THE ACCUSATION
They didn’t go to the police station at eight.
Instead, Maya drove to Hartford. To Rachel Bennett’s apartment. Rachel was surprised to see them, but she didn’t ask questions. She made coffee. Gave them blankets. Listened.
When Maya finished, Rachel was pale.
“The police think you burned down his office?”
“They haven’t said it outright. But they will.”
“Why would Dr. Vance set his own office on fire?”
“To destroy evidence. To frame me. To make me look unstable.”
Rachel looked at Danny. “And your daughter? What about school?”
Danny shrugged. “School isn’t exactly my priority right now.”
Rachel turned back to Maya. “What do you need?”
“A place to stay. A few days. I need to figure out my next move.”
“You can stay here as long as you need.”
Maya hugged her.
Then she opened her laptop.
The news was already spreading.
“Fire Destroys Therapist’s Office; Reporter Questioned.”
Her name was in the article. Her photograph. The details of her arrest for breaking into Kaela’s apartment.
She was being painted as unstable. Obsessed. Dangerous.
She recognized the fingerprints.
Leah Park.
Vance’s ally. The detective who had arrested her. The woman who had stood in his office and discussed how close Maya was getting.
Maya picked up her phone.
Called the Barrow Falls Gazette.
Her editor answered.
“Maya. Where are you?”
“Somewhere safe. Don’t ask for details.”
“The police are looking for you. They’re saying you set the fire.”
“They’re lying.”
“I know. But I can’t publish that without proof.”
“Then give me time to find it.”
“How much time?”
“I don’t know.”
A pause.
“Be careful, Maya. These people—whoever they are—they’re not playing games.”
“I know.”
She hung up.
She looked at Danny.
“We need to find Kaela Morgan. Before he does.”