"Cassie Patterson, age 17, was last seen at her local fair with friends after she stated she was going to grab a quick drink. She was wearing a blue romper and black sandals. If you have any-"
The television was cut off, followed by a faint laugh.
"Emily," she chirped, "you shouldn't be watching that. Instead, how about you help me in the kitchen? I could use your help."
Looking up at her through my lashes, my blood boiled as my heart raced in my chest. Inside, I was throwing a ragging fit, using the lamp to render her unconscious, and racing out the front door. But I knew I couldn't. She would have me pinned to the floor in an instant.
I gave a simple nodded, picking at my shirt sleeve. She smiled, turned, and walked out the room. Once she was a safe distance, I let out a breath I never realized I was holding.
"My name's Cassie, not Emily."
**
At her local fair, Cassie gets whisked away by a father and mother looking to repair their broken family. How long can she make it?
Adele knows she witnessed a murder - what she doesn't know is just how personal it is.
*****
A girl was brutally murdered in the basement of a sorority house in spring 2011. Adele Theroux thinks she saw the killer - and the killer definitely saw her. What she doesn't know is why this all happened and who this guy is. As she tries to solve the mystery from a distance while in witness protection, the connections keep getting weirder and more personal. Might she be able to relate to the killer in a way that no one else can? And what does that mean about her own psyche?
*2019 Watty Award for Mystery/Thriller*
[[word count: 50,000-60,000 words]]
Cover designed by April Alforque