Deadly Hallows (The Dead Ringer Series Book 1)

by Taylor Henderson

  Mason and I continued to share stories, and I found out we had a lot in common. He was genuinely funny and kind. I think this was the first time I laughed and spent so much time with someone since Kate had moved away. I felt as if I could stand up a little straighter, and be myself around him. I didn’t have to try to impress him, because he was interested in me for me. I liked knowing I had someone to talk to, even if our lives revolved around a murder.

  After another hour of talking and laughing with each other, we decided to head back. Mason was adamant on walking me home and making sure I made it inside safely, and I wasn’t going to turn down his offer even though I felt bad that we passed the street his house was on. As we walked in silence suddenly there was a chill that raced down my spine. I glanced over my shoulder, but saw nothing. There was just something about the night that worried me. The darkened streets, minimal light, and the ability for anyone to hide just out of sight. Another chill raced up my spine. I just hoped it was the cold, and fear of getting caught when I finally went back home. Nonetheless, I stepped a little closer to Mason and tugged my jacket around me tighter. I didn’t want him to have to walk home alone, but he reassured me that he would be fine.

  “No one wants to go after a guy, Casey. I’ll be fine. I’m here to make sure you are as well. Just relax, you’re safe.”

  I know he wanted to reassure me, but my nerves didn’t settle until I was inside my house with the door locked. I didn’t think I would feel safe in this town again until we got to the bottom of what had happened to Sophie. Maybe not even then.

  Chapter 20

  Roadkill

  Mindy leaned over and ran a hand through my hair, untangling any knots before proceeding to braid it. “This isn’t going to work without a scrunchy or something to hold it at the end. Your hair is too thin,” she said as her fingers moved skillfully.

  “You act like I asked you to braid my hair,” I replied, raising a french fry to my lips and chewing it up.

  In my peripheral vision I saw Mindy raise her shoulder in a shrug. “I asked if I could do your hair, and you said I could braid it. That suggestion was your idea.”

  “What else could you do to it without a hair tie?”

  She was silent for a moment. “I don’t know. I’m just bored.”

  I bit my lip in an attempt to keep my mouth shut. I had suggested we sit outside for lunch today, but none of Mindy’s friends had wanted to come. They had complained about the cold, blistering wind, and anything else they could think of. Mindy felt bad for me and had said yes to joining me, but I knew she would have rather been inside talking to the other girls.

  “Well, then tell me what’s new,” I offered, stuffing another fry into my mouth.

  Mindy reached over me and snagged a fry, not even bothering to ask. She knew that I didn’t mind, and she had forgotten her lunch money today anyway. “Like what, exactly? Pick a topic: boys, family, friends, or school.” Her brown eyes focused on me as I thought of which one would be more interesting.

  “Family?”

  She frowned. “Are you asking me, or is that your choice?”

  I rolled my eyes dramatically for her benefit. “That’s my choice.”

  Mindy groaned, and leaned on the table. “Bor-ing,” she said, dragging out each syllable. “My parents are trying for a new baby.” She poked her tongue out and held her finger over it in a gag me motion. “Gross. Pick another topic.” She reached for the half chicken sandwich that I had left and broke off a small piece. She ate so daintily that you would think someone was filming us.

  I knew she wanted me to pick ‘boys’ because when she listed the topics again, once again boys was first. So I picked it, causing her to clap her hands together excitedly. She instantly dropped the strands of my hair and turned to face me.

  Once she was sure my full attention was on her, she raised two fingers and said, “Two words. Jake. Wilson.”

  I furrowed my eyebrows at her. Jake was a senior this year, and I had never even seen him and Mindy talking before. Besides, he had a girlfriend of a year who was in our grade, and she was one of the nicest people I knew.

  Seeing my confused expression, she continued, “I went with Caitlyn to some party last weekend and he was there.” She raised an eyebrow. “Long story short, we ended up making out in the bathroom.”

  “Doesn’t he have a girlfriend?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.

  To my surprise, Mindy only shrugged. “Whatever. It won’t happen again. Definitely a one-time thing. We were totally trashed,” she added, as if that was a good reason for anything. I hated when people used alcohol as an excuse for their actions. If they couldn’t drink and control themselves, they shouldn’t drink at all. Who knew what they would do under the influence? But before I could tell her how wrong that was, she asked, “How about you? Tell me about your guy. Mr. Hottie-they-found-my-sister’s-dead-body.” She laughed so hard she had to clutch her stomach.

  I frowned, staring her down. “That’s not funny,” I said, my voice serious. She noticed, and stopped laughing instantly. She didn’t know that Sophie was also my sister, and she didn’t need to, either way it was disrespectful. I knew she wouldn’t have said it if she knew Sophie and I were related, but I could see her true colors were showing more and more lately and I didn’t like what I saw. “No matter how she died, Sophie lost her life before she even really had a chance to experience anything.”

  Mindy furrowed her eyebrows. “Well, I don’t mean to sound rude, but isn’t that kind of her fault for killing herself?”

  My mouth dropped open in shock at her harsh words. “Seriously? That’s like saying no offense before you say something offensive. Of course you sound rude.”

  “What?” she asked. “It’s true. Even you know it’s true.” She looked away from me for a second, then something caught her gaze and she pointed across the street. “Speak of the devil, there goes your boyfriend now.”

  I didn’t even bother correcting her, no longer caring what she thought. Her harsh words about Sophie had shown me who she really was, and I knew our friendship had been hanging on by a thread anyway. Maybe it was time to give up on it and stay with someone who actually treated me like a friend. I followed her finger to see Mason walking fast with his head down, and my thoughts instantly jumped to him. Why was he leaving in the middle of the day? He hadn’t told me about anything going on.

  Next to me, Mindy said something, but I was hardly paying any attention. I stood, grabbed another french fry, and tossed my bag on my back before I hurried off after Mason. I heard Mindy call after me, but I couldn’t be bothered with answering her. I was too curious as to what Mason was doing, and honestly, I was a little worried as well. He was walking so fast that it looked like he was in trouble or something.

  As I exited campus and followed Mason’s path, I realized that I had never ditched school before. I had never had a reason to until now, at least not a good enough reason. To me, Mason was a good enough reason to do anything, even to hunt down a murderer and put myself in danger. Although normally he was saving me from the danger I put myself in; the cliff, the car, I’m not sure what would come next.

  I let a breath of a laugh escape my lips as I continued to follow Mason. He was racing down the street, whether in a rush to get somewhere or just not get caught cutting school, I wasn’t sure. I’m sure his parents would understand if he ditched since some kids, even Mindy, spoke crassly and disrespectfully to him about his sister. My parents, on the other hand, wouldn’t understand. They knew I had a growing friendship with Mason, though my mother didn’t like it for clear reasons now that I knew about her illegitimate daughter. When I had figured out that secret she had been hiding from us, her behavior with Mason being my fake project partner made a lot more sense. She made it seem as though she didn’t want me to accidentally hurt them, but she was hurting because her daughter had died, and I was starting a friendship with Mason.

  I shook my head. I still wanted to talk to my mom ab
out it, but I couldn’t do that when Dad was home and lately he was home more often. I assumed he didn’t know since he didn’t have qualms about me spending time with Mason or Mason’s family. I was sure if he knew who Sophie was, then he’d never want me to see their family. He’d probably move out too, and my parents would divorce. I shivered at the thought, and quickly pushed those thoughts away as I followed Mason. When I turned my focus back to Mason, I realized I had lost him.

  “Shit,” I said as I glanced around Main Street. I couldn’t see him, and there were few people around because most of us were in school or at work.

  I sighed in defeat. I almost considered going back to school when I noticed the bookstore was open. I could do with getting lost in a book for a while. I would just make sure it wasn’t a murder mystery, I thought as I stepped into the street. I looked twice this time, as I had grown accustomed to after the last incident, and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but when I heard the rev of an engine I knew I was in their path again. I turned to see a car racing toward me before a pair of hands latched onto my biceps and yanked me back in time for the car to speed past. The wind blew my hair as the car raced away. Where had the car come from? How did they know I would be here? I shook my head, there was no way it could have been the same car. It was a coincidence, nothing more.

  Mason turned me around with a suspicious gaze. “Again, seriously? I can’t even trust you to cross a street safely without me.” The humor in his tone made me smile. At least he wasn’t upset as he was last time he saved me from a speeding car.

  “I should really keep you around, you’ve saved my life three times now. It’s like you’re my guardian angel or something.” I smiled, trying to push past the thoughts about someone coming after me. There was no proof, it was all just a coincidence. There was no way anyone could have known I’d be here now, I hadn’t even known. Unless they had been waiting for me.

  He laughed, letting his eyes light up and show off the flecks of gold in them. I relaxed slightly just being in his presence. “Just don’t make a habit of needing to be saved, and maybe get your parents to talk to someone about putting a speed bump, crosswalk, or even a traffic light here. It shouldn’t have happened twice, and I don’t want to think about what would have happened if I hadn’t been here either time.” He let his words sink in for a moment before gesturing for me to follow.

  “Sorry, I was just curious as to why you left school,” I explained. “I thought you were in trouble or something.”

  “I mean, that’s part of it. I was just tired of everyone staring at me and continually asking questions about Sophie; it just gets on my nerves. I thought most of them had moved on and swept it under the rug, but I think Cole started a few new rumors, so it’s starting again.” He rolled his eyes as he took my arm to help me cross the street. It made me feel like an elderly grandmother. I didn’t need help crossing the street, I just needed to make sure no cars were speeding toward me when I tried to. “I don’t regret talking to him,” Mason added. I didn’t say anything as he led me around Main Street because it was clear he had more to say. “I didn’t mean to freak you out or anything. I had to pick up something from the hardware store, and figured it was as good of a time as any to go.” There was a pause as he thought of something else. “I should have texted you though. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” I said with a smile. “I shouldn’t have worried. I just didn’t want you to go alone if you found something.”

  We fell silent as we entered the hardware store. Mr. Woodward was once again watching his TV behind the counter, but when he saw us he got up. “I thought you kids would be in school.” He turned to Mason before adding, “I didn’t tell you your stuff was ready for pick up so you could skip classes.”

  “I know, sir. It was just a rough day,” Mason explained. “A little break couldn’t hurt.”

  Unless it means you almost get hit by a car again.

  “That’s true,” Mr. Woodward agreed as he bent down and rummaged behind the counter. “Just don’t make a habit of it, Mason,” he added as he placed a brown bag on the counter and slid it over.

  Mason paid and we said a quick goodbye before walking outside to inspect the bag. He reached in and pulled out a walkie-talkie before handing it to me. I looked at him in confusion. “Just in case you need me to come to your rescue. It’s faster than a text message,” he joked. “I got the one with the farthest range. This town’s so small that we could use them and be in range at all times.” I noticed a few other supplies in the bag, so I assumed the walkie-talkie was a joke. At least I hoped he hadn’t gotten it in case I needed help.

  I rolled my eyes and placed the walkie-talkie into my coat pocket. It made Mason smile, which made me happy.

  “Come on,” he said, grabbing my hand. “I have some other stuff to show you while everyone else is still in school.”

  Chapter 21

  No Promises

  Mason and I spent some time walking around town as he ran errands for his mom. He was supposed to do them after school, but all that really mattered was that they got done. Mrs. Peters was having a hard time coping after Sophie’s death. According to Mason, ever since Sophie had gone missing she hadn’t been the same. Doing basic things took a lot out of her so she saved her energy to go to work and cook dinner. He and his father were now doing most of the work around the house so his mother could heal. In order to help her out Mason and I had mailed a couple of letters at the post office, then picked up a few things from the supermarket she needed for dinner. Afterwards I went and bought some of Mrs. Poling’s comfort food to give to his mom in case there was a day she couldn’t cook.

  After we finished with the errands we went to my house and put the food in the fridge before heading up to my room. Mason had been oddly silent since walking into my house. The whole time we were in town we talked idly about small things such as rumors, the passing comments, and even the friends he was slowly making. Though when we got to my house, he became eerily silent. It was as if he was overtaken by fear and had lost the ability to speak. The only thing I could think of was that he was wondering about our parents again.

  He had stated more than once he was shocked at what had passed between them without anyone knowing. How could my father not know she was pregnant? Easy, she didn’t start showing until after she left. That’s what I would have done if I were in her shoes. I would have hid it for as long as possible, and if I was going to run from the reality of having to tell my husband, I’d leave until after the baby came and I lost the baby weight. Then Mason would ask how his mother didn’t know, and I’d shrug. He had to figure that one out for himself. I didn’t know his mother like I knew mine.

  “What are you thinking about?” I asked as I pulled out my laptop to open Sophie’s diary again. We had run into yet another dead end with Cole. Since he hadn’t been giving her the medication, and because the drug had been so widespread during the summer anyone could have had it. He was in the clear. We weren’t giving up, though. Mason was convinced that the two almost car accidents were on purpose, and brought up a few other occurrences I hadn’t even noticed that were threats against me.

  Someone had slid notes into my locker warning me to stop looking. I assumed they were from Mindy because she was upset with me for not giving her the gossip, and now she would be even angrier that I ditched her for Mason today, and tossed them without another thought. Mason reminded me of the time the tires on my car, really the car my parents let me borrow, were deflated. I had run over broken glass in our driveway. Mason was sure someone knew what we were up to and was warning me to stop, but I wasn’t going to. I wasn’t even sure they were threats, and the only one that had me on edge was the most recent—an anonymous phone call.

  “You’re next.”

  I shivered remembering the dark voice and its promise. The voice said I was next, and I wouldn’t have it as easy as Sophie had. I shook my head to get rid of the thoughts. I had been trying to convince myself that it was Co
le trying to get even with me for accusing him. The only problem was Cole wouldn’t continue to call. He would have been a one-time kind of guy, just like he was with all the girls.

  Mason placed his hand on my shoulder, clearly realizing what I was thinking about. It allowed me to clear my mind for a moment and refocus. There had to be something that would make someone stand out as a suspect, but I couldn’t think of one. Maybe we’d been missing something. Everyone in this town seemed to have an angle, but I couldn’t think of many people with someone who had just moved to town. So Mason and I thought of our parents’ affair. What if they had hurt someone other than their significant others?

  But who else was there to hurt?

  “I’ve been thinking about the birth certificate,” he admitted.

  “What about it?” I asked curiously. I hoped for a deeper answer than, “Well, my father cheated with your mother,” but I had a feeling that was the extent of his thoughts on it. I couldn’t get past it either, which meant I couldn’t push into the hard topics that would eventually come up.

  “It was the biggest surprise I’ve ever experienced,” he said thoughtfully before he looked absent for a moment, lost in a memory. “Other than when my father first brought Sophie home. I was so young, about three, but there’s a video of she and I meeting for the first time. I was ecstatic, and wouldn’t leave her side for days. I just watched over her, and slept in her nursery so I could be closer to her.” He sighed. “My mother treated Sophie like one of the family, but I think I always knew in the back of my mind something was wrong. I can remember a time during middle school when I walked in on my mom asking my dad which niece was Sophie’s mom.”

  “Your dad told her that Sophie was someone else’s daughter?” I asked, surprised that he didn’t remember that earlier when we discussed if the other parent knew about Sophie. His dad would have had to say something to explain why he brought home a baby girl. I just hadn’t expected him laying the blame on another family member.