Chapter 2
TWO
brITTON
Iwalked inside, dropped my bags and blinked back the tears. Just when I was sure I couldn’t feel any lower, my mood sank more. The room was even shabbier and more depressing than I’d imagined, but a weekly rate motel room was better than living in the car. Or, at least a little better.
The carpet smelled weird, and I decided it was best if I didn’t try and puzzle out the odor.
I could only imagine what previous tenants had done within the yellowing walls of the cramped space.
There was a small stove and a stained coffeepot but no refrigerator.
The manager told me they used too much electricity. I would have to buy an ice chest.
It was all temporary, I assured myself. I’d save enough of each paycheck to get a down payment for my own place.
My own were such scary words, yet they gave me a sliver of hope.
I was alone for the first time in my life.
Completely alone. Someday, I’d get past this horrible, dark period in my life. Someday.
I picked up my bags and carried them to the small closet. A few hangers dangled on the bar, and a small dresser was shoved inside the space. I wasn’t going to unpack. If I unpacked, it would mean I was planning to stay for awhile. And I most definitely wasn’t.
My phone rang. It was the call I’d been waiting for. “Hello.”
“Yes, this is Mr. Towne. You left a message about the house rental?”
“Yes, I did. But, actually, I was just hoping you could tell me where your last tenant, Damon Rathmore, moved? He had some of my sister’s things with him when he moved out.”
An irritated pause followed. “I don’t keep information like that,” he said sharply.
“I’m very sorry, Miss Henley, but I can’t help you.
” He hung up. I’d expected it. But I wasn’t about to give up.
I needed to know what’d happened to my sister, and Damon was the person with the answers.
I wasn’t completely sure how, but I was going to track him down.