“And the police.”
“I know.”
“And you need to get somewhere safe.”
Before I could respond, there was a knock at the front door.
Three slow knocks.
We both froze.
Nobody knew we were there.
I quietly walked toward the window.
A black SUV was parked across the street.
No one was inside.
Then the knocking came again.
This time, a man’s voice called from outside.
“Claire Hayes?”
I didn’t answer.
“I’m with Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.”
Serena looked relieved.
I wasn’t.
Because the voice continued.
“We need to talk to you about your grandmother.”
I moved closer to the window.
Then I saw the badge through the glass.
Something was wrong.
The badge wasn’t from Charleston County.
And the man’s uniform wasn’t either.
Serena whispered:
“Don’t open the door.”
I stepped backward.
Then my phone buzzed.
A new message.
This one was from Evan.
CLAIRE, DO NOT TRUST THE MAN AT THE DOOR.
I stared at it.
Then another message arrived.
He works for Malcolm.
The knocking stopped.
For ten seconds, there was silence.
Then the man outside said:
“I know you found the letter.”
My blood ran cold.
