Chapter 26 Elyse
ELYSE
Iwas wiping croissant crumbs off the counter at the bookstore when the bell jingled. Cat strode in, her usual confident stride shortened by what looked like concern.
"Got a minute?" she asked, glancing around the empty store.
"For you? Always." I set aside my cleaning cloth. "What's up?"
Cat leaned against the counter, lowering her voice. "Something weird happened at the café today. I thought you should know, given your... particular set of skills."
I raised an eyebrow. "I'm supposed to be reformed, remember? No more amateur detective work."
"I know, I know," Cat said, holding up her hands. "But this isn't about some random cheater. It's about Allison."
My protective instincts immediately flared. "Is she okay?"
"I'm not sure." Cat crossed her arms. "I found her in the parking lot after her shift, staring at her windshield. She was parked next to my bike and I could see a note tucked under her wiper blade."
"What did it say?"
"I don't know. She snatched it away before I could see it properly, but her hands were shaking, Elyse. And when I asked if everything was alright, she just plastered on this fake smile and said it was probably an advertisement."
I frowned. "But you don't think it was."
"No way. She crumpled it up and shoved it in her pocket like it was radioactive.
"Have you noticed anything else unusual?"
"She's been jumpier lately. Checking her phone constantly, rearranging her schedule at the last minute. Noah mentioned something about his grandmother being mad that they missed Sunday dinner." Cat sighed. "I don't want to pry, but..."
"But you're worried," I finished for her.
"Yeah. And I know you and Holly have gotten close to Noah. I just thought you should know."
I nodded, my mind already turning over the possibilities. This wasn't some stranger's marriage—this was Allison, who'd become part of our extended circle. Who trusted Holly with her son.
"Thanks for telling me," I said finally. "I won't go full Nancy Drew, but I'll keep an eye out. Maybe Holly's noticed something during her babysitting."
Cat squeezed my arm. "That's all I'm asking. Just... awareness."
After she left, I stood at the counter, tapping my fingers against the wood.
The old Elyse would already be plotting surveillance and background checks.
I was considering Drew's and my friends' words, especially now that Holly was living with us, but as I returned to my cleaning, I couldn't help but wonder what was written on that note.
And who would leave it for Allison. And why.