Speaking in Tongues

Megan snagged two battered bicycles from the rack in front of the inn and started away from town.
    “Which way?” she called.
    He pointed and they mounted up.
    Despite the opposing foot traffic and the astonishing heat, they cycled fast along the cracked asphalt path straight into the dense, fragrant jungle, standing on the pedals, hollering and laughing, racing each other, as if every moment counted, as if they had many, many hours of missed exploration to make up for.

XO
    Jeffery Deaver
    Available in hardcover from Simon & Schuster
    Turn the page for a preview of XO . . . .

Subject: Re: You’re the Best!!!
    From: [email protected]
    To: [email protected]
    2 January 10:32 a.m.
    Hey there,
    Edwin—
    Thanks for your email! I’m so glad you liked my latest album! Your support means the world to me. Be sure you go to my website and sign up to get my newsletter and learn about new releases and upcoming concerts, and don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
    And keep an eye out for the mail. I sent you that autographed photo you requested!
    XO,
    Kayleigh
    *   *   *
    Subject: Unbelievable!!!!!
    From: [email protected]
    To: [email protected]
    3 September 5:10 a.m.
    Hi, Kayleigh:
    I am totally blown away. I’m rendered speechless. And, you know me prettygood by now—for me to be speechless, that’s something!! Anyway, here’s the story: I downloaded your new album last night and listened to “Your Shadow.” Whoahhh! It’s without doubt the best song I have ever heard. I mean of anything ever written. I even like it better than “It’s Going to Be Different This Time.” I’ve told you nobody’s ever expressed how I feel about loneliness and life and well everything better than you. And that song does that totally. But more important I can see what you’re saying, your plea for help. It’s all clear now. Don’t worry. You’re not alone, Kayleigh!!
    I’ll be your shadow. Forever.
    XO, Edwin
    *   *   *
    Subject: Fwd: Unbelievable!!!!!
    From: [email protected]
    To: [email protected]
    3 September 10:34 a.m.
    Mr. Sharp:
    Ms. Alicia Sessions, personal assistant to our clients Kayleigh Towne and her father, Bishop Towne, forwarded us your emailof this morning. You have sent more than 50 emails and letters since we contacted you two months ago, urging you not to have any contact with Ms. Towne or any of her friends and family. We are extremely troubled that you have found her private email address (which has been changed, I should tell you), and are looking into possible violations of state and federal laws regarding how you obtained such address.
    Once again, we must tell you that we feel your behavior is completely inappropriate and possibly actionable. We urge you in the strongest terms possible to heed this warning. As we’ve said repeatedly, Ms. Towne’s security staff and local law enforcement officials have been notified of your repeated, intrusive attempts to contact her and we are fully prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to put an end to this alarming behavior.
    Samuel King, Esq.
    Crowell, Smith & Wendall, Attorneys-atLaw
    *   *   *
    Subject: See you soon!!!
    From: [email protected]
    To: [email protected]
    5 September 11:43 p.m.
    Hi, Kayleigh—
    Got your new email address. I know what they’re up to but DON’T worry, it’ll be all right.
    I’m lying in bed, listening to you right now. I feel like I’m literally your shadow  . . . And you’re mine. You are so wonderful!
    I don’t know if you had a chance to think about it—you’re sooooo busy, I know!—but I’ll ask again—if you wanted to send me some of your hair that’d be so cool. I know you haven’t cut it for ten years and four months (it’s one of those things that makes you so beautiful!!!) but maybe there’s one from your brush. Or better yet your pillow. I’ll treasure it forever.
    Can’t WAIT for the concert next Friday. C U soon.
    Yours forever,
    XO, Edwin



Chapter 1
    THE HEART OF a concert hall is people.
    And when the vast space is dim and empty, as this one was at the moment, a venue can bristle with impatience, indifference.
    Even hostility.
    Okay, rein in that imagination, Kayleigh Towne told herself. Stop acting like a kid. Standing on the wide, scuffed stage of the Fresno Conference Center’s main hall, she surveyed the place once more, bringing her typically hypercritical eye to the task