The Liar Next Door by Nicola Marsh

Sixty

Saylor

I’m at my usual spot at the front window, spying on Ruston and the rest of my neighbors, stressing over my money turning up, when I see Celeste. She’s stuffing overnight bags into the trunk of her SUV and glancing over her shoulder repeatedly, like she’s being followed.

Her behavior is odd and when I see her run up her front steps and return holding Violette and Luna’s hands in each of hers, it’s even odder.

Where could she be taking the girls at six thirty? They should be eating dinner or winding down before bedtime. Then again, I know nothing about kids or their evening routines.

But why the bags?

I’m relieved the girls don’t look particularly upset, though Luna keeps glancing at her house with a puzzled frown. When they get to the car, Celeste releases their hands. Vi climbs in the back seat but Luna balks. She tugs at Celeste’s sleeve and points to her house. Celeste appears panicked for a moment and almost bundles Luna into the car.

That’s when I make a move. I open the front door and call out to her. Either Celeste doesn’t hear me or she chooses to ignore me because she slides into the driver’s seat, guns the engine and tears up the street with a squeal of tires.

Unease ripples down my spine and I give a little shake. Something about what I saw jars and I should tell Frankie what I’ve seen. But I saw her leave earlier with a suitcase, and Andre only dropped off Luna at Celeste’s not that long ago, so he’s probably the logical person to call.

He doesn’t pick up and I’m not surprised. He ignores most of my calls these days. When the dial tone stops and diverts to voicemail, I leave a message.

“Hey, Andre, it’s me. I thought you should know I just saw Celeste tear out of here like a madwoman, and she had Luna with her. I’m assuming she’s minding her while you and Frankie are out, but there was something off about her. And she had bags in the trunk. Anyway, call me.”

I barely hang up when my cell rings and it’s him.

“Hey, did you get my message—”

“Quit bugging me,” he yells so loud I have to move the phone away from my ear. “Stop calling me. Stop leaving me messages. Just stop.”

I can’t. I won’t. Not until he pays me the money, but that’s not why I’m calling this time. “Listen, I—”

“I don’t have to listen to anything you say, Saylor. I’m done. I’ve had a gutful. Why can’t you leave me the hell alone?”

I hate that he’s jumped to conclusions and won’t give me a chance to explain, and I’m tempted to hang up on him. Then again, I have been hassling him. Trying to get him alone when we socialize. Calling incessantly. Making demands. But he insists on ignoring me, and it won’t end well.

“Before you yell at me some more, I’m calling about Luna.”

“What about her?” His tone instantly shifts to one of concern and I like that he’s a good dad.

“I’m assuming you and Frankie are out and Celeste’s minding her?”

“Yeah? So?”

“It could be nothing, but I saw her bundle the girls into the car a few minutes ago and drive off like she had demons on her tail.”

“Maybe she had an errand to run,” he says, sounding uncertain.

“She had overnight bags in the trunk.”

“What the…” He swears. “I’ll reach out to Celeste. You didn’t call Frankie, did you?”

“I said I wouldn’t, and I haven’t. Yet,” I add, as a threat I’ve held over him since I first moved in next door to this infuriating man who turned my world upside down. Between him and Ruston, little wonder I’m a mess.

“Thanks for the heads up on Luna. As for your petty attempt at blackmail, save it. I’m done playing games. I’m telling Frankie the truth.”

Before I can say anything else he hangs up. He’s lying. He won’t tell Frankie a goddamn thing. He’s gutless. He would’ve already revealed everything to her when I first moved in if that was the case. He’s bluffing and I don’t appreciate it, but I’m glad I called. From his reaction, he knows nothing about Celeste taking his daughter on an overnight jaunt. In which case, he has every right to be worried.

Celeste has been nothing but nice to me and while she’s reserved, I respect her. She’s good with her daughter and has been pleasant to Lloyd and me. For all I know, Frankie called her and asked her to bring the girls to her, but I doubt it. Andre wouldn’t have sounded so panicked.

Whatever happens, I’ve done the right thing for once.