Page 17 of Unmasked

Everleigh couldn’t help but laugh. “I think every sibling goes through that phase.”

“Maybe. I think I’d still trade him some days. Can’t get away from him.” He rolled his eyes. “When I got a job here, he had the audacity to apply too.”

Personally, Everleigh thought it was kind of sweet. Though she knew he didn’t want to admit it, Mason obviously admired his brother. “I didn’t realize he worked here, too. I don’t think I’ve met him yet.”

Mason grinned. “Maybe if you’re lucky it’ll stay that way.”

Everleigh shrugged one shoulder and smiled. “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“Oh, he’ll find you,” Mason warned. “If some idiot here hits on you, I can assure you it’ll be Miles. He means well, but just ignore him.”

“I’m all good on dating. I’ve already got enough on my plate with this craziness,” Everleigh pointed to the manila folder that lay on the table between them.

Mason’s expression turned serious as he flipped it open. “True enough. Did you happen to bring the picture you received at the coffee shop?”

“I did.” Everleigh extracted it from her purse and passed it over.

He studied it for a second before setting it on top of the pile of pictures that had trickled in over the past few weeks. “And you said this came while you were sitting there?”

“Yep.” Everleigh wrapped her arms around her middle as a cold chill moved down her spine. “I still can’t figure out exactly how it happened, or who could have left it. But I was sitting there with Sierra—my realtor—talking about prospective homes. When we were done, she left to take a call with another client and I saw it sticking out of my purse.”

Mason gave a slow shake of his head, his lips pressing into a firm line. “He’s getting bolder. Showing you that he’s in control, how he’s able to blend right in without you knowing. He wants to scare you.”

If that was true, it was working.

“Have you reported it to the police?”

Everleigh shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about it.”

He waved off her concern. “No problem. I’ll get that taken care of this afternoon. It’s just good to keep them up to date on what’s happening.”

“Sure.” Everleigh studied him. “What next?”

“I’m looking into a few of the people who were in or around the coffee shop when you received this.” He tapped the photo. “We’re getting closer. It’s just a matter of time before we narrow it down.”

Everleigh nodded. “That makes sense. Is there anything I should be doing differently?”

Mason shook his head. “Do everything exactly as you normally would. Any deviation from your regular schedule would be like waving a giant red flag in front of his face.”

“That’s probably true.” Everleigh sat back with a sigh. “I just can't figure it out. Why would they send me the photos at all? It seems so… juvenile.”

“That's how it starts sometimes,” he responded. “We just need to make sure that it doesn't escalate into something worse.”

Everleigh rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers. “It's just so frustrating. How did I not even notice?”

“Don’t blame yourself. He’s very skilled at being stealthy if he was able to slip that into your purse without you knowing. Not only that, but Blackwater Key is a small town. He blends in well enough that he flew under everyone’s radar, and no one saw anything out of the ordinary. Otherwise, someone would have said something.”

That, Everleigh knew, was a fact. People in small towns loved to talk. Blackwater Key wasn’t tiny, being located less than an hour outside of Miami, but it was small enough. Mason was right. If someone had noticed something strange, they would have approached.

“You said he,” Everleigh mused as his words fully sank in. “You think it’s a guy now?”

“I’m assuming it is, yes.”

“Why?”

“Because of the circumstances.” Mason leaned his elbows on the table and studied her. “Like I said before—whoever it is wants you to know they’re there. Men typically like to wield that power. Women tend to be stealthier.”

Everleigh gave a slow nod. She thought she’d paid attention to her surroundings before; she’d have to be extra vigilant now and keep an eye out for men who ventured too close.