Chapter 29

Rhett throws his hands up as I get out of my car in the turnout, Atlas’s tennis shoes pointing toward the sky.

“What’s going on? Why do you want these?”

“Why are you touching them with your hand?”

Frowning, he drops the shoes, way too late.

“What the hell is happening?”

I use my sleeve again, making a mental note to keep some gloves in my car, and pick the shoes up. “Did you only touch the backs of these?”

“Yeah, why? Marley, explain.”

“We’ll scrub your prints. We’re going to press these into the ground near the burial site. It’s rained heavily since we were there last. We need to be careful, walk on moss, not mud.”

“Won’t these wash away too?”

“No rain forecast for the next week, but that’s not a guarantee.”

“So why are we here?”

“Because it’s only a matter of time before the dare comes up and the cops start connecting the dots. I have to do everything I can, right?”

He nods. “Yeah, okay.”

“Are you good? You don’t need to do this, Rhett.”

“Will you stop saying that? I told you I’m in, and I mean it.”

“Having someone else know scares me,” I admit, and start walking. He follows like I thought he would, because he’s really serious about seeing this through. I wish he wouldn’t be.

“Have I not proved myself, Marley?”

“Yes.” I’m not sure. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to totally trust anyone again. “Of course you’ve proved yourself. I’m so grateful, but paranoia is part of me now.”

“I’m on your side,” he says.

“I know you are.”

Rhett knows the woods as well as I do, so there are no irritating questions about which way we’re going, how much longer it’ll take, and if we’re getting lost.

He’s not as chatty as usual, but that works for me because I’m so drained.

“Rhett?” I say when we’re only a few minutes away from the burial site.

“Mmm?”

“How am I going to live with myself knowing I’ve done all ofthis?”

I’m enjoying this planning and using my brain to outsmart my friends rather than pass exams, but I don’t enjoy that I’m having to do it because of a dead man.

“It was an accident, Marley. And your so-called friends are the ones pushing you to do all of this. They’re going down if this gets out, and you’re going to college. Do something good. I know you will.”

“And what about you?”

He shrugs. “I’m already doomed, right?”

“No, that’s not right. You don’t have to turn into your parents. Over there, that’s the spot. Keep to the moss,” I say.

“My feet are sinking into the ground,” he says.

“The ground is softer near the…grave. Wait here and I’ll do it.”

“I can help.”

“We can’t afford for your shoe prints to be found here.”

“What about yours?”

“I’ll be careful,” I say, walking ahead.

“You’re shutting me out.”

“I have no time for jealous drama right now, Rhett.”

I keep my steps light and placed on thick patches of moss, avoiding the mud like the plague.

Crouching down, I press one of Atlas’s shoes mostly in the moss, overlapping in the mud so the edge of the tread is in the mud, lightly because it has been raining. There are trees above me, the leaves packed so densely they could have protected the print, keeping a shallow tread to lead the cops back to Atlas.

His fancy, limited-edition sneakers that he spent hundreds of dollars on are about to get him in more trouble than his mom thinking he’s irresponsible for splurging on such expensive shoes.

He’s relieved that our relationship is over. I’m going to make him wish it never happened at all.

“Are you done?” Rhett calls.

“Yep, we can go,” I tell him, retracing my steps. The trodden moss rises behind me, concealing each of my prints as if the universe is on my side too.

Rhett takes the shoes from me, using his sleeves the way I was. “I’ll put these back in his locker, but do you think he’s noticed?”

“No, I just saw him and Jesse skipping school. They got back to Jesse’s house as I was leaving, didn’t see me. Atlas wouldn’t have been so chill if he knew they were missing.”

As we’re walking back to our cars, my phone dings.

r u home?

I snort. “I think Luce has noticed that I stole my badge back.”

“What did she say?”

“Just asked if I’m home. I’m going to ignore her.”

“What are you doing now?”

“I’m going to go home and shower. I’d come with you back to school, but I can’t take the risk of running into Luce and Jesse if they’re back at school.”

“Yeah, I’ve got this,” he says, raising Atlas’s shoes in his hand. “And I’ll hide the shovels at Jesse’s on my way back if he’s gone.”

“Thank you, Rhett.”

He smiles. “Anytime.”

We part ways, and I drive home, dropping off the keyless-entry device to Malcolm before I go into my house. I lock up and pull the blinds in case Luce decides to skip class and stop by.

I take a shower and change into comfy clothes before going downstairs and sitting facing the window. I can only just about see out through the tiny gaps I left in the slats, but that’s the way I want it. I need to be able to see others before they see me.

It’s mom who gets home first from shopping with her friends, and now I have to pretend even harder. Dad’s golfing, so he’ll likely be gone for ages still.

She kicks off her shoes and closes the front door. “Are you okay? You’re home early. Are you feeling ill or just a little overwhelmed about leaving school?” she asks.

I shrug. “Early day, no one wanted to stay after what happened to Ruthie,” I say, knowing she’s aware of the schedule change at school and won’t question me. “I can’t wait for college, though.”

She flops down on the sofa and kicks her legs up on the coffee table at the same time there’s a knock on the front door.

I jolt, almost snapping my neck as I look up so fast.

Mom frowns and mutters, “Sam. What’s he doing here?”

Outside, I can see the police car parked.

My insides clench, stomach churning as she opens the door.

“Sam, is everything okay?” Mom asks, and I can tell by the tone in her voice that she’s worrying something might be wrong with Dad.

There’s a pained expression on Sam’s face. “Hi, Claire. I’m sorry, but I need to ask Marley some questions…down at the station.”