He was half afraid to set the tub down.
“Where’s your room, Amelia?” Zoey ventured farther inside, then lowered her voice for Linc’s ears only. “We should probably make this quick.”
“Agreed.” He risked setting the tub down, peeled off the lid.
Amelia set the box of trash bags on the counter separating the kitchen from the living area. “Down the hall, to the left. Mom let me have the bigger one.” She cast a quick look at Linc, like he was supposed to be impressed. Like maybe that was proof Kirsten wasn’t a horrible parent after all.
Zoey’s hand on his arm kept his mouth shut. He cleared his throat. “Go on, then. Grab what you want.”
Felt weird walking farther into Kirsten’s personal space, so he let Zoey take the tub and go with Amelia around the corner. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, giving the room a slow once-over. No art on the wall, no framed photos sitting out. No motherly efforts toward making the space homey. Just an ancient television, a stack of magazines beside the futon, a yoga mat rolled up in the corner. How in the world had they lived here?
How had Amelia lived herealoneas long as she had? Had she even remembered to lock the door at night?
Linc turned to study the weak deadbolt. He could kick that in, easy, which meant someone else determined to could have as well. His stomach boiled with anger. Could Kirsten get any more foolish, any more selfish?
His chest clenched. How had he been so blind to who Kirsten really was all those years ago? He should have seen signs, had some indication. But he’d been duped. Blinded by love, or some hopeful teenage version of it.
Just a guy looking to find someone to stay.
They returned from down the hall, Zoey toting the tub half-full of what looked like some rolled-up posters, makeup, and a few boxes tucked inside. Amelia’s arms were draped with clothes.
She stopped short, face washing pale as she stared into the kitchen.
“What is it?” Linc started toward her. “Another bug?”
She shook her head, stack of clothes going limp in her arms. Wire hangers clacked together. “It’s just…those dishes weren’t in the sink when I left.”
Linc met Zoey’s eyes, which looked as startled as he felt.
Amelia visibly swallowed. “Mom’s been here.”
* * *
Half an hour later, after drive-thru tacos, they were once again on the road. Zoey cast a look in her side mirror at Amelia, asleep in the backseat next to her meager belongings. She hugged a stuffed unicorn she told them was named Frederick on her lap. Linc had raised his eyebrows but wisely kept his mouth shut. No doubt he was remembering her angry dismissal of unicorn sheets when she first arrived.
From the driver’s seat, Linc talked in quiet tones with Ms. Bridges, his expression drawn. Zoey alternated between trying to eavesdrop and trying to pray. Was Amelia right? Had Kirsten really been there that recently?
Linc finally disconnected the call, his face grim. The radio played low. “She hasn’t heard from her.”
Wow. Zoey fought to wrap her mind around that. “Well…I guess we don’t know forsureit was Kirsten who made the mess.”
Linc dropped his phone in the cup holder. “Amelia said she could tell. It was her mom’s favorite coffee mug.”
“Maybe someone broke in.”
“And made sure to put their dishes in the sink after cooking?” He tilted his head, voice infused with doubt.
“Yeah, that was a dumb suggestion. I’m just trying to think who else it could be. The manager?”
“I doubt it. She’d have said something when she gave us the key. Besides, it’s not like their apartment was a nice place to hang out.”
All good points. Zoey’s heart thudded, and she cast a glance over her shoulder to confirm Amelia wasn’t listening. “So you’re saying Kirsten went home at some point over the last few days, realized her daughter wasn’t there, and just left again—without calling the police or social services or anything?”
“It’s a different lifestyle, Zoey.” His grip tightened on the steering wheel. A muscle jumped in his jaw. “It won’t make sense to you.”
Spoken like a man who knew. Zoey frowned. But that was impossible. “If it won’t make sense, then how doyouunderstand?”
“Because I’ve been in trouble before.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Obviously.”
