Page 187 of Fly's Path

It rings again. Unknown number flashes on my screen.

The Whiz Kid can deal with it if it’s a scammer.

“What?”

“Fly. Good. I caught you. This is Rhys.”

The tattoo artist Rhys…the woman who owns the shop not too far from me.

“You probably don’t know who I am because you don’t get tattoos.”

“I know you.”

“Ok. Good. Okay. So this is going to sound weird. But I need to know something. Are you in love with Sheridan?”

Rhys knows Sheri? “Yes? Why?”

“Then you might want to come to Beach Haven. That’s all I’m going to say. I’ve meddled enough.”

“Rhys.”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks. And step outside of your shop.”

“What?” The door opens, and some bright dreadlocks appear. “Fly? What are you doing here?”

“Have you seen Sheri?”

“About twenty minutes ago, she left my shop. Her car is right there.”

He’s got her. The stalker has got her…My brain keeps screaming those words, even though that’s not the probable answer. She just got back to town hours ago.

“She might have gone to the market to grab some food now that she’s back in town.”

That’s a good idea. “I’ll go check.”

“There’s no need, young man. I already checked with the Ladies’ League. Sheridan hasn’t been seen anywhere since she walked out of Rhys’ shop. Everyone wants to know what tattoo she got.” The little old lady stares up at me expectantly.

“I don’t know what tattoo she got.” But I’m determined to find out. She wouldn’t have covered up our butterfly, would she have?

My phone pings with a message received.

An address.

The stalker! Without a word, I turn on my heel and rush to my car. He’s a dead man.

Two blocks…just two blocks and you’ll have her back.

Getting To Know You

Vandal

“Are you sure you want to go inside?” My hand is on the doorknob as I glance back at Lola for the tenth time.

“Yes. You live here, and I want to be able to visit where you live. Being afraid of a building because bad things happened here isn’t a mature viewpoint. We’re in this together. If you can live here, I can visit.” Lola reaches out and covers my hand with hers. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

Do I believe her? I don’t have a choice but to believe her. The door opens, and my eyes go to her.