But it had felt good to dump her story in the doctor’s lap. Ava had been slow to open up, but she’d regurgitated her stress from the shooting and her despair from Jayne’s suicide attempt. Once the gate to her memories had lifted, Ava hadn’t stopped. She was matter-of-fact about the shooting. It’d happened; she’d handled it. But her stories and complaints about her sister were wide and varied, sometimes making her cry and other times making her angry. The doctor had barely gotten a word in. When ten were minutes left, she’d finally held up a hand for Ava to slow down, and asked a few pointed questions.

She’d suggested Ava request more time off.

Ha! Ava took a long sip of her iced coffee. Sticking her nose into the shootings was currently keeping her sane.

She’d suggested Ava allow her to prescribe some medication. A low dose.

She hated the idea of medication. She’d watched Jayne try too many medications, but she’d promised the doctor she’d think about it. The thought was nearly overwhelming, so she’d tucked it out of sight. Perhaps that’s a sign I need something? That I’m unable to process decisions?

She leaned against her vehicle outside the coffee shop, letting the sun bake her shoulders and head. Feeling eyes on the back of her neck, she turned around and studied the parking lot. A few people roamed the lot, heading to their cars with their cups of caffeine in hand. Nobody met her gaze.

Am I paranoid now? Flustered, she unlocked her vehicle and worried that her leash on her brain was slipping. Physical movement was what she had used in the past to stay in control. Mason liked to run, but Ava’s knees twinged in a bad way when she tried. She’d rather hike and soak in the scenery. Or go to yoga and shift her brain into neutral as she felt her muscles stretch and complain. A little pain sounded good right now; it’d help her stay focused.

Don’t give up your usual schedule.

Well, she’d gotten her usual coffee. She was going back to work as soon as her vacation was over. Tonight was her evening yoga class. The one she was always relieved to attend to break up the workweek. Typically she attended twice a week, and she hadn’t planned to go tonight. She’d received an email saying that the center had reopened along with the mall and classes were back on schedule. She assumed they’d suffered a drop in attendance from the shooting, but it wouldn’t last. People would return after time made their memories fade.

The image of Misty’s bleeding leg popped into her brain. That memory would take a while to fade.

Am I ready to return to class?

She liked her instructor and hated to think that he might feel bad that people avoided his class because of the mall shooting.

If she could commit to getting her daily coffee, she could commit to going to yoga. It was a step in the right direction.

33

He watched the young man pace in front of the Starbucks where he’d requested they meet, glancing up at every person who approached the building. Eagerness rolled off of him.

Good. It was easiest when they were anxious to please. He’d found the nature of the event appealed to men in their twenties. The secrecy, the surprise, the reward. He’d created the perfect vehicle for achieving his goals. It’d been simple once he’d thought it through. Finding people eager to help and leaving no record of that search were the keys that made his plan perfect.

“Simon?” he asked the young man as he approached, holding out his hand.

“Yes, Travis? Great to meet you finally.” Simon’s height and build were perfect. He hadn’t fudged his stats.

“Thanks for your interest in helping us out. I know being available on such short notice makes it difficult for some people.” He watched Simon’s gaze go to the scars on the side of his neck that his hair didn’t quite hide. The young man stared for a split second, swallowed, and regained his composure as he went back to direct eye contact.

How many times have I watched people go through the same motions?

Simon grinned, the scars mentally set aside. “But that’s the nature of the situation and what gives it the thrill. You guys prepare the absolute best you can, getting ready for every possible outcome, but you rely on the oblivious star of the show to perform as you hope. It’s awesome.”

Yes, yes it is. “I’m glad you understand.” Travis gestured at an outdoor table. “Let’s sit for a bit, then we can walk the location.”

“So it’s definitely happening here?” Simon asked.

“I’m ninety percent certain. Our backup location is the Rivertown Mall. If she doesn’t follow her usual routine, I’ll call you. You can hustle over there on short notice, right? We won’t have the chance to walk through the routine on that site, but I can talk you through it on the phone if it comes to that. Essentially everything will be the same as here.”

“You can get all your cameras set up that fast?” Simon asked.

Travis gave a confident grin. “My crew is amazing. They love this work and bust their asses to make every event a success. The excitement of seeing the final payoff is like sex for them.”

Simon laughed.

“You watched our YouTube channel, right?”

“Shit yes. Those videos are awesome. I can’t wait to be a part of something like that.”

He pulled a sheet of paper out of a thick manila envelope. “If you really want to do this, here are the stipulations I mentioned in our phone calls.” He lay the sheet in front of Simon, who studied it intently. “First and most important is your silence on the subject until after we finish filming. Once we’re done, you can tell everyone you want and even mention it on social media. It’s good exposure for us. But until that day, there’s no telling your girlfriend, your parents, or your guy friends.”