It's been five years since the sudden disappearance of Cora Cadigan's mother. Five years since the case was closed before it even began.
In the final summer before the end of high school, Cora knows it's her last opportunity to find the answers she...
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"What now?"
I'm shivering despite the heat from the car's heater. Abby and I are out the front of New River supermarket, our eyes cast straight ahead. Into the void.
"I don't know," I whisper. "Hopefully... hopefully they get charged for—for what they did."
Abby leans back against the headrest, shuddering as she lets her eyes flutter closed. "I need to call Max. But I don't think—I don't think I can."
I nod numbly, staring out at the illuminated sign to my left. Two of the letters spelling supermarket have faded out, leaving behind a dark backdrop, disappearing into the night.
"They'd know by now," I state, staring down at the black screen of my phone. I'd used it minutes ago to call Tea, telling her to warn Rhys. "The police would have arrived."
Even if we aren't in the best place, Rhys doesn't deserve this at all. Libby's death has haunted him for three years, unable to know what monstrous act had caused her to lose her life. To understand who could have taken her away. Only to realise they'd been right there all along. Two people who Rhys has known for years. That his mother has trusted.
Abby sniffles, unbuckling her seatbelt to reach back for her handbag. She reaches inside for her phone and I expect her to turn it on, but she just stares at it.
"When Libby died," Abby whispers, unable to look up from her lap, "it was the second time in my life where I felt like the world was an evil place. That no one was looking out for anyone and it was just this—this life you had to live unprotected."
I wait patiently for her to continue, knowing that she needs a minute to collect her thoughts.
When we'd made it to the station, Abby had stalked towards Officer Peterson snoring at the front desk. She slammed her phone down on the counter, mascara-coated tears falling down her cheeks. She'd barely been audible about what we had found. I'd stepped in apprehensively, telling him about needing to make an official statement.
They'd made a copy of the footage and had let Abby keep her phone. They told us not to go far, in case they needed us for further questioning.
We know that the video wouldn't be enough to charge them, but it's a start. Hopefully, Libby will receive the justice she deserves.
