Read Chapter 10: — THE MAN ON THE HILL

Daniel ran past the Hayes house at dawn.

Noah spotted him on the security camera.

“Who is that?”

Emma looked once.

“No idea.”

“Liar.”

Daniel stopped beneath the old ash tree and stretched.

Then, absurdly, began shadowboxing.

Noah stared.

“He’s brilliant.”

“He’s ridiculous.”

“He works for the council, right?”

“Do your maths.”

Noah grinned.

Emma sent Daniel a message.

Please stop running past my house.

He replied:

I was on a public road.

The tree is on our land.

Then I respectfully admired the tree from the public road.

She tried not to smile.

Please don’t involve yourself with my family. Gavin has already hurt you enough.

This time his reply took longer.

You do not get to decide what risks I am allowed to take.

Emma read it twice.

Then put the phone face down.

Because the sentence frightened her for a reason that had nothing to do with Gavin.