Lake of Secrets

by Shay Lee Giertz

  We hop in Uncle Doug’s boat. Cassie scrambles to find the key.

  “Aunt Sue just came back outside,” I whisper.

  “Found it!” Cassie starts up the motor, turns to me, and says with a grin, “I hate paddle boats.”

  “CASSIE!” Aunt Sue is racing toward us. “Get back here right now!”

  I undo the ropes as Cassie guns the motor.

  “Cassie!” Aunt Sue yells.

  “We’ll be right back!” she calls out to Aunt Sue.

  We move across the water in record speed. Even with Uncle Doug’s boat lamps, the lake is ominous. But Cassie doesn’t seem to care as she rips across the water. “You know,” I say, “last time you drove, you nearly killed me.”

  “Thought I’d get it right this time,” she teases.

  “Why is all this craziness happening?” I ask. “Gran’s right. It started when I got here. How messed up is that? It’s like I’m responsible.”

  “Stop it.” Cassie touches my arm while one hand stays on the wheel. “Everyone is freaked out, stressed; there are a lot of emotions right now. But that doesn’t change the fact that we’re on a mission. We’re not doing anything wrong. This ghost sought you out to help her. People aren’t going to understand that.”

  I look at Cassie and feel the tears well in my eyes. “Thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “For believing in me, you twit.”

  We laugh, and I wipe at my eyes.

  “We’re in this together,” she says quietly and slows the engine. We’re near the shore. “Ginnie, you’re going to have to get out and secure the anchor.”

  I nod and push down the fear. I jump into the shallow, murky water.

  “Here.” She hands me the anchor. “Make sure it sticks.”

  Once it’s in place, Cassie turns off the motor.

  We walk to the beach and stand, looking at the yellow tape.

  “Let’s look outside of the yellow tape first,” I suggest.

  Cassie hands me a flashlight. “Okay, but that’s not going to stop her. She’s been on Grandma’s property, for Pete’s sake.”

  “It’s not her I’m worried about.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. Sorry. Let’s stay away from those creepy bugs.”

  We start calling Ian’s name. I’m not too scared because I can hear the groups of people in the woods. His name is being called from all directions.

  I move the flashlight all over, even where the bugs were from earlier. Nothing is there now.

  “He would have come from up there,” Cassie says. “Right? He didn’t take a boat.”

  “You’re right. Should we climb up?” I shine the flashlight above us to the tree ledge.

  “Ian?” someone yells. Whoever calls his name is very close.

  My flashlight shines across the ledge. I notice a tree limb that’s broken and dangling. It looks like the same tree limb that I had caught on to on my first hiking trip. My heart freezes as the flashlight travels down to the beach we’re at. A lump lies on the ground. “Ian?” I rush to it, moving the yellow tape and heading into it. “Oh,” I gasp as soon as I see it’s him. “Ian?”

  No response.

  “He’s here!” Cassie yells with all her might. “Ian is here! Hello, everyone! Ian is here!”

  “Where are you at?” someone calls out.

  “Where the yellow tape is!” she calls. “At the bottom of the tree ledge!”

  “On our way!”

  There’s more yelling, but I have tuned it out.

  “Is he all right?” Cassie asks.

  “He has a pulse.” My voice quakes. “But he’s not responding. He fell, Cassie. Do you think he was up there when we were here? Could he have been watching us? In his own way trying to protect us?”

  Flashlights shine from above.

  “We’re here!” Cassie yells. “Ian must have fallen! He’s knocked unconscious!”

  I look up to see Mr. Fulton scaling down the tree wall.

  “You got him?” someone yells.

  “Get an ambulance!” Mr. Fulton yells. “Stat!” He jumps halfway down and lands on his feet. He’s over to us and cradling Ian’s head.

  “He has a pulse, Mr. Fulton.”

  Mr. Fulton feels the back of Ian’s neck, check’s his head, lowers his head to gauge his breathing. “Ian?” Mr. Fulton isn’t rough, but quiet and calm. “Ian? Can you hear me? It’s Dad. Time to come out of it.” He gently slaps Ian’s face. To us, he says, “It doesn’t appear too serious. Ian will panic occasionally and seizure. It takes him a while to come out. Let’s hope that it’s nothing more.”

  I hear more people coming down the tree ledge. “How is he?” It’s my Dad. We make eye contact. “He was with you?”

  “No. Cassie and I took Uncle Doug’s boat out here after we got back and found out what happened. We thought Ian might have tried to follow us.”

  “You came here?”

  “Yes.”

  Dad doesn’t look happy. His jaw sets in a firm line. He turns to Mr. Fulton, “How’s he doing?”

  “It’s too soon to tell. I think he might have panicked and slipped into an epileptic coma. We’ll see.”

  Ian’s head moves suddenly.

  “Ian?” Mr. Fulton tries again. “Ian, come on now. I’m waiting to talk to you.”

  A boat’s motor slows as it comes to shore.

  “Cassie, go tell them where we’re at,” Dad orders.

  She moves without a word. Dad glances at me then looks down at Ian. “Ginnie, you need to go back to the house. We’ll take care of it from here. Cassie needs to go with you. Stay there.”

  I nod. I should be relieved that Ian is found and will probably be okay. But once again, I feel as if I’m going to get blamed for this.

  “Ginnie?” Mr. Fulton calls to me. “I’m glad you found him.” To Dad, he says, “It’s probably fastest if we use the boat and take Ian across. We’re too far in the woods here. Could you have first responders meet at Rose’s house?”

  “I’m on it,” Dad says. “Do you need help getting him on the boat?”

  Mr. Fulton doesn’t answer because he’s already lifted his son and carries him to the water.

  I follow, and soon someone else approaches who helps lift Ian safely into the boat. I pull up the anchor and climb on board.

  “Are you good to drive it?” Mr. Fulton asks Cassie.

  “I think so.” Cassie starts the boat and drives it to the other side of the lake. I make a point to keep my attention on Ian. I’ve had enough of that ghost for the time being.

  Cassie slows the boat as we approach the dock and cuts off the engine. The gentleman who came with us to help with Ian helps to tie the boat to the dock, while Cassie puts the key back into its storage space.

  Together the gentleman and Mr. Fulton carry Ian across the dock and around the house to the front.

  Aunt Sue is waiting for us. “Both of you, in the house. Now.”

  “We found Ian,” Cassie snaps. “We had a feeling he followed us earlier, so we wanted to check. And I’m already eighteen. The time has ended where you get to treat me like a child.”

  Aunt Sue points up to the house.

  “Come on, Ginnie,” Cassie says with dripping sarcasm. “Looks like our efforts were so appreciated.”

  When we get to the house, I don’t wait for anyone. I don’t want to think about anyone or anything. I walk straight to our bedroom, take off my shoes and jeans, pop one of my pain killers into my mouth, and fall face-first into my bed. The clock beside the bed says it’s past one in the morning, and that’s the last thing I see before I drift off.

  32

  The next time I open my eyes, the clock beside my bed says it’s past noon. I think about last night, and it all comes flooding back. Sitting up, I check Cassie’s bed. She’s still sleeping soundly, so I leave her alone.

  I throw on a pair of sweats and leave the room. Before heading downstairs, I see if Dad is in his bedroom. His door is open, but he’s not t
here. I notice my box has been opened, and the note is resting beside it. Somehow, I doubt that will spare me from a sound verbal lashing.

  Voices come from the living room. I walk in and see Dad, Gran, Aunt Sue, and Uncle Doug all sitting down. Gran looks guilty, and Dad tries to wipe any emotion from his face. It’s then that I realize Gran must have told him the secret.

  “I’ll come back later,” I say and step outside the room.

  “No, you’ll get in here now.” Dad’s voice is stern and unmoving.

  Here goes.

  Once in the room, Uncle Doug and Aunt Sue excuse themselves. Aunt Sue doesn’t look at me, so I know that I’m still in the doghouse.

  “How’s Ian?” I ask.

  “He’s home. He came out of the coma and was in his right mind. He has a broken ankle from the fall, but once they had the cast on him, he got to go home. Ted said he would cope better in his own environment.”

  “Good.” I sigh in relief.

  Dad barely pauses. “We’ve decided that you should go back to London,” Dad says without looking up. “Too much is going on here, and I need to know that you’re safe.”

  “And London will make me safe?”

  “Being here seems to be dangerous for you,” Dad says sharply. “Especially when you won’t listen, and then lie to cover your tracks.”

  I can’t recall the last time Dad has truly raised his voice at me. He’s been annoyed before and short-tempered but never this unflinchingly angry. “You don’t understand.”

  “Understand? What’s there to understand? You’ve got some bug up your craw about some dead girl and how she’s related to us? You sound like you’ve lost your mind!” Dad is standing and bellowing at me. I grip the arms of my chair to hold my composure. “Not only have you put yourself in danger, but you’ve put other people in danger. Other people are getting hurt, Virginia. Because of your thoughtlessness and impulsiveness! And if that’s not enough, you’re tearing this family apart!”

  “Sam, go easy on your daughter. You’re taking your anger at me and directing it at her.” Gran speaks calmly, but there is emotion in the words.

  “I have purchased your plane ticket. We leave for Detroit in the morning.” He storms out of the living room and slams the front door shut behind him.

  My fists are clenched and I can’t control my shaking. I start to sob. My body trembles as I cry. I feel Gran’s arms around me. I want to tell her to leave me alone. She lied to Dad, and I got blamed. Instead, I lean into her until I have no more tears to shed.

  “You’re right, Ginnie,” Gran says in my ear. “It’s not your fault. Your father is rightfully upset at me, and he’s taking it out on you. Give him time to cool off. Until then, there’s somewhere I need you to take me.”

  “I have to pack.”

  “It won’t take long. It’s somewhere I should have taken you when you first started asking questions.”

  “Can I go, too?” Cassie stands at the entryway. “Sorry, I didn’t want to interrupt, but I’d like to go, if that’s okay?”

  I stretch out my arm and Cassie sits down on my other side and hugs me and Gran. “I’ve never heard Uncle Sam yell like that.”

  “He’s had a lot thrown at him. Give him time to process,” Gran says. “It’s why I kept his birth a secret for so many years. It was simpler. But you know what they say about secrets, the truth has a way of revealing itself.”

  “I thought the truth set you free.” I know the Bible verse from all my years at Catholic school. Unfortunately, the truth doesn’t feel so free at the moment.

  “It does, but it takes time for us to realize the freedom that comes with it. Now, go get dressed girls. Pandora’s Box has been opened. I might as well show you something that could be useful. I’ll go tell Sue and Doug, you’re coming with me.”

  As Cassie and I go up the stairs, I ask, “I thought you were still sleeping?”

  “After you went downstairs, Mom and Dad came up to the bedroom, woke me up, and told me if I ever pull a stunt like that again, they won’t be paying for my car insurance. They’ll take away my keys.”

  “I’m going to London tomorrow.”

  Cassie stops surprised. “You can’t leave. We haven’t figured this thing out.”

  “What am I supposed to do? Maybe Dad’s right. Everyone’s getting hurt. Maybe it’s better this way.”

  “If you leave, I leave. This summer will suck if you’re not here.”

  “I don’t have a choice in the matter. You know it’s bad when Dad thinks I’m safer with Mum.”

  After we’re dressed, we leave with Gran. First, she takes us to Monday morning mass—she refuses to let either of us get behind the wheel. But I don’t mind too much. I go and confess my sins and feel much better. Gran gives me a wink and says, “That’s a good Catholic girl.”

  Right when Cassie’s about to snap from boredom, Gran piles us in the car and drives us to the newspaper’s office.

  “This is where you wanted to take us?” Cassie asks.

  “Shh.”

  Once inside, Gran brings us past the main office and through a set of security doors. She stops and chats with a few people, but tells them we’re on a mission. We follow her down a flight of stairs. “Here’s where we keep the archives.” She unlocks another door and lets us in a room packed with filing cabinets.

  “Haven’t you ever heard of a computer database,” Cassie mutters.

  “We’re a small newspaper, so our digital records only go back a couple of decades. The rest is stored in multiple places. This is where we keep our really old archives.” Gran goes to a set of filing cabinets and opens a few of them, skimming through the folder tags. “Jackpot!” She pulls out a musty file. “Look at this.”

  Gran hands me the image of Barbara Blackstone that I had first seen in the newspaper. It’s an eight by ten and is truly a better quality image. I glance up to see Gran walking down the narrow path to cabinets on the other side of the long room.

  “Come over here,” she calls.

  “Why didn’t she show us this earlier?” Cassie whispers.

  “Maybe she didn’t think we’d figure out as much as we did. She told me she was planning on taking the secret to the grave.”

  Gran’s digging through more folders. “These are where more recent photos are kept.”

  “Isn’t it just downloaded onto the computer from the camera?”

  “Yes. When our photographers take the picture, it is. But sometimes community members bring photos in. We store them here.” She pulls out a photo and hands it to us.

  It’s a picture of Bonnie Blackstone, holding an award of some sort. She looks into the camera with the same shy smile that the girl does in my other hand. “This was taken a few years ago.”

  “They look a lot alike.” Cassie sighs, “I don’t get it.”

  “Take a look at the mole.”

  At first, I don’t see it, but then I notice a small, dark mole just above her right eyebrow. When I compare it to Bonnie Blackstone’s, she has the same mark.

  “After Barbara went missing, everyone noticed a change in Bonnie. It was strange. Bonnie had always been a mean girl. The way she treated Barbara, especially. After the disappearance though, Bonnie did a complete turn-around. Almost like it was a different person.”

  I keep looking from one picture to the next. I think of Isaac and Mitch and their fierce denial that Bonnie Blackstone could possibly be a murderer. So then, who is staring at me in the pictures?

  “I’ve always wondered,” Gran’s speaking in a hushed whisper. “The way Bonnie completely avoids me. Wants nothing to do with me. Won’t even look me in the eye. The real Bonnie wouldn’t act that way.”

  “Unless she was guilty,” Cassie says. “Or unless her sister’s death caused her to change her ways.”

  Gran looks at me and raises her eyebrows. “Barbara promised me that she would not interfere in my raising of Sam. It would be just like her to honor her word forty years later.”

 
; “So, what you’re saying is that the girl and woman in these pictures is the same person?”

  “It’s just an educated guess. I’ve always wondered.”

  “So, if this is Barbara Blackstone, who’s the ghost?” Cassie asks.

  A chill shoots up my spine as I think of the beetles, of Ian’s warning, of my uneasy premonitions. “I think it’s time to talk to Bonnie Blackstone.”

  “Which one?” Cassie asks warily.

  “We’ll start with the living one first.”

  33

  We pull into the driveway of Bonnie Blackstone’s house. She’s another one who lives away from town. Gran turns off the engine, but none of us move.

  “She and Mitch must like seclusion,” Cassie says. “A lot of these other houses look deserted.”

  “This is tribal land. Many have left. If I’m not mistaken, Bonnie inherited this stretch of land from her father. He didn’t live long after Barbara’s death. Neither did their mother.”

  “Probably died from a broken heart,” I whisper. I think of my Dad and how much I’ve put him through. “Dad has every right to be upset. I can’t imagine the pain he’d have endured if what happened to me had been more…permanent.” I touch my forehead, the wound still tender.

  “Don’t blame yourself,” Gran says. “Please, Ginnie. Things are beyond our control sometimes. I realize that now. It’s almost as if the universe aligned to have all this happen at this moment in time. There’s a verse in the Bible that says your sins will find you out, and I believe it. It was only a matter of time before you and your father learned the truth. Secrets like this can’t be kept forever.” She grabs my hand and squeezes it. “I thought if I didn’t say anything, even with all your questions, that it would just go away. I shouldn’t have done that. This is as much my mess as anyone else’s.”

  “I only hope he can forgive me.” I rub my eyes.

  “Uncle Sam isn’t like that,” Cassie consoles me. “He’s upset, but he’ll cool off. We all know that. Let’s go and see what’s up with this Barbara/Bonnie mystery before you get shipped back across the ocean.”

  “I’ll stay in the car and wait for you,” Gran says.