The headlights of a third police cruiser swept over me, casting my shadow long against the gravel.

Ana looked at me, her eyes wide with concern.

“Alana?” she asked. “Who was that?”

I couldn’t speak.

The voice had sounded exactly like my mother.

I stood frozen on the gravel driveway, the phone still clutched in my hand.

The red taillights of Vale’s car disappeared over the ridge, leaving nothing but the sound of the wind.

The sheriff’s deputies were running to their cars, sirens beginning to wail.

But my mind was entirely focused on the dead line.

The past wasn’t finished with me yet.

The secrets of the Darcy family were deeper than I had ever imagined.

I took a deep breath and looked at Ana.

“We have to go to the clinic,” I said.

“Now.”

She didn’t ask questions.

She unlocked the passenger door and I climbed in, the leather seats cold against my legs.

As she started the engine, the screen of my phone lit up once more.

Another message was coming through.

It was an image file.