Page 21 of Perfect Liar

“She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”

“Chelsea.”

“You must miss her...she’s your daughter?”

He looked down at his boots and forced his feelings back.

“Yeah, I do miss her quite a lot. She just turned three.”

His empty mug was sitting on the side table.

“More coffee?” I asked.

Maybe if I pumped him with caffeine, he might talk more. And I wanted to know more about who they all were, more about Will.

He nodded.

“Yes, thanks. Another cup would be quite good.”

“I was just going to make a pot…I’ll be right back.”

Lissie was still sleeping on my bed when I stepped back inside and pulled the curtains across the doors for privacy and to block out the light for her.

In the kitchen, John sat at the counter with a handgun set out in front of him. His broad shoulders, his eyes, his dark blond hair, it all made him look so much like Will, even though he stood around only five-eleven while Will had to be six-five.

John greeted me with a nod as he chewed his breakfast.

Finding him in my kitchen surprised me for some reason, but it also warmed my heart just a little.

“Do you know when Will is coming back?”

“He’s at our place, taking care of some business stuff. He figured he might get back before you were up. He’ll be here soon.”

John’s handsome smile gave off warm fraternal vibes.

“You’re safe, Ellie. We’re not leaving you and Lissie alone.”

I composed a meager smile for him, but he deserved more than that. So I touched his shoulder in thanks, and then busied myself making the coffee.

Still determined to have a conversation with Ben, I went back out through the kitchen door with the fresh pot and two cups in hand.

“Ben, when did you guys arrive in Stonington?” I asked.

I handed him both cups and filled them.

“Oh damn. I should have asked if you took sugar or cream.”

He handed over my cup and immediately drew a sip from his.

“I take it black. Thanks again for making this.”

Ben took off his sunglasses and stared at me as he took another drink from his cup.

“We’ve been here since round the middle of June.”

“So you guys have been hanging around here for a month and a half? Why so long?”

He shrugged his free shoulder, the other one still holding the rifle.