I opened and closed the cabinets softly, sparing her any jarring noises. And then my phone beeped.
It was one of my messenger accounts.
Garrett.
“Holy shit,” I whispered.
Hi. I’m coming home.
I almost dropped the phone.
Where are you?
I waited. My hands shook.
I need to talk to you without Mom and Dad. Can you meet me?
Yes. Where? Where are you? I’m in NB.
Almost at my place.
I’ll be there in an hour.
That gave me fifteen minutes to get my stuff together and sneak out of the house without waking up my mother.
I ran to my room and got dressed. I pulled my hair into a ponytail, grabbed my purse, and tiptoed out the back door. It was on the opposite end of the house from the living room. I prayed she wouldn’t hear the rental car start up.
I drove as fast as I could to Atlantic Beach, cursing each red light I hit on the way. What if he changed his mind? What if he was scared I would betray him? Things could change with Garrett’s moods so quickly. What if this was one of those times?
I parked at his condominium complex and raced up the stairs.
Only yesterday I had been here with our father. Looking for clues. Praying my brother wasn’t dead. The nausea swept through me. What in the hell was going on? My knees almost buckled underneath me.
“Garrett?” I knocked.
The door opened and I stared at my brother. He was wearing a full beard.
“Hey.” He smiled.
“Where have you been?” I betrayed my own promise. The deal I had made with myself not to be angry when I found him.
He put his hands up in defense. The mannerism was so much like my father’s. “Just hear me out.”
“Damn it, Garrett. I flew down here in the middle of the night. Do you realize Dad called the police? We searched hospitals? Mom is about to have a mental breakdown.”
“Hold on. Hold on. Come inside first before you tear my head off.”
I glared at him as I walked inside.
“At least you know I’m angry.”
He shrugged. “Morgan told me to call you sooner.”
“Morgan? Who is Morgan?”
He grinned. “She’s the one, Elliot. The girl.”
“Holy shit. We’ve been searching the morgue for your stupid ass and you’ve been with a girl?”