Page 53 of Forever Dead

Eric climbed down and brushed his palms against his jeans. "How are you feeling today?"

“Fine. Going for my walk.”

His expression changed.

“I’ve got some bad news,” he said.

Selena waited.

“Miss Marsh died.”

The words still hurt, even when expected.

Eric studied her for a moment. “You already heard.”

“Yeah.”

“Who told you?”

“Connor.”

Eric nodded slowly. “There’s not much information doing the rounds yet. People are saying she was found at home.”

Selena adjusted her grip on the cane.

“What happened?” Eric asked.

“I don’t know.”

He gave her a doubtful expression. “Selena.”

“I’m not working.”

“I didn’t say you were.”

“You were about to.”

Eric folded his arms. “You always know more than you’re supposed to.”

“Not this time.”

She started across the parking lot.

Behind her, Eric called, “Don’t hold out on me.”

Selena lifted one hand without turning. “I’m not involved.”

The edge of the lot gave way to the narrow path leading toward the woods. Her pace settled into the familiar sequence the therapist had drilled into her. Cane. Good leg. Injured leg. Repeat.

Cooler air moved beneath the trees.

Autumn had stripped more leaves from the upper branches since her last walk, opening patches of pale sky above the trail. Selena stopped before the ground became too uneven and drew a slow breath.

Curtis Halle stayed with her.

So did Eleanor.

Somewhere behind her, Eric was still hanging Halloween decorations. Farther into town, Connor and Arnold were working the same name from another direction, whether they realized it yet or not.