Chapter 13

I had been back in Willow Creek for a week, and everything appeared to be going as usual. But Henry Monroe's shadow followed me no matter how much I tried to lose myself in lesson preparations and homework.

I ignored the pile of ungraded homework in front of me as I sat at my computer and read through yet another story regarding Henry's business transactions. I was drawn farther into the mystery with each click and each new finding.

My focus was disrupted by my phone buzzing. I scowled as I looked down at the screen. Another missed call from Jack. He tried to contact me dozens, if not more, times in the last week, and I had lost track. All of his voicemails had been the same: "Call me back, Emily." I had stayed away from him, but this is serious. Whatever new warning he had for me, I wasn't prepared to hear it.

With a sigh, I set the phone on the desk, face down.

"Miss Clark?" I was brought back to reality by a tiny voice.

Ella was standing in front of me as I looked up, her worried eyes wide. She looked anxiously at the clock while holding her arithmetic book in her hands.

I hurriedly closed my laptop and smiled at Ella, saying, "Sorry, Ella. What's going on?"

She whispered, "You haven't said anything, but we're supposed to start math. Is everything all right?"

I became aware that I had totally lost track of time, and guilt swept over me.

I got up and responded, "Of course," trying to seem cheerful. "Let's begin the lesson for today."

I strolled over to the whiteboard and started writing out the equations for the day.

I was worn out by the time break arrived. Mentally, not physically. Trying to keep Henry and the danger I was in out of my mind, I had spent the entire morning focusing on my kids. However, it was failing.

While the kids left the classroom for lunch, I leaned back in my chair and massaged my temples. I knew I couldn't continue like this. It was all going to catch up with me sooner or later.

I looked at the screen as my phone buzzed once more.

18 missed calls from Jack Turner.

I leaned back in my chair and moaned. He couldn't leave me alone for five minutes; what was so important? Even though he had previously advised me to avoid investigating Henry's past, I couldn't ignore it.

I ignored the nagging nervousness in my chest and placed the phone down again. Whatever Jack was trying to tell me, I wasn't prepared to face it.

The sensation of being watched returned to me that afternoon while I was standing outdoors observing the children during recess. It had been happening on and off since I returned to Willow Creek.

I looked around the schoolyard, where the kids were having fun on the jungle gym and swings. As usual, everything appeared to be as usual.

I was about to dismiss it, to convince myself that I was simply being paranoid once more, when I saw someone standing near the playground's chain-link fence.

A man.

Tall, with sunglasses and a dark coat. He was just watching me while keeping his hands in his pockets. He wasn't looking at the kids. He wasn't doing anything but staring at me.

The blood drained from my face, and my heart skipped a beat. Was it the same New York man? The person who had previously followed me?

The other teachers were busy with their own pupils, laughing and joking as if nothing was wrong, so I glanced around, thinking someone else had noticed him. I was the only one who appeared to notice the man.

I felt a wave of panic as I realized he was not leaving. He waited.

"Miss Clark?" My attention was drawn to Ella's voice.

I forced myself to look down at Ella, who was extending a jump rope. "Can you help me with this?"

I tried to maintain a steady voice while forcing a smile. "Of course."

I dropped to my knees to assist her with the rope, but my gaze kept returning to the man standing by the gate. He remained there, continuing watching.

My thoughts were racing as I rushed the children back inside as the bell rung to announce the break was over. I had to find out who he was and why he was here. Above all else, though, I had to know if I was in danger.

I hurriedly packed up my stuff after school since I was anxious to leave the building and return to my apartment's safety.

I sensed a presence behind me as I made my way toward the exit via the lonely hallways, someone approaching a bit too closely. I sped up, breathing more rapidly as I heard footsteps bouncing off the walls. They were after me, whomever it was.

As I turned the corner, the man I had seen before was standing right in front of me.

Like a lightning strike, fear swept through me. I came to a halt, my heart pounding. "Who are you?" With a quivering voice, I demanded.

The man took a while to respond. He merely observed me while standing there. Then he stepped forward carefully.

He said in a low, threatening voice, "You must stop digging. You're getting too close to things that don't concern you."

With my heart thumping in my chest, I stepped back. "What are you talking about?"

As though examining me, the man tilted his head. "Emily, you have no business knowing about Henry Monroe's history. And if you keep pushing, you'll regret it."

My mouth became parched. "How do you know my name?"

There was no warmth in his smile. "I know everything about you. And trust me, you don't want to know the things I do."

Despite the panic gnawing at my throat, I made myself remain composed. "Is that a threat?"

"It's a warning," he stated. "You don't know who you're dealing with. Walk away while you still can."

He turned and left, vanishing into the late afternoon light before I could reply. I stood still, my mind whirling. I was so restless to call Jack and let him know what had happened that my hands were shaking as I took out my telephone.

But then something kept me from dialing his number. I felt shudders down my spine as I recalled the man's warning.

You don't know who you're dealing with.