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She stared at the screen and considered whether to answer it Part of her really wanted to If she was being honest with herself, it would feel really good to hear his voice, even if she wasn’t in desperate need of a shoulder to cry on

But the logical part of her won out, and she clicked ignore Heabout Geether in front of her father if Daniel told her so, he’d leave a voice mail, and Harper would check it the very second she was out of Brian’s sight And if Daniel hadn’t found anything, not answering would save Harper fro a conversation with hiht now

"Who was that?" Brian asked, his voice brightening at the chance that it ht be about Gemma

"It was just, um, Marcy, from work" Harper stood up abruptly and shoved her phone in her pocket "Sorry, Dad, I’o lie down"

Brian started to say so upstairs She didn’t go to her roo it to the toilet just in time for her to throw up

When she’d finished, she sat down on the cold tiles and rested her head against the wall She pulled her phone back out She clicked on the voice e, and he hadn’t Harper quickly scrolled through her contact list for Alex’s number

"Hello?" Alex answered

"We need to find Gemma," Harper said

"Yeah, I know"

"No" Harper shook her head, as if he could see her "I irls are I’h of relief "I was thinking the sa her back, by any means necessary"

FOUR

Withdrawals

Gelass door to the balcony was open, allowing the wind to blow in, billowing out the curtains and filling the room with the sweet scent of the ocean