with an easy hoist, pulled her to safety outside the house. It was now dark, and the surrounding trees were alive with insect noises.

“Thanks,” she said.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he said, looking at her clothes and picking some flooring out of her hair.

“Yes, but I ruined another pair of pants.” She laughed half-heartedly.

“Stay right where you are! Show me your hands!” yelled two men suddenly.

Bright lights blinded Katie and McGaven. Neither moved right away, not wanting to antagonize the two men or give up their authority.

“Show me your hands now!” yelled the shorter, stockier man.

McGaven slowly raised his hands slightly. “We’re police officers.”

“I don’t care who you think you are,” said the taller man.

Katie squinted at the light, keeping her hands in full view, and then realized that the two men were the Rock Creek police officers with their guns trained on her and McGaven. “I’m Detective Scott and this is Deputy McGaven from Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department. We just spoke with your chief about an hour ago.”

McGaven cautiously opened his jacket to reveal his badge and gun.

“Oh crap, Brad,” one officer said to the other. “It’s those cops from PVSD.”