Page 87 of Asher's Assignment
“You’re not, but I get that you’re trying to keep a brave face.” Liv heaved herself up, putting a hand on her swollen belly. “I’ll get out of your hair so you can finish your prep. If you need anything?—”
“I will call.” Esther smiled. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Liv waddled toward the door, pausing for a moment to glance back. “I hope everything works out okay. I like Asher. And Leah must be terrified.”
The emotions Esther had closed off knocked at the door. She pressed her mouth into a flat line and nodded. “Thanks.”
Liv gave her a soft smile, then left.
Esther blew out a breath, then sucked in another one through her nose, holding it for a second. She was tired of feeling like a train wreck. Another cryfest alone in her room was probably in order. This time, though, she’d probably do it in the shower. As much as she loved her sister, she didn’t want to share her emotions—just get them out.
Shaking off the melancholy, Esther dove back into her lesson prep.
As she neared the end—finally—her phone dinged. She paused to look at it. It was a text from Edie.
Are you almost done? You said you’d text and to give you half an hour, but it’s been forty minutes.
Esther tapped the screen and replied. Almost. You can head over. I should be done by the time you get here. Or shortly after.
Dots appeared on the screen, then, Sounds good.
Incentivized now, knowing Edie was on her way, Esther banged out the last bit of her plans and hit print. Pushing away from the desk, she left her classroom and went down the hall to get the papers from the workroom printer. With them in hand, she went back to leave a copy on her desk and get her things.
Double-checking she had everything and that her room was in order, she flipped off the lights and headed for the front doors, stopping in the office to leave a copy of her lesson plan in the principal’s mailbox, just in case something happened to the one on her desk.
“Hi, Esther.” The office manager, Nan, smiled when Esther walked in.
“You’re still here?” Esther held out her lesson plan.
“Only for a few more minutes. I had some things to catch up on. Is this your plan for the sub?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect. I’ll make sure Becky gets it.”
“Thanks, Nan.”
“Yep. Oh! I almost forgot.” Nan shuffled through the pile of papers on her desk. “I was going to stick this in your mailbox, then got busy.” She held up a white envelope. “A courier dropped this off for you earlier.”
With a frown marring her face, Esther took the letter. “Did they say what it was or who it was from?” She turned it over in her hands and saw a logo for an educational store in Coos Bay in the corner.
“Just that it was a promotional thing from that store.”
Esther sighed. “Now I’m getting junk mail at school too? That’s just great.” Chuckling, she waved it as she backed toward the door. “Thanks, Nan.”
“Not a problem. I hope you have a good evening despite—” She stopped and flopped a hand back and forth.
“Yeah. Me too.” Smile fading, she pushed a shoulder into the door and waved again as she left. Outside, there was no sign of Edie yet, so Esther sat on the bench near the entrance and opened the envelope. She did like the store and shopped there regularly for supplies. Maybe it was a coupon she could use on her next visit.
Except it wasn’t.
Esther’s blood ran cold, making her hands tremble as she read the typed lines on the single sheet of paper she’d unfolded.
If you want to see your friend alive, bring me Lindy. 2247 Sorrell Lane. Come alone. If I see anyone other than you two, he’s dead. I’m watching.
If there’d been any doubt in her mind that Bradley Lennox was involved, it had been erased with the use of Connie’s real name.
Her head lifted, and her gaze darted from one corner of the parking lot to the next. She stared at the shadows, wondering if someone was hiding.
