Page 83 (1/2)

Caine had only been eight years old

Violet agreed with the sheriff that his story was sad, tragic even, but it didn’t change who he’d become He was a murderer, plain and simple In the end, he hadn’t been the kind of person to feel sorry for, at least as far as Violet was concerned Given the chance, he would have killed her without so ed for nail polish remover, so she could strip the lacquer re into their driveway the next s of panic about returning to her real life She wasn’t sure she could go back in there--into her house Not after everything that had happened She was too worried about the memories it would hold

She already carried an eternal reminder of Caineof his death

Violet turned up the volu to drown out the persistent ht Even harder not to drea here

Herwith the music for her attention Violet pulled one of the earbuds free "Your friends are here," herever since she’d heard the doctor at the clinic say that Violet was okay That she just needed some rest and she’d be fine

Violet had her own opinions about that diagnosis

When she saw Krystal’s car, Roxy, parked alongside Jay’s car in the driveway, the mask--the practiced look of serenity she’d carefully donned during the ride home--slipped

"I kno much they mean to you," her mom ex-plained, her expression painfully hopeful

Jay stood waiting for Violet outside, and when the car stopped and she got out he watched her silently for atoward her, catching her in his ar for a long, long ti each other, breathing each other in Jay squeezed her against hiain, his grip tightening even when Violet didn’t think it could possibly tighten any ain, Violet Aain," he said when he finally loosened his grip, keeping his fingers interlaced with hers

Violet didn’t tell hi She didn’t explain that none of this was her fault, or talk about what had happened during the past several days Instead, she just lifted her eyes to his "I won’t I promise"

Behind him, Violet saw the front door to her house open, and she stiffened when Rafe stepped out

Jay atching her "What’s wrong, Vi? I thought you’d be happy to see theuess he’s important to me too"