I’m worried about her.
So, if I can stay late at work, make sure everything is perfect for her here and take some of the burdens off her, I’ll gladly do it.
Annika is my best friend. She’s the only person in the world who knows my deepest secrets. And I’ll do whatever it takes to help her.
I hear the bell on the front door and hurry out to tell whoever it is that we’re closed.
But when I get there, I stop cold.
“Hello, Ivie.” He flips the lock on the door, and I dial Annika’s number and leave my phone on the desk so she can hear everything. I hope with all my might that she answers. “Or should I say, Laryssa?”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, I don’t know a Laryssa. I’m Ivie. And we’re closed for the day. But if you’d like to make an appointment, I can help you with that.”
“You know, I thought for a long time that your father was an imbecile. Stupid. He didn’t cover his tracks well.”
I just raise my chin, determined not to let him see my fear.
“But you’re different. You covered your tracks very well. And I know that you couldn’t have done that alone. Which tells me that your father isn’t as stupid as I thought.”
“I don’t know what you could possibly want from me. I’m just living my life.”
“And a nice life it is,” he says. “Good for you, Laryssa. I couldn’t make your father pay for his sins when he was alive—and we both know that those sins were many. But now I’ve found you.”
I shake my head as he walks around the counter.
“Now, don’t do something silly like try to get away. You’re coming with me. And you’re going to pay for the sins of your father.”
He jabs a syringe into my arm, and I immediately feel…heavy.
“There, now. Come along, Laryssa. We have plenty of work to do.”