The silence stretched thick with tension as Tilly processed her conversation with her brother. She’d known the police had questioned her father and that he had a temper, but he loved Ruth more than anything. She didn’t think he’d actually hurt Ruth. Unless it was an accident.
Although if that happened he had no reason to kill others.
“Did you tell the police Dad went looking for her?”
Hayden shook his head no. “I… felt too guilty. Besides, he was our father and I didn’t want to believe he’d hurt her. Although I did wonder.”
“What?” Tilly asked. “Is there something else?”
Hayden pinched the bridge of his nose. “I heard him come in during the night. And he was all sweaty and went to the sink and washed his hands. They were dirty… and he seemed upset.”
Tilly gaped at him, her thoughts running wild. “Did you ask him where he’d been?”
“No,” Hayden said. “He was already on my case about everything and… I didn’t have the nerve.” He hesitated then poured himself another cup of coffee. “At that point, I didn’trealize Ruth was in trouble.” Guilt wrenched his voice. “And the next morning Mom was falling apart and so was Dad, then they called the police, and I decided Dad wouldn’t call the police if he’d hurt Ruth.”
“But he wasn’t honest with them either,” Tilly said. “Have you ever confronted him about that night?”
Hayden shook his head, and Tilly made a snap decision. “Well, it’s about time we did. I’m going to find them and make Dad tell the truth.”
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Hayden’s mouth. “I’m going with you.”
Tilly’s heart swelled with love for her brother. For the first in years, she didn’t feel quite so alone.
EIGHTY-EIGHT
Somewhere on the AT
He clawed at his arms so hard he drew blood. The walls were closing around him. All these cops and that fucking fed snooping around. And Hetty and Ida were acting way too nervous like they might talk.
Then that bitch Tilly Higgins was back poking around. Her damn sister started it all. Well, maybe notall.
But she was the trigger fifteen years ago. The adrenaline of shutting her up sizzled in his veins, like the coal fire that burned underground. Steamy and hot but hidden.
Until now.
It would be stupid to take another girl tonight. Or go after Tilly.
Jacey Ward was barely cold in the ground. Well, she had been until that asshole ranger had found her. He was another problem to be taken care of.
But the ranger would have to get in line.
He had his priorities.
Still, the commotion at that graveyard was riling him up. All those stupid murder tourists. Crawling around taking picturesof the headstones, pictures of themselves for social media. The teenagers were flocking in groves. Some numbnut had posted a challenge to the kids to search for a relative buried there.
The whole post had caused a frenzy of newcomers tonight. Dusk was setting. The moon was just a sliver of light. Shadows danced across the sky, creating monsters out of storm clouds.
Someone had also desecrated the memorial.
Sweat dripped down his chin. Shit. It was only a matter of time before the whole freaking bunch of dead he’d had so much fun with over the years was uncovered. His secrets exposed. The people who actually admired him would see a different side.
A side that needed to remain in the dark.
Until then though… he’d enjoy the game. Silence as many players as he could. One by one, they’d fall like dominos until they all came tumbling down.
EIGHTY-NINE
Jimmy’s Junkyard, Ballground
