“I worked as a waitress in the very same diner I was working in when you were … stolen from me.”
She’s shaking now, and I can see that this conversation is pushing her to the edges of her emotional limits. The thing is, if I can get this out of her, I might be able to save Parrish. It’s absolutely vital that I keep her talking; this is my chance. The longer Parrish is missing, the harder it will be to get her to talk to me so frankly. She’s already starting to crumble. Yes, she’s been pulling herself back together, but how long until she breaks? We all have our breaking points, whether we care to admit to that or not, but losing a second child after just recovering the one you lost for fourteen years? That would break anyone—even a big shot bestselling author like Tess Vanguard.
“Anyway, I was working there and attending Whitehall on a scholarship. Justin … He and I met at school, and he asked where I worked. He started coming there daily after class, just to talk to me.” She smiles a little at the memory, but it’s tinged with bitterness. “He used to leave me hundred-dollar tips. Not just once in a while, but every time.”
I can’t tell if I’m supposed to be impressed by that or not. Maybe, in some circumstances, I would be. But knowing Justin Prior the way that I do now? It comes across as patronizing, controlling, and obsessive.
“Last Chance Diner and Grill,” I say, realization making my skin crawl. “That’s where he proposed to you, too.”
Tess startles like she’s been slapped, blinking at me in surprise.
“How do you know the name of the diner?” she asks me, but I can’t exactly say, ‘hey, remember your maid, JJ? Well, Chasm and I picked up her body in a wooden box from that location. That was just before we shoved the box into his trunk, bungeed it down, and delivered it to her rapist/murderer’s house.’
Yeah no.
“You told me last night that the diner in Fleeing Under a Summer Rain was based on a place in North Sultan. Didn’t take much internet sleuthing to find it.”
My explanation mollifies her slightly, and she sighs, reaching up to pull pins from her coiffed hair. It tumbles over her shoulders in an espresso-colored wave.
“Well, you’re right,” she says, giving a slight smile. I’m so excited by this turn of events that I start to tremble, forcing my hands beneath the covers to hide my reaction. “He gave me a ring as a tip one day.” She gives a harsh laugh, reaching up to rub at her forehead. “Can you even believe that? The arrogance of it?” She shakes her head and sighs. “But that’s one of the things I liked most about him. He just dropped a million-dollar diamond onto the bill and looked at me with that charming smile of his. I was sold.”
Tess gives me a look that I can’t quite interpret, half tender, half admonishing.
“I was still a senior in high school. Actually, I was still a senior in high school when I got pregnant with you.” My cheeks flush, even though I had nothing to do with that decision whatsoever. Somehow, I still feel guilty for ruining Tess’ last year of high school. “That’s why I’ve been so hard on the sex thing. Kwang-seon, he’s a nice boy. I should know,” she says, giving a little laugh. “I practically raised him. Seamus, he’s not a bad man, but he never could cope after Ji-hyun died.” Tess pulls her hair over one shoulder and, offering me another smile, starts to braid it in a similar fashion to mine. “I just don’t want you to end up like me.”
“A millionaire author married to a plastic surgeon set to inherit billions?” I query back, and she lifts both brows. I shouldn’t be a tease right now. This is a serious conversation, but I can’t help it. I was never meant to live in eternal darkness. I’m somebody who craves the light. Fun, easy conversations, lazy afternoons, movies with laughter and popcorn. That’s me.
“Married too young, made a mother too young, lacking in options. That’s what I mean.” She finishes her braid and then points at me. “You’re funny though.” I give her a small grin, but it’s lacking in presence. I need to steer the conversation in a different direction.
Although … I don’t dislike the one we’re having now. I once thought that having a heart-to-heart with Tess Vanguard was my worst nightmare. Guess losing the guy I’m in love with to a serial killer has really put things into perspective for me. This isn’t nearly as bad as I expected. Actually, I’d love to know everything there is to know about Tess’ backstory, her relationship with Justin, all of it.
