Chapter 29

Trevor listened carefully.

Late-night visits? Who was coming to her place in the middle of the night and only staying for ten or fifteen minutes?

It was another question they needed to get to the bottom of.

“Did you tell the police that?” Trevor asked.

“No, I didn’t think it was important.” She paused. “Should I?”

“It’s probably not a big deal.” Trevor wanted to investigate first before the police found out.

They thanked Victoria, and she walked them to the door. But before she closed it, she said, “You should talk to Melanie across the street.”

“Why is that?” Sadie asked.

“Because out of everyone who lives on this street, you talk to her the most.”

“Is that right?” Sadie said. “Thank you for that. Do you know if she’s home now?”

“She’s a stay-at-home mom with two kids who aren’t in school yet. I’d say there’s a good chance she is.”

“Thank you again,” Sadie muttered.

Without talking about it, Sadie and Trevor headed across the street to Melanie’s house.

Before they even reached the door, it opened.

A woman near Sadie’s age stood there, a toddler on her hip.

“Sadie . . . am I ever glad to see you!” Melanie—Trevor could only assume that was who the woman was—reached for Sadie and pulled her into a hug.

Some grape jelly on her toddler’s cheek stuck to Sadie’s shirt when she stepped back, but Sadie didn’t seem to mind. If she noticed, she ignored it.

“I’ve been hoping you’d stop by.” Melanie tilted her head as her voice dropped with compassion. “We’ve all been so worried.”

Sadie shifted awkwardly in front of her neighbor. “You know I’ve lost most of my memories, right?”

Most of her memories? Trevor mused. He thought Sadie had lost all her memories.

Maybe it had been a misspeak.

They walked into the living room, where Melanie put her toddler on the floor behind a baby gate. The boy began running around with his little sister. The whole place was a kiddie wonderland with a plastic slide, colorful toys, and stuffed animals everywhere.

Before Trevor could dive into any questions, Melanie turned toward him. “Are you the new guy?”

Trevor’s back tightened. “The new guy?”

“What do you mean?” A new eagerness filled Sadie’s voice.

Melanie turned back to Sadie. “The last time we spoke, you said you’d met some new guy. Someone you really liked. You seemed happy.”

Trevor could hardly breathe. Was Melanie referring to him? He didn’t want to jump to any conclusions.

But if Melanie was referring to him, it brought him a surprising measure of happiness.

Then Trevor reminded himself to stay in check.

There were still too many uncertainties.

In fact, maybe this man Sadie was meeting in the middle of the night was her new love interest. Or maybe he was Guy.

Or maybe he was . . . one of Trevor’s enemies she was slipping information to.

His jaw tightened.

He didn’t like any of those possibilities.

* * *

“I told you I’d just met somebody?” Could Sadie have been referring to Guy? “Did I say anything else?”

“You were all hush-hush about it,” Melanie said. “But you looked really excited, and I was happy for you.”

“Did I tell you anything else about him?” Sadie asked.

Melanie shook her head. “No, not really. I’m sorry. I wish I could be more help. But I think you were waiting to see how things worked out before you told me very many details.” Melanie’s gaze went to Trevor. “Speaking of which, you never told me who this is.”

Sadie stumbled to find the right words. How did she describe Trevor? Her bodyguard?

That would raise some questions.

A friend?

That didn’t ring true either.

“I’m working private security for her,” Trevor answered for her. “Considering the fact someone tried to kill her, it seemed in her best interest.”

Melanie took a step back as if suddenly second-guessing her choice to let them into the house. “I see.”

“I won’t take up much more of your time.” Sadie seemed to sense her friend’s sudden fear. “But is there anything else I may have told you that might help me remember? Anyone else I can talk to? I’ve already been in to work, and I talked to Victoria across the street.”

Melanie pressed her lips together before frowning and shaking her head. “Not that I know of. You seemed pretty content just working and doing your own thing. You’re not the type who needs to be out all the time being social. Not that you’re a hermit or anything. You’re a nice in-between, you know?”

Sadie didn’t mind that description of herself. It seemed to fit the person she sensed she’d been. “You said I’ve only lived here six months? Do you know where I moved from?”

Melanie shook her head. “No, you never mentioned it. I mean, I just assumed you’d probably lived in an apartment and had saved up money to buy a house.”

Sadie nodded. “That would make sense.”

Melanie tilted her head to the side, clearly trying to wrap up the conversation. “It’s so good to see you, Sadie. I hope you get your memories back. I’d love to hang out sometime once all this passes over.”

Sadie smiled, trying to push away all the heaviness she felt. “I would love that too.”

But what if this never passed? What if this was her new normal?