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My phone buzzed and lit up through my jeans as I locked up the office. I didn’t need to check; it was probably Dad.
Even the lingering glow along the horizon had disappeared, allowing the stars free rein over the sky.
I would take the all-night teleportation circle in Newferry back home and pop up in the living room in less than twenty minutes. He could yell at me then.
I had wrapped up the watch in a plastic pouch and placed it in the company safe. The combination hadn’t changed since I left, which spoke to how often Dad actually used it.
A lock of still-wet hair tumbled off my shoulder and stuck to my collarbone.
My body convulsed and I grabbed the door handle for support as another odd ripple tore through my insides.
I inhaled a shaky breath, my grip tightening on the handle as the sensation subsided.
Gods, what was that? Did I need a doctor? Maybe Sandra would have some answers.
I made a mental note to ask her about it.
As I locked up the shop, an additional concern struck me. How was I going to get Ben’s attention to speak to him about whose watch this might be?
The only time I saw him was when we were unlucky enough to cross paths on the island. Did I dare approach him in the street? I certainly couldn’t in front of his family. That would send all the wrong questions right up the family tree.
I heaved a sigh as I shoved the keys into my shoulder bag. How was I supposed to run an investigation when my only informant was so inaccessible… and my worst enemy?
But evidence like this didn’t pop out of the woodwork every day, and Ben would know for certain if the watch belonged to Tyler, or his killer.
The road to Newferry was bathed in blinding white streetlights, so I veered off into the woods on my usual shortcut.
I took in a deep breath tinged with pine. For all my wishes to explore the world, I had missed this place.
A branch snapped behind me, and I jerked my head to look over my shoulder. My limbs turned to jelly at the sight of Adrian Everhart making his way up the path toward me.
With purpose. Had he followed me here?
I picked up the pace and hurried at a jog up the path. Why hadn’t I taken the damn bus?
“Stop running!” Adrian sprinted toward me.
I plunged my hand into my shoulder bag and grabbed a remnant of my days in London: a temporary incapacitation potion. I whipped around and held it above my head.
“Stop right there or I’ll throw this!” I shouted.
Adrian skidded a little in the dirt as he stopped in his tracks.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Never you mind. What do you want?”
“I want to know what you wanted to talk to my brother about so urgently the other day,” Adrian said.
Really? That was it?
“How do you know about that?” I asked.
If he knew, did any other Everharts also find out and plan to follow me home?
“I saw you and him walking out of the alley within seconds of each other when I went to pick him up from the police station.” Adrian’s gaze hardened.
“Haven’t you asked him?” I said.
