cold spring near Miller’s Bend.
And there, for maybe thirty seconds, the creek had stilled.
Then the surface pulled uphill.
Not much.
Just enough to drag floating pine needles against the current.
Just enough to make Lily crouch and stare until the water returned to normal.
That was the first day Buck noticed the notebook was missing from the trailer.
That was the first day Sheriff Mercer started appearing wherever Lily went.
That was the first day Buck stopped pretending.
Lily took out the brass key from the jacket lining.
