Claimed he was just concerned about local rumors, but refused to explain where he heard those rumors.”

Below that, on a separate line, Brandon had written:

“Austin may genuinely be trying to help solve this, but I need to be absolutely certain before I involve Hannah.”

Paige took the paper from my trembling hands and read the lines quickly by the light of her phone screen.

“He didn’t actually accuse Austin of being part of the scheme,” she pointed out softly.

“No, he didn’t,” I agreed.