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exceedingly uncomfortable alternative.
    I could ask the other person on the phone—his mother, Alicia Whitmore.
    "Desperate times call for desperate measures," I sighed, a few minutes away from what my head was telling me was a huge mistake. I focused instead on how picturesque Granite Falls was compared to the city. The roads weren't full of cars stacked like sardines or riddled with potholes. The scent of exhaust fumes and asphalt didn't invade my vents. All the not so charming things about the city were non existent out here. Even the modest homes looked extravagant, and were flanked by white picket fences.
    Instead of smoke, money hung on the air out here. As beautiful as everything was, there was something off putting about the manicured lawns and the perfectly painted homes without a smudge of wear or tear. Everything was a little too impeccable. Bad things happened in Granite Falls too, they just had the money to cover their tracks.
    What bad thing was Alicia and Jacob covering up?
    I pulled up to the gate in front of the Whitmore property. With the iron fence and extensive landscaping, you couldn't even see the house from the street. If my GPS wasn't barking that I reached my destination, I almost would have driven right past. Alicia Whitmore wasn't the kind of woman that did secluded or discreet. Money was important to her and showing just how much she had was doubly so.
    The security guard snapped to attention, reminding me of the cold seriousness of the Buckingham Palace guards. He stared at me like I was wearing a ski mask and had 'I'm up to no good' stamped on my forehead.
    "Can I help you?" he snapped, not sounding very helpful at all.
    "I'm Leila Whitmore. Alicia is expecting me."
    The stern expression on his face relaxed and he touched the rim of his ball cap. "Of course. Have a good night."
    He returned to his post without another word and I gripped the steering wheel, suddenly getting cold feet. The gate creaked open and I tapped the gas, pulling the car into motion whether I was ready or not. Even in pitch darkness I was in awe of the estate. The drive was as smooth as butter, each side flanked by lush green grass and weeping willows. The mansion sat at the end of the drive, gothic and intimidating. It reminded me of some far off castle in Europe. I expected a horse drawn carriage to be parked out front but there was only a Mercedes. Even though I'd talked to Alicia a little over an hour ago to arrange all this, the house was dark and foreboding.
    The only power Alicia has over you is the power you give her. Even though you're coming to her for answers, that doesn't mean you're weak. But I suddenly felt like every move was torture, my legs filled with lead. My heart clenched and released in time with my fists. My sweaty palms were unable to hold my grip on the keys, which led to me fumbling around in the dark for them.
    I exclaimed as flood lights flickered on, my vision blinded by the brightness. I covered my eyes, trying to adjust to the football stadium strength illumination.
    I heard the click of heels and struggled to get to my feet.
    "Quite the entrance, Leila." Alicia’s voice was as cutting as the cobblestone slicing into my knees. "Is there a reason you're on all fours in my driveway?"
    "It's all the rage nowadays, crawling around on all fours," I joked. I was finally able to see the lady of the manor. She wore a cream colored sweater, a black peplum skirt, and a frown.
    Her eyes were silver as she looked me over and shook her head. "I'm sure you would know about such things considering your particular tastes."
    I guess I should have been happy that she was no longer calling me a gold digging skank, willing to debase myself for a lavish lifestyle, but it still stung.
    "I dropped my keys," I said, purposefully changing the subject. "I just-"
    She bent down way more gracefully than should have been possible in her red bottom stilettos. She rose, dangling my keys between her pointer finger and thumb