But today we could find her body in these woods.
I peek up from the map, wanting to share all of this with Gideon. But he’s standing over by the tent, pretending not to see me.
I notice Tina and Laura up ahead, squinting at their own map.
“Asher,” I say, nudging his arm. “I’ve got to talk to Tina real quick.”
“Mm-hmm,” he mumbles without looking up.
I dash over to Tina and tap her lightly on the shoulder. No need to call Laura’s attention. Tina turns around, smiling when he sees me. “Hey, Cass. Need a partner?”
“I’m actually partnered with Asher. But I wanted to ask you something.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
One look at her smiling face and my nerves falter. Just say it. “Look, I know nothing happened between you and Brandon last Tuesday.”
Tina’s smile freezes, then slowly deflates. “Excuse me?”
“You weren’t driving around or doing anything with Brandon all afternoon.” It’s a gamble. But deep down, everyone—Tina included—already wonders if I’m crazy. What’s the worst that could happen? “My question is why did you lie?”
Tina blinks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Why would you spread a rumor that you were with Laura’s ex,” I say, leaning in close, “when you weren’t?” I straighten again, taking a step in Laura’s direction. “I mean, she’s right over there. Maybe you want to explain it to her.”
Tina pulls on my sleeve. “Wait.” She gnaws her bottom lip, her eyes zipping over to Laura and then back to me. “Fine. I lied. But I’m not telling you why.”
I exhale slowly, so she can’t see my relief. “Really? Maybe we should see what Brandon thinks about your little rumor.”
“It wasn’t my rumor,” Tina snaps. “Stephanie saw me get into the car and started blabbing about it. I didn’t tell anyone on purpose.”
Guilt tumbles in my stomach. “I’m not going to say anything. I just need to know. Did Brandon put you up to this? Did he tell you to say you were with him all afternoon?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “He just gave me a ride. Cass, please. I can’t have people asking me about why I was in town or why Brandon drove me. You have to let this go.”
“Tell me exactly what happened, and I give you my word it will stay between us.”
Tina’s head slumps. “I was one test away from academic suspension.” A few yards away, Laura stirs, so we move a few steps farther from the tent. “Coach was going to call my parents,” she whispers. “No more volleyball. I promised I’d get my grades up, but there weren’t enough hours in the day. I remembered Dave talking about this guy behind Carver’s who can sell you something to help you stay awake.” She glances anxiously behind her to make sure no one is listening. “When Coach ended practice early, Brandon was already getting into his car. I needed a ride from someone who wouldn’t ask questions.” Her face flushes. “Please don’t tell anyone. If Coach or my parents ever found out—”
“Tina, it’s okay. I won’t tell anyone.” I regret this whole conversation, for making Tina—one of the few nice people on our team—admit something so shameful. But I have to push it, or it was all for nothing. “I need to know one more thing. Where did Brandon go after he dropped you off?”
She frowns. “I don’t know. He let me out and drove off.”
“He didn’t say anything about where he was headed?”
“Why is this so important? Is this about the diner the other night? I saw Brandon flirting with you, but I didn’t think you’d actually fall for”—she peeks behind her again, where Laura’s chatting with some guys from school—“someone like him.”
“What does that mean, someone like him?” Does Tina know about Brandon? The real Brandon?
“Nothing.” She gives me an unreadable look. “Just be careful, Cass.” Then she turns back to the search tent, and joins Laura and the guys. I speed-walk back to Asher.
So there is a crack in Brandon’s alibi. He was unaccounted for long enough to lure Melody Davenport into the woods.
Asher is still engrossed in his map, oblivious I ever left. I kick a pebble as someone behind us shouts, “Hey, Pratts! Wait up!”
Brandon.
He stops beside me and my heart whirrs like a wind-up toy.
He’s wearing the jacket from yesterday. It’s one of those green parkas with all the pockets. A couple bulge, but I can’t tell if any of them hold the box.
“Hey, Brandon.” I wave and take a step closer. Then, holding my breath, I force myself to lean in for a hug.
Brandon’s body stiffens beneath my arms, but I brush a hand over the bulgiest of the pockets anyway. My fingertip knocks something, making a faint, hollow tap. It could be the tiny box, the one holding Melody’s necklace. I let out the breath and pull back, smiling awkwardly.
Asher and Brandon exchange goofy expressions as we pick up our pace. When we reach our circled area of the forest, Asher points. “The sheriff said to look here carefully. If we see any disturbed patches or anything that might belong to Melody, we have to find an officer. We aren’t supposed to touch anything.”
“We’d better get started,” Brandon says with a shrug. “There’s a lot of ground to cover. Should we split up?”
“Definitely,” Asher says. “Shout if you see anything, Cass.”
“I will.” The boys wander off in opposite directions, and I move in a straight line. I examine the forest floor, pushing aside twigs and leaves with my shoes. It’s a perfect, sunny fall day. The kind that sends the slightest breeze through the woods, kicking up the scent of orange honeysuckle. The kind Gideon and I might spend skipping rocks over the glassy surface of the reservoir. Or doing any outdoor activity—other than this.
Half an hour later, footsteps break my focus. I look up, expecting Asher. But it’s Brandon.
“So, where’s Gideon?” he asks, stepping closer. My eyes comb the trees for my brother, but there’s no sign of him. Panic flutters in my chest.
“He’s around,” I say. “Searching with his mom.”
“Right.” Brandon bites his lower lip. “Here, let’s go this way.” He points toward a large patch of shrubbery, tugging on my wrist with his other hand. I flinch and wrench my arm away.
His forehead wrinkles. “What’s wrong, Cass? You’re acting weird.”