Page 108 of Trust No One

“Why are you helping me?” After the attack, he’d talked to the doctors, driven me home, left food, offered to stay—left without an argument when I refused more help.

He cut me a look. “I’m not a total dick, Raine.”

Maybe not. But he had an agenda.

So did I. And in this small, narrow band, our lives intersected.

He backed out of the circle, movements crisp and sure. “I hear Gabe’s car is in police impound.” Ken’s connections were his stock and trade.

Judson hadn’t told me. Not a surprise. “Edith’s car wasn’t in her driveway.” I gave him the car’s make and model.

A phone call. “Bingo. It’s parked at Burnt State Park, located twenty miles west of town. Less than a mile from the small cabin Gabe rented.”

My heart leaped.

He pressed the accelerator. Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the parking lot. Edith’s vehicle was positioned at an odd angle, as if parked and abandoned quickly.

Out of the car, Ken drew a weapon.

“When did you start carrying?”

“In the last year.”

“Why?”

He didn’t answer, already checking the car. Inside, Molly’s school backpack lay on the back seat. No sign of the child or Gabe.

“His cabin should be up that trail,” Ken said.

“Why didn’t you and Gabe get along?”

Ken rolled his neck to the side. “The fight was about you. And Maria. He told me to stay clear of you both.”

“Why?”

His eyes darkened. “Ask him.”

Ken had flirted with me in high school, but we never dated. All beers and laughs then. After we’d married, there’d been a dark undertone whenever he brought up Judson.

“You were into Judson in those days,” he said. Jealousy drifted under the words.

“I saw Amy with you once or twice.” I’d been leaving a weeknight game to get home when I’d spotted her walking off into the woods with Ken.

Ken shrugged. “Why not? She was willing.”

And looked a little like me.

Ken tried the car’s doors—locked. “Why bring her up?” He peered at me from the passenger-side window.

“Been thinking about her the last few days.”

“An odd person,” he said.

“My mother confused her with me many times. But she was a big help with Mom.”

“Let’s focus on right now, okay?”

“Right.”