Last Christmas (Private 0.60)

Thomas struggled to push himself up against the cement-block wall. His swiped the bottle of SmartWater and

twisted the cap off, chugging half the bottle in one gulp.

Ariana dropped the picture on the floor in front of him. "I found this in your room yesterday," she began,

opening Mr. Holmes's cell phone over the picture. Blue light spilled over every crease, every imperfection in

the paper. "On your desk."

Looking confused, Thomas leaned over the crinkled piece of paper. Shock froze his features, and he was

silent.

"Somebody's following us." Ariana was trying to sound strong, but her voice came out shaky. "And it's not

Daniel. I called his resort this morning. He's there. Just like you said."

"Why?" Thomas asked, his brow creasing. "Who would-"

"I don't know," she said flatly.

She stared at the photo. Thomas was facing the camera. She was facing away. They were both sitting on

Daniel's desk, amidst a pile of textbooks and dirty clothes. Daniel's laptop was open on the edge of the desk,

facing the door. Once again, the thought of that spreadsheet sent a shiver of disgust through her body.

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"What's that?" Thomas squinted harder at the picture, bringing it in front of his face.

"What's what?" Ariana felt her pulse quickening.

"Nothing." He shrugged. His features had hardened. "I just thought I saw something." He dropped the picture

again and Ariana snatched it before it had the chance to reach the floor.

"Show me," she demanded.

The picture was the only link between them and whoever was following them. If he'd seen something that

could help them figure out who it was, she needed to know.

Thomas rolled his eyes and pointed. "It's just that dark smudge in the corner of the mirror. I thought it was the

photographer, but it's just ink from the printer or something." Thomas reached for the white chocolate

reindeer, peeling the edge of the tinfoil away. "Never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to wish I'd gone

home for Christmas." He reached down to his ankle and touched it gingerly. "Definitely sprained."

Ariana studied the picture, trying not to let his words sting. She knew his comment hadn't meant anything, but

it was hard not to take it personally.

"It's nothing," Thomas said again, biting off a giant antler. "Don't waste your time."

But Ariana's pulse was quickening again. She stood up and brought the photo over to the window, where the