Page 4 of Shattered By the Currents

It wasn’t the same town she remembered. But then, her entire life had been flipped upside down, so why should this town be any different?

It didn’t take long to reach the community center. It was right on the edge of the patch of grass that held the gazebo. Around the green square sat businesses like The Wandering Bloom, which sold coffee and books and flowers. The Pancake Bar, which had the best pancakes she’d ever tasted, although she’d only treated herself to them once. A small grocery and half a dozen other businesses.

She parked beside the community center. The second she climbed from her car, her gaze caught on a group of men heading toward Bloom.

For a second, she forgot about the call. She didn’t even hear the call-waiting song that was still on speaker. Because Connor was part of the group. And for the second time that morning, he looked right at her.

But this time, he smiled. And that small gesture made her tummy give a funny flutter.

She offered a small fraction of a smile in return before quickly looking away.

She could count on one hand the number of times they’d spoken. But there was something about him that made her feel things she hadn’t felt for a long time. Good things.

She slipped her key into the door of the community center, but when she turned it, there was no click. It was already unlocked. What the…

She stopped just inside at the sight of Lottie Fuller in the center of the large hall, setting up chairs.

Of course.

The older woman looked up. “Oh. Raven. You’re here. Sometimes you’re late so I wasn’t sure if you’d make it on time. I decided to make a start.”

She’d never been late before. “How did you get in?”

“I have a key.”

Raven’s brows flickered. “Why?”

The woman had wanted this job. She hadn’t gotten it. She shouldnothave a key.

“Ferris gave it to me.” Lottie shot a glance at Raven’s phone. “On hold for something?”

“Lottie, you shouldn’t be letting yourself in.”

Shetsked. “I know what I’m doing, dear. Unlike you, I’ve lived in this town my entire life. Don’t you worry. You go take your call.”

Frustration crawled around her chest, but then the music ended and a voice sounded over the line. “Blue Bran Bank, you’re speaking with Ramona. How can I help you?”

“Yes. Hi.”Calm, Raven. She rushed across the hall into the office at the back. “I’m calling because my checking account is empty. But it shouldn’t be. I have money.”

There was the distant sound of typing. “I can take a look. Can I have your full name, date of birth and address?”

Hinges creaked as she pulled her office door open then closed and relayed the information.

“Okay, Miss Price, I can see the account.”

“So you can see that my money’s been taken?”

“Yes. Someone withdrew the balance.”

Raven paused, something about the woman’s voice making her stomach curl. It was void of any sense of urgency. No,I’m so sorry, it looks like a mistake’s been made.

“Withdrawn by who?I’mthe account holder. No one should be able to withdraw money but me.”

“Actually, the account is linked.”

“Linked?”

“Connected. To another account, for a man with the name of Alexander Cross.”