Page 102 of Trust No One

Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 1:55 p.m.

I didn’t wait for the school bell to ring.

I parked in the student pickup line behind mothers scrolling on their phones as they waited for their children. The school door was open in anticipation of the students, and I walked past a teacher operating the entrance.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

I had no desire to explain myself, but I paused. “I’m here to pick up Molly Durant. I spoke to the principal this morning.” I had the judge’s orders and my identification at the ready.

“The kids haven’t been released yet. The last bell is in five minutes.”

“I know. I’m ahead of the crowds in case there were questions.” Attorneys understood there were always questions.

“The principal isn’t in her office this time of day.”

“Who do I speak to about picking up Molly?”

She raised a walkie-talkie to her lips. “I’ll radio the vice principal.” The garbled response back to me was inaudible. The teacher frowned. “Repeat.”

Another message. This time I heard “an hour ago.”

“Did I understand that correctly?” I asked. “Was Molly Durant picked up by someone else?”

The teacher paled. Into the walkie she advised the vice principal to come to the bus ramp. My thoughts jumbled with panic.

“The vice principal is coming?” I asked.

“Yes. Just held up with a student.”

“Where is Molly?” She was delaying. She knew she had a problem. Panic shifted to anger.

The vice principal came out the double doors. Mid-thirties, heavyset, khakis, a button-down shirt spilling over his belt. Gripping his walkie, he strode toward me. “You’re here for Molly Durant?”

“That’s correct. Where is she?”

“Her father picked her up.” Worry hummed under the words. “He picks her up a lot.”

The custody agreement crumpled in my fist. “Do you talk to your principal? Did he not tell you circumstances have changed drastically?”

He accepted the paper, and as he read it, his brow knotted. “The principal didn’t tell me. I didn’t think twice when Mr. Durant showed up.”

“Do you realize Maria Durant was murdered? Mr. Durant is a primary suspect.”

He handed back the sheet. “I’d heard Mrs. Durant had died. That’s why it made sense Mr. Durant was here.”

Administrative snafus happened. And Gabe, who’d been in the system, had counted on one when he’d shown up early. “Did he say where he was going with Molly?”

“I assumed he took her home.”

I shoved the agreement into my purse. My mind raced back to the small house Gabe and Maria had shared and then across the field to Edith’s cottage. Either way, Gabe was determined to blow up what remained of his life. His inability to think beyond his choices was stunning.

“Tell the principal to call me.”

“I didn’t realize . . .”

I held up my hand. “Don’t.”

In my car, I dialed Gabe’s number. To my surprise, he answered: “Raine!”