Page 108 of Trapper Road

I map a route, surprised that even though the spot is only a few miles away as the crow flies, it’s well over an hour by road. I glance at my watch, shocked to find that it’s already early afternoon.

I consider calling Chief Parks and letting him know what I’ve found, but I remember his warning the last time I saw him. As far as he’s concerned, he’s closed his case and made a name for himself in the process. I’d be casting doubt on that resolution. He wouldn’t take kindly to that.

It’s too much of a risk. I’ll go on my own and check it out the area, see if there’s anything of note. I can always call in if I find something. I grab my keys and pop my head through the adjoining door. Their room is still dark and both of them are in bed, their faces lit by the screens of their phones.

“I’ve got something to do. I’ll be gone for a few hours at least. You two going to be okay?”

“Sure,” Connor says. Vee agrees.

I wait for either of them to ask where I’m going or if they can come with me, but neither does. Instead Vee asks, “Is it okay if we walk up to the coffee shop later?”

“Keep your phones on you,” I tell them. “And keep your eyes open.”

Vee rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, beware the boogeyman blah blah blah.”

Connor must sense my frustration at her response and knows how close I am to telling them they can’t go after all because he drops his phone and sits up, meeting my eyes. “We’ll be careful, Mom, promise.”

“Yeah, Ms. P,” Vee adds. “I was just yankin your chain. We’ll behave.”

“I’ll let you know when I’m headed back.” I don’t tell them that my hope is we’ll be able to leave for Stillhouse Lake soon after.

They give a halfhearted approval. I take what I can get. I climb into the car, but before leaving I call Mike. There’s a lot of noise in the background when he answers. It’s clear I’ve interrupted him in the middle of something, but I don’t care. I tell him about the secret app.

“And our team missed it?” he asks.

“I didn’t see anything in the files about it.”

He curses. “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll make it top priority.”

“If there’s anything about Connor, you tell me first. Promise me.”

He hesitates then says, “You’ll be my first call.”

33

CONNOR

I barely wait for Mom to close the door before reaching for my phone. There’s a text from Willa and I try to smother a stupid grin but apparently don’t succeed because Vee snorts.

“You know we’re leaving town like tomorrow, right?” Vee says. “And you’re never going to see her again?”

“Buzzkill.” I glare at her.

“No, I’m just practical. I’ve had plenty of flings in my life, and trust me, you’re doing it wrong.”

“It’s not a fling,” I protest.

She laughs. “Exhibit A.” She says before leaning close and adding, “Like I said, you’re doing it wrong. It’s a basic rule in life: don’t fall for the fling.”

“So I like Willa, what’s wrong with that?”

“She’ll end up breaking your heart, that’s what.”

“That doesn’t have to be true,” I tell her. “We can keep in touch — keep things going long distance. We might see each other again. You never know.”

“I do know. Tomorrow we’ll be driving out of here, and you’ll be all moon eyed, and sure, you’ll text for a while, but then there will come days that she doesn’t respond as fast as she used to. You’ll start to second guess everything. You’ll wonder if she still likes you or if she met someone else. You’ll start to obsess over every communication, trying to figure out if you should read between the lines. You’ll end up miserable.” She holds up her hands. “That’s why you don’t fall for the fling. Enjoy it for what it is, and be prepared to let it go.”

She paints way too vivid a picture. It’s too easy to imagine it happening, which turns my stomach sour. “Yeah, well, what about Mandy?”