Page 13 of Trust No One

Her grin eased something in me. “I guess.”

“I like ghosts. They’re cool.”

“It’s small pay but includes room and board.”

“I don’t have a car.”

“I’ll drive you to Hale House after school and bring you back in the morning. We also have a spare car for emergencies.” I looked at her. “You look a little like me.”

“I do not.”

“You do. Mom could think you’re me, so she’d do whatever you said.”

She looked a little flattered. “How much does it pay?”

“Ten dollars an hour.”

She inhaled, smoke trickling over her lips. “I’ll think about it.”

A hand settled on my shoulder. I startled awake.

My neck screamed from the crooked slant. The pain jolted me back to the moment Pete had strangled me. My fists clenched.

Chapter Seven

Raine

Saturday, October 17, 2026, 6:30 a.m.

A strong shake rattled through my body.

“Raine, it’s Judson. Wake up.”

My eyes opened to his stoic face.

“You were dreaming.”

I hadn’t dreamed about Amy in years. I sat up, my neck cramping painfully. Carefully, I rubbed the knotted, still-healing tendons. “How’s Maria?”

“She’s still in a coma,” he said.

“What time is it?”

“Six thirty in the morning.” Less than three hours of sleep. Not great. The wine haze had mostly lifted, but a headache throbbed behind my right eye.

Stubble darkened Judson’s jaw. He handed me a cup of black coffee. “Dr. Webber is examining Maria. She and another doctor are discussing her condition.”

Bruised ribs pinched as I stood. “I should be in that room.”

“Agreed.”

I sipped and grimaced. “Thanks.”

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re guarding your ribs.”