Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED COAT
The first warning arrived at Bellweather.
Christa had driven up to inspect the greenhouse.
The afternoon was cold.
The trees were nearly bare.
She parked beside the old stone wall and walked toward the house.
Then she saw someone standing near the greenhouse.
A woman.
Red coat.
Dark hair.
She turned when Christa approached.
“Can I help you?” Christa called.
The woman didn't answer.
Instead, she hurried toward a parked car.
Christa followed a few steps.
“Excuse me!”
The woman stopped.
Turned.
And said something that made Christa's blood run cold.
“Your mother should have burned it.”
Christa froze.
“What?”
The woman looked toward the greenhouse.
“Whatever she left you.”
Then she climbed into the car and drove away.
Christa stood motionless.
Her phone rang.
Leo.
She answered.
“Christa?”
Her voice trembled.
“Someone was here.”
His tone changed.
“Who?”
“A woman.”
“What did she want?”
Christa looked toward the greenhouse.
“She said my mother should have burned something.”
Silence.
Then Leo asked:
“Are you safe?”
“I think so.”
“Go back to your car. Lock the doors.”
She hesitated.
“Leo—”
“Please.”
The word surprised her.
Not an order.
A request.
Christa returned to her car.
May you like
And waited.
Because whatever her mother had hidden, someone else was looking for it.
