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We lose track of time quickly. Even sneaking into a corner at the back of the shop to sit and read some of the shorter books.
“Hopefully, your dad wasn’t too bored.” I wince at the counter.
Stepping to the right, I strain my neck. He’s still standing on the sidewalk. He’s moved a little farther away to read a newspaper on sale.
At least he’s entertained. Now I feel less guilty.
“Thanks for shopping here today.” The clerk smiles, handing me my change and our bag.
I eye the coins in my hand and make an impulsive decision.
“One more stop?” I check with Mary.
My sweet girl smiles, more than happy to followme around. Exiting the shop, I make a beeline for the curb, my target on the other side of the street.
I keep Mary close as we walk quickly, avoiding everyone rushing past us. We really picked the wrong day.
“Can you hold that for a second, please?” I hand Mary the bag, which she readily accepts. I tuck her in front of me so she can’t wander off.
The quarters make the pay phone click as I push them in. I press the number of my best friend quickly; I only have time for one call. I’m hoping for voicemail, so I pick the friend that I know won’t answer.
“Hey, Sam, it’s Lulu. I just wanted to reach out and tell you not to worry. I’m sorry that I left it so long between our calls, and I canceled all the time. Life just sucked. But I just wanted to say that I’m okay. I’m safe, and I’m happy,” I whisper into the phone. “I love you. Tell Shelby I love her too. Bye, Sam.”
My heart aches, knowing that I’ll never see them again, but I have something else now, something better.
Mary smiles up at me. “Mom, can I have some cotton candy?”
I follow her pointed finger and check what money we have left. Just enough.
“Sure, but we have to be quick. Daddy’s waiting.” She hands me the bag and takes off running to order her cotton candy.
“Mom, quick, we’ve got to hurry.” She waves me over.
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that name.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Ajax
I turn from the newspaper stand, a flash of blue catching my eye.
Another cop car. That makes three that have driven by. We’re close to the I-90, too close. We shouldn’t be here shopping. I need to be more careful. We have Lulu with us now, and she’s more likely to be recognized. Cromwell isn’t far enough away for my liking.
Something tickles at the back of my mind, urging me to turn. My breath catches as I do, blood draining from my face. I walk toward the woman in the black pantsuit.
Agent Collins.FBI are here. How the fuck did they know? I didn’t even know we were coming here.
I’m not risking getting stuck in another roadblock. We need to leave now.
After years of tracking the I-90 killer, the FBI have never gotten close to me in their search. That’s not about to happen now.
I watch, unable to look away. The local police look annoyed and tired.
I guess Agent Collins makes friends wherever she goes. The man at her side draws my eye. Special Agent Aaron Mitchell, the man in charge of hunting the I-90 killer. And he does not look happy.
His upper lip pulls back in a snarl, the angry words he spits out lost in the noise of those around us. Agent Collins flushes, her gaze fixed on the finger he’s pointing at her face. The older man straightens, standing to his full height.
His eyes stay on his agent as he waves away the locals without looking at them, his lips pinched tight.
