Nowhere Girl (42 page)
Authors: Susan Strecker
Having given the house to Greg and not wanting to live with David and Gabby, I moved in with Chandler and Odion, took the guest room across the hall from Mads's room and let her paint my toenails a different shade of pink every day.
The DA charged Brady with failure to report a death, an unclassified misdemeanor whose only penalty was a thousand-dollar fine. Despite Brady turning himself in and telling the police he was responsible for Savannah's death, there was no evidence that he knew that she had autoerotic asphyxiation devices or had knowledge that she was going to use them.
Patrick got me into the courtroom when Brady was charged. He told me it was no big deal and, after writing a check, Brady would be done with the proceedings in less than ten minutes, but something told me I had to be there. I had to see Brady. During that final court appearance, after Brady learned he was finally officially free, I approached him, touching him, pressing my lips to his face, thanking him for loving my sister, and whispering that no one blamed him. He stood silently embracing me, holding me so hard I couldn't breathe. When he kissed me so gently on the lips I thought maybe I'd imagined it, I knew I'd never see him again.
After it was over, Gabby and David drove me to Chandler's, but we stopped by the post office so I could get my mail. There was one letter in the box, and I knew before I turned the key that it was from Brady. It was dated a few days before. Having a second chance, he told me, meant he couldn't waste it. The rest of his life had to mean something. He ended the letter simply by saying he was moving someplace where he could make a difference. That could have been anywhereâHarlem, rural West Virginia, or even right here in New Jersey.
As I stepped out of the post office, I could see Gabby and David parked in a loading zone waiting for me, but I sat on the steps and brought the letter to my chest. I hadn't known it until that moment, but Savannah coming back to me in dreams, leading me here, to this place, had finally set me free. Brady's guilt stopped him from coming forward sixteen years before, and it prevented us from knowing what really happened. But now, thanks to the dreams that led me to the prison, to Brady, and eventually to the truth, I was finally free. I was free of the hold my sister had had on me not only when she was alive but in the years since she'd been gone. I was free of the unhappiness of my life. And I was free to find someone to love. I reached in my pocket, pulled out my phone, and dialed a number. While I waited for Patrick to answer, I noticed the leaves were turning brilliant colors, the sky was a vivid magenta, and the evening felt optimistic as if everything were brand new again.
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If not for Lisa Gallagher, I'd still be wondering what I am going to be when I grow up. Lisa, not only are you a fantastic agent and friend but you're also a cheerleader, a picker-upper-and-duster-off-er, and the one who calms me when I'm about to freak and who makes me giggle when I feel like crying. Every day I am thankful for you.
Suzanne Kingsbury, you are the most fabulous development editor ever and an even better friend. You shaped
Nowhere Girl
from a big, gelatinous mess into a pretty, pretty piece of art. You always go way above and beyond, and I'd be lost if not for you. I hope I never have to write a book without you.
Thinking I'd written a never-to-be-guessed whodunit, I gave a draft of
Nowhere Girl
to my BFF, Sasha Sanford. She called me about forty pages into it and shouted that she'd figured out who had offed poor Savannah. Unfortunately, she was right. Because of Sasha, I asked a friend from college, John McGrath, a criminal defense attorney, to give me some ideas on how to kill someone and get away with it. It was not how I'd thought our first conversation in twenty years would go, but it was enlightening and entertaining just the same. Thank you to Sasha and John for helping me create such a fun ending. Well, it was fun for me, probably not so much for Savannah.
I am fortunate to be publishing my second book with the venerable St. Martin's Press and Thomas Dunne Books team. Publishers Tom Dunne of Thomas Dunne Books and Sally Richardson of St. Martin's Press are the best. Laurie Chittenden is a fantastic editor, and I'm grateful to work with her. The entire team helped birth this book that started out as a thought when I heard a song in my car. You all have worked tirelessly to bring
Nowhere Girl
to life. Thanks to Pete Wolverton, Brant Janeway, Emily Walters, Ervin Serrano, Angela Craft, Lisa Senz, and my publicist, Katie Bassel. Huge thanks to associate editor Melanie Fried for being on top of everything. You make my job easy.
My good friend and brilliant doctor Patrick Doherty once again was instrumental in helping me get all the medical stuff correct. Pat, I'm in awe of your knowledge, and, even more so, your patience. Thank you for your friendship and time spent answering questions. May I forever write books that involve medicine, so you can never get rid of me. As always, Pat is wicked awesome. Any medical mistakes are all mine.
Police officer Dave Chasteen is not only dedicated to protecting the public but is also a much cherished friend. Another lifetime ago, Dave and I worked together and had way too much fun. Many years after I left corporate life, Dave still had time to answer endless questions about DNA, crime scene procedures, and police protocol. I hope I kill off more characters in future books so I get to talk with Dave about the best way to do it. Dave, I adore you. Any mistakes about blood, cops, and trace evidence are on me.
Nowhere Girl
was not the first title I chose for this book. Nor was it the second, third, or fourth. But it is the right one. I spent angst-filled weeks trying to come up with something perfect. Lucky for me, I am surrounded by many amazing people who were instrumental in helping me. Suzanne Kingsbury; Lisa Gallagher; Laurie Chittenden; my husband, Kurt Strecker; my kids, Cooper and Ainsley; Sasha Sanford; Erika Celentano; Carolyn Crehan; Erin Dayton; Sarah Cody Rector; Sarah Wadle; Dave Dyson; and John Peterson, I am grateful for your help. I would be drooling in a corner without you. And thanks to David “Short Legs” Loughborough for your help.
A huge and belated shout-out to my Drew University poetry professor, Bob Ready. Without your encouragement in college and in the years after, I'm not sure that I would be a novelist.
My family made this book happen. My mother, Nancy Moroso, has spent a lifetime supporting me in whatever I wanted to do. My grandmother, Ruth Boyd, always asks how my books are coming. My step-dad, Nick Nichols, takes great care of my mom and grandmother so I don't have to worry about them. And my in-laws, Marie and Lou Strecker, love me like I'm their own and make me feel like a rock star.
If not for the love, patience, and encouragement of my husband, Kurt, and my kids, Cooper and Ainsley, I have no doubt that I would not be a novelist. The writing process is often overwhelming and never easy. But Kurt, Coop, and Ainsley keep me going by making me believe in myself. In the time that it took to write
Nowhere Girl
, Kurt was always ready with a glass of wine for each of us and an endless supply of words I couldn't think of and answers to which sentence or phrase sounded best. To my three favorite people, I love you madly.
Right up there with my family are my fans. A thank-you to everyone who has written letters and e-mails and come to book signings to show your support. You are the reason I do this. Peace and love.
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Susan Strecker
resides in Essex, Connecticut, with her husband and two children. She is the author of
Night Blindness
, an Indie Next pick.
Nowhere Girl
is her second novel. You can sign up for email updates
here
.
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ALSO BY
SUSAN STRECKER
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CONTENTS
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.
An imprint of St. Martin's Press.
NOWHERE GIRL.
Copyright © 2016 by Susan Strecker. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
Cover design by Laura Klynstra
Cover photograph by Irene Lamprakou / Trevillion Images
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-04285-9 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-9149-4 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466891494
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