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A look of gratitude lit Cary’s eyes "You’re very kind and understanding"

"It’s fine, seriously," Sarah said "And Mr Griffin is more than welcome to come back and see ht now, though, he--we--need to get back He’s due for hisis i intently at Sarah

"I didn’t htened, so don’t worry," she said And it was true She wasn’t frightened He was solidly real, and there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for his presence

And even for most of his words

"But you believe ain The evil--it’s back again"

"Mr Griffin, we really have to go," Cary said

Mr Griffin nodded, but he was still staring at Sarah "It’s all right I’ll go Sarah knows And she’ll find out the truth"

He turned and started down the hallway, leaning heavily on his cane Cary Hagan flashed Sarah one last sh his

They left the door open behind them, and Sarah watched them all the way down the steps and out to the sidewalk The man was pretty re around on his own, and he appeared to still have all his marbles Well, most of them

But the loss of a child had to affect a person’s reason; she didn’t have children, but she knew that after losing a child, life would be irrevocably changed

Evil

Twilight had co, and his characterization of her house suddenly reverberated in her mind

She re could be evil Even so, she found herself unnerved

Suddenly she didn’t want to be there any longer She felt inexplicably afraid to turn around, afraid to look in the corners and see what rabbed her purse and fled

Caroline had hit the nail on the head harder than she could have iined hat she had said earlier

Sarah was certain she had never wanted--needed--a drink so badly in her life

He’d been right on the money

As Caleb sat at the bar and sipped a beer, Caroline Roth entered along with her coworkers, Barry Travis and Renee Otten

Unfortunately, Sarah wasn’t with theot settled, Renee noted hihtly wary, which didn’t bother his happening in town But she nudged Caroline, who looked up, s the city?" she asked

"Of course It’s beautiful," he said

She smiled, but her smile quickly faded "Isn’t it bizarre? The bones they found in Sarah’s place, I ?"

"She’s a trouper, but this was a rough day for her Even the tourists have heard about it now, so on top of theher about it all day And since she just bought the place, really, what could she say to anyone?"

"Sounds like a pretty uncomfortable position"

"She’s wanted to live in that house since ere kids Its history always fascinated her I think she was born to be a historian--she knew every bit of local history, ever, by the ti him with the look of aor showing his awareness of her purpose "She was always the best student in school We all thought she should be a model, but she’s a bookworm at heart Not in a bad way, of course"

"Of course not" He allowed himself a smile then "Where is she now, anyway?" he asked

"She wanted to run by the house But she’ll be here soon"

Caleb felt an al desire to leap up and run to the house to check on her, suddenly worried that she was there…alone

Of course, maybe she wasn’t alone

"Why don’t you coo

"I don’t want to intrude"

"I wouldn’t have asked you if I thought you’d be an intrusion Co to show up, too He’s totally dependable, and Sarah swore to me that she wouldn’t bail on us"

"If you’re sure you don’t mind…"

"I’m sure Really"

He placed money on the bar for the beer and followed her over to the table Renee greeted him with a s lost friend