Page 42 of Fate's Crossing

Lexie chewed her lip and studied the ground. “Just because Sara was stabbed to death—”

“And now Isabelle.”

“Come on, Darcy.”

“It’s weird.” She stood and looked around as if scared they might be overheard. “What if . . . What if the same person who killed Sara also killed Isabelle? What if we’re next? I mean, what if I’m next?”

“What are you talking about? They caught the guy who killed Sara. He went to prison. You know that.”

“Do I?” she challenged. “I mean, that’s what we heard, but we don’t know anything for sure. And what if they caught the wrong guy? What if whoever did it is here now? What if he knows who I am? What if—”

“Honey, you’re in shock.” Lexie infused as much patience into her words as she could. “You’re spiraling. Sara was killed a long time ago, a million miles from here.”

“Two hundred and ninety-four.”

Lexie frowned. “Did you seriously look that up?” Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Darcy’s shoulders. “Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not real. And it’s not healthy. You need to stop this. Okay?”

Darcy’s body—racked with shudders—felt fragile under Lexie’s grasp. Brittle.

“Fine.” She retreated a few steps toward the street. “But answer me this, Lex; if this has nothing to do with us, why aren’t you more surprised to see me, huh?”

Lexie said nothing.

Darcy gave her a knowing look before she turned and skulked away.

For well over two hours, Nico had bounced up and down on the passenger seat of the police cruiser as they made their way up the muddy mountain road. Seth drove while Nico took note of their route and tried not to think about the mess they were undoubtedly making of the undercarriage. Frank stretched out and took a nap in the back. They’d already made at least half a dozen different turns, the road becoming less road-like with each one. The twin tire tracks they were currently following were almost completely overgrown with moss and grass.

“You sure you know where you’re going?” Nico asked.

Seth grinned. “Don’t sweat it, Lieutenant. I’ll get us there.”

“Christ, how long has it been since these roads were used?”

“A long time. Once upon a time these roads were the lifeblood of Mercy Cove. There was no other way to reach the bridge to the mainland. Eventually they saw fit to bypass the mountains with the new highway along the south side of the island. Good thing too. From what I hear, you’d be taking your life in your hands if you crossed a logging truck up here.”

“I don’t doubt it.” Nico grimaced as his ass bounced a good inch off the seat. He glanced at Frank’s snoozing face and shook his head. “I don’t know how he does that.”

“I guess if you’re tired enough, you can sleep anywhere.”

“So, what’s your story?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Nico said, grabbing hold of the dash as they took a hairy turn. “Why did the chief send you? It’s obvious you’re not exactly thrilled to be here. What’s the deal?”

Seth shrugged. “I know my way around these parts. Guess he wanted to send someone who wasn’t likely to need a search party sent after them.”

“That all there is to it?”

Silence.

“What’s your association with this Logan?” Nico pushed.

“You ask a lot of questions.”

“About as many as you evade.”

Seth sighed.