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daughter’s sports, she enjoyed the “mom solidarity” she shared with them. There was some consolation in knowing that other teenage girls went crazy from time to time.
    The women were sliding out of the booth when Cheree called to Jane. “Before I forget, there’s something I wanted to tell you.”
    Jane didn’t like the lines of concern on Cheree’s forehead. “What’s up?”
    â€œI just wanted to give you a heads-up. Dr. Gallaway was going to tell you, but since I was there, I told her I’d speak to you. This afternoon a man came into the office looking for you. Very polite and clean cut, but he wasn’t there on school business.”
    Fear curled through Jane, sickening, cloying. She forced herself to keep breathing, chest expanding, then compressing. “Are you sure he wasn’t a parent?”
    â€œAt least he was honest about that part. Dr. G asked if he wanted to leave a message or business card, but he declined. When I asked his name, he just smiled and said he’d catch up with you somewhere else.”
    No, no, no. It couldn’t be.
    â€œDid you get a good look at him?” Jane asked.
    â€œI did. I took notice because he was a good-looking guy and a bit of a charmer, too. He’s about medium height, dark hair, broad shoulders, and in good shape. He was wearing khakis and a shirt with a collar. Office casual.”
    Tall, dark, and charming; it was him.
    Jane could imagine him working the angles, schmoozing the office staff. Even Dr. Gallaway would have been intrigued, despite her demeanor of cool professionalism.
    â€œDo you have a child in the school?” the principal would have asked.
    His smile would have been apologetic.
    â€œCan I ask the nature of your business?”
    â€œI’d rather not say,” he would have answered with a glint in his periwinkle eyes. As if he had a joyous surprise in store that he couldn’t bear to spoil.
    When the truth was that he had traveled hundreds of miles to find her. He had come to kill her. And if he found out about Harper, he would kill her, too.

Chapter 3
    D ubstep music throbbed through the car as Jane drove home. After they’d discussed and dismissed Olivia’s scheme, Jane had let Harper turn to her station, hoping that the music would keep the girl from noticing that her mother was shaken to the core.
    Should she call the police? While it might be a relief to think of the Mirror Lake Police Department as a resource standing behind her, she wasn’t sure she could impress the urgency of the situation upon them.
    I’m afraid of a man who assaulted me fifteen years ago.
    Would they tell her to file a police report back home in Burnson? Impossible. No one there would help her, even if she were crazy enough to go back. When it had happened, she had known many of the cops, his friends and coworkers. She had tried to imagine herself opening the glass and steel door to the precinct. Stepping right up to the sergeant’s desk. Sitting with a cop as she provided dates and details. As she spelled out his name. “Frank, short for Francis. Yes, your buddy, Francis Dixon. One of your own.”
    â€œSay a word to anyone and I’ll kill you,” he had whispered in her ear. “And don’t even think about calling the cops. They take this shit seriously now. You open your mouth and I could lose my job. If that ever happens, no one will ever find you. I know how to make people disappear into little pieces. Your parents will never know what happened to you. They’ll never find you, because I have friends. I’m Tony Soprano.” He’d laughed at that. “I know how to take care of business.”
    As Jane turned onto the street leading to their cul-de-sac, she wondered about their safety now, tonight, in their home. Did he know where they lived? Back at the pizza place she had called Luke and asked him to meet her at the house. She needed time to