Chapter 16: Mitch's POV

Mitch's POV

I was in the garage with the side window open when Keene's car pulled into the drive.

It was Monday, the day before the party, and Joanna had told me she was taking Marin to the florist.

She had not taken Marin.

Marin was at the bakery with Nikki, rehearsing where to stand.

I had asked her to stay out of the house, and for once she had listened.

The recording was on my phone now, and on a thumb drive in my shirt pocket, and on Marin's laptop at Nikki's.

Three copies, because Marin had said three.

I watched Keene get out of his car.

He wore the grey cardigan, even in July, and he carried a bakery box.

He did not knock at the front door.

He had a key.

I put down the chisel I was holding and found that my hand ached from gripping it.

I went around the side of the house, to the kitchen window Joanna always left open an inch.

I stood against the siding, where nobody inside could see me.

"You're early," Joanna said.

"I wanted to make it right. I think we're too tense."

"We're not tense. It's one more day."

"Then I'm tense about the day."

A cup went down on a saucer.

"Joanna. I've been thinking about the part where Marin talks."

My neck went hot.

"She won't talk," Joanna said. "She's a sensible girl."

"She's a sensible girl in love with her stepfather. That isn't the same thing."

There was a pause.

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