by Tara Brown
Cutting that one day a week was really taking a toll on Mom, like she was parenting so much more.
Which was a joke.
She was the alpha parent. She parented us whether he was around or not. Which in her world meant she parented the staff, and they parented us through her leadership. She ran a tight ship and we all towed the line.
Mazy gave me a look as she entered my room, holding her cat like Dr. Evil held Mr. Bigglesworth. “Why is Mom so grumpy this week? Normally, back to school gets her excited. She didn't even pick out my outfit. It’s the one day a year we don't have to wear a uniform and she walked right by me.” She flumped onto my bed, annoying the fluffy orange tabby in her arms. “She was doing that creepy Kreacher muttering again too. I think she’s losing it.”
“Mom’s just upset about the house and the yard. As soon as the workers are gone she’ll be back to normal.”
“Oh, so only slightly crabby instead of heinously wicked.” Mazy rolled her eyes and used words I didn't realize she knew. “I feel like she’s the evil stepmom from Cinderella, only I’m not adopted. God, wouldn't that be awesome, finding out we were adopted?”
“Can you find somewhere to be today after school?” I ignored her dramatics and asked it like I didn't have another meaning, but I had been trying to have my sister stay away from the house as much as possible.
Mom was one thing, but a killer stalking me, lighting my house on fire, and leaving a dead body in my yard had me rattled. It had been almost a month since we’d heard from the killer, but that didn't mean he wasn't out there, waiting for the moment to strike.
His last message had been so threatening. We had a week to solve the murder before it happened. But we had solved nothing. We hadn’t even spoken of it much at all.
We hadn’t had time.
At the exact moment investment in Crimson Cove was threatened by Mr. Henning betraying Crimson Cove Inc. to the Blacks and the Van Harkers, our families had gone into overdrive.
Scheduled wasn't the word for it.
We were paraded about, proving this was the life everyone wanted. Crimson Cove was safe and sound, so much so that the girls who had been friends with Rachel Swanson, the dead girl, hadn’t even paused their social lives to mourn her passing.
It was disturbing.
And it was a secret.
One I wasn't going to tell Mazy about. How did you tell a little girl that we had received threatening texts from my dead friend’s cell phone?
All I could do was ensure she wasn't roaming the hallowed halls of this nearly haunted mansion.
“I guess I can go to Emily’s again.” She sounded even more down with that option. “But Tom is even worse than Mom. Ever since Ashton went missing, he’s been a real dic—”
“Don't! Don't cuss! You’re eleven, don't swear. You don't want to sound like you grew up on the docks.” I sat on the bed next to her, realizing I sounded just like Mom. “Tom’s just stressed and worried too. It’s been a hard summer on everyone. Rachel was murdered and Ash went missing. Mr. Henning died. Mom suffered because of that one.” I rolled my eyes for her but continued on, “Everything is a mess. And out of this house we can’t even show our feelings or worries. We all have to truck on, pretending we’re cool with it all so the paparazzi don't get wind and make it worse. They could ruin Crimson Cove by saying it’s dangerous here. Which would ruin Dad and Tom and Mr. Allen.”
I wanted to tell her it was dangerous but there wasn't any point. The week after Rachel’s death had been bad but everything had died off after that.
We had yet to receive one threat, one message, or even one sign that the killer was stalking us.
“People are saying Ashton killed Rachel and fled.” Her bright-blue eyes widened. “I can’t even say I blame him.”
“Don't say that! That's a lie!” It came out harsher than I expected, but I softened right away. “He is not guilty, and he wouldn't have ever hurt her, even if she was mean. I think he’s scared. I saw him leave the party the night she died, and she was still alive when he drove off. Whoever killed her was still at the party. And Tom is worried about that too. You know how Ashton is his favorite.”
“Yeah. He and Mom should hang out.” Her words were so innocent, but she didn't know half the town was having an affair. Our mom and Tom would be a match made in heaven. Two miserable grumps criticizing the failures they were surrounded by. It was the most frightening thought.
“Just finish getting ready and I’ll drive you.” I dragged the dress on over my tank top, leaving my leggings on. Mommy Dearest would have to pry those from my cold dead body. Which, at this rate, could be anytime before first period.
Chapter Two
The locker police
The car ride was heaven.
Mostly it was from just being out of the house, but a small part came from finally driving my own vehicle, thanks to convincing my dad not to buy me a sweet-sixteen car. I desperately didn't want the Volvo he was determined I should drive. He and the safety features sheet were a deadly duo.
I pressed the gas, hearing the super ecofriendly Fiat hum. It didn't purr the way Lindsey’s crazy car did, but it didn't pollute quite the same either. It was white and reminded me of Italy, the first place I ever drove. The thing I loved the most was that it was similar to a VW beetle but not as crappy.
Mazy waved her hand out the window, flying it like the car had one wing. “Do you think the Halloween ball will still happen?”
“Of course.” I laughed. “I don't think one thing is going to change out here. That could scare investors or prospects from the town. Trust me, everything will be the same. I told you, no one wants the gossip rags to realize the fabulous town of Crimson Cove is having problems. It will be the same Halloween ball as every year.”
“Except of course, Rachel won’t be planning every moment of your lives.” She said it cautiously, like she wasn't sure I would agree.
“That is the one thing I won’t miss about her.” It was a lie. There were dozens of things I wouldn't miss. The way she called Lindsey ugly was top of the list, just under the way she treated Ashton. I hated that.
“I bet there’s tons of things you won’t miss.”
“We have to be polite. She’s dead. We can’t say mean things, even if she did them. That's how death works. Her sins are forgotten, washed away.”
“Everyone still brings up Voldemort and says all the means things he did.”
“Not the same.” I chuckled as I pulled into the parking lot of the elementary school and gave Mazy a nod. “Have a good day. If you want a ride home, text me. Or message Dan. He’s looking for ways to avoid Mom.” Mom’s driver had been washing the vehicles thrice daily since the fire. Anything to get away from my mom and her misery.
“Okay. I think I’ll try to go to Emily’s or see if we can both go to Rosie’s house. Her parents are both gone for the next two weeks.” She hopped out, slamming my door like always. “And her nanny is the nicest lady ever. She’s like a Filipino Mary Poppins.”
“It’s a light door!” I shouted after her as my car vibrated from the slam again, as always. “And I don't think you should call her that.”
She waved and found her way to Emily who offered me a shy grin. Emily was the sweetest girl. Not fake sweet the way Sage was. She was truly sweet.
Thinking that brought memories of once upon a time when Sage had been sweet too. The fake aspects of her personality had developed over time, like a response to the world we lived in. Her skin had thickened a little, making her a touch harder as the years went on. Rachel was the least of the vicious things in our life. In fact, she had been downright tolerable, compared to Tom or my mother.
I drove around the drop-off circle and headed right, onto the main road to our school. We were one of the few seaside academies in the US. If you were standing inside the building you could easily imagine being in Australia. If you were outside in November you knew it wasn't a tropical climate. A good nor’easter left you with no gues
ses as to where the school was located.
Thankfully, the first week of September was still as warm, just not as humid as August. There was a freshness to the air from how cold it became at night.
I parked in my usual spot, next to Lindsey’s fancy car, and climbed out, adjusting my dress. It was my junior year, and I didn't feel a single ounce of excitement. If I didn't clear his name, Ashton wouldn't be here. He was the only senior I ever daydreamed about as I stalked him mercilessly.
Not that it mattered anymore. Not since having to worry I might not live through the year to write my SATs or apply to college.
No, the year held nothing for me but danger and misery. I needed to solve this mystery so we could have the junior year we deserved. But first of all, I needed to get my friends back to worrying about it with me.
I shouldered my hobo bag and locked my car, ambling toward the front door with sadness owning my face.
“Lain!”
I didn't have to turn around to know who was calling me. I paused and let Lindsey catch up. She nudged me and offered a weird look with her dark-blue eyes. Like she was searching my face for something. “You all right?”
“No.” The answer was the truth. With her I didn't have to lie or smile or pretend. There wasn't any point. She was like a Jack Russell hunting a rat when it came to lying. She knew everyone too well.
“Did something happen?”
“No.” I almost asked what she could mean, but I knew what she meant.
“Dreading the year?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged. “I am, and it hasn't even started.”
“I know.” She sighed and leaned against me, laying her head on my shoulder. “Me too.”
I turned to see if Vince was following her, but he wasn't there. “Where’s Vincent?”
“Talking on the phone. He’s got some meeting in New York with the Young Republicans. It’s creepy. I think they’re a form of Old World masters, like Masons or something.”
“Yikes. It’s the first day of school. He’s already hitting the campaign trail?”
Lindsey snorted. “No. He’s just trying to keep his options open, on the off chance we somehow live through the next year. He may actually end up at college.”
“Anything else figured out from the list I gave him?” I had asked him to look into some things for me because he was the most powerful kid our age. There was no denying the fact Vincent Banks was a big shot from the moment he was born.
“He has no idea why the power went out at the party the night Rachel was killed. Nothing. The police asked every person at the party, including staff, and have found nothing. No one even knows where the power could have been cut off at and then turned back on so quickly. The house never lost power, only the dock, pool, and pool house. An electrician is looking into it, and Vincent’s source at the police station will let him know.” She looked up into my eyes. “And he can’t find that driver, the one who poisoned Mr. Casey’s driver and then took his place to drive us to the party. No one has seen him again, and Mr. Casey’s real driver remembers nothing. He’s useless. He was too sick with the slight poisoning he got that night.”
“But we all agree the guy with the beard who was making out with Rachel was the driver?”
She nodded. “I think so. So does Vince.”
“And what about the man you heard your dad call on the cell phone, Hendricks?”
Lindsey’s eyes widened. Regret filled them, but I didn't care. I hadn’t told anyone what she had told me. She struggled but then nodded. “Vincent knows who Hendricks is.”
“He does?” My stomach tightened.
“Yeah. He’s some dude who works contract for rich men. Vince used the word ‘cleaner.’ He handles things that need to be handled sensitively.” She gulped.
My mouth went dry a little as a flash from the movie Pulp Fiction soared about my brain. “Your dad knew him already? A cleaner?”
“Yeah. So did your dad and Vincent’s. Sierra’s dad, Sage’s, Rachel’s; they all know him too. He’s done work for Crimson Cove Inc. before. They all know him.” Her voice had become a whisper and the wind felt colder for it. My arm hairs were standing on end and my skin crawled. “What does that mean?”
“They’ve clearly had a mess to clean up before.” The dread in her voice matched the feelings inside me.
“Clearly.”
“Bitches!”
I jumped and spun, scowling as Sierra strolled up in her shortest skirt. The wind caught it and lifted it so I got the full view of her white silk underwear.
“Sierra! My eyes!” Lindsey shouted. “The dress has to be longer than the vag, dude.”
“What?” She looked down and tugged at the skirt. “I think I grew over the summer. Is that possible? My shit is all shorter this year. And let’s be real, it was short last year.” She nudged me like we should laugh together over it.
“You started menstruation later than the rest of us so you will grow a bit later.” I couldn't even stop the answer from blurting out. “This is likely your last year of growth.”
“Thanks, Doc.” She winked one of her bright-azure eyes at me and tossed her red hair about before scanning the schoolyard. “Any hotties we don't yet know reporting in for duty?” Sierra had been going from her old slutty self to a bitter addict on regular rotations. I was sort of glad she was back to her old self for first day of school. Cleaning her up off the bathroom floor at every party we’d been forced to attend over the last month hadn’t been a treat. Neither had being the one person she fessed up to about her desperate love for Vincent. I hated that I knew that sad fact, and she had the fortune of forgetting she’d ever told me.
“We just got here. I drove up about three minutes before Lain. Where’s Sage?” Lindsey said with a note of hostility. Since Lindsey had started dating Sage’s ex there was tension upon tension. Exes were off limits, sort of a hos before bros mentality. But Vincent Banks didn't listen to rules. If he decided he wanted something he got it. Lindsey had been that thing that Vincent had always wanted. I still sort of thought he’d used the bad things that had happened over the summer to worm his way into Lindsey’s heart. But I would never have said that to her. I didn't think I even needed to. She saw the flaws in the machine. She knew starting a relationship in the midst of such toxicity was a bad idea.
Sierra rolled her eyes. “Sage is with Rita. They came early to make sure they are in all the same classes. Apparently, they plan on being BFFs this year. Whatever.”
“Maybe it will help her bounce back,” Lindsey offered. “She isn’t even drawing anymore. And no photography this year. She said she wasn't going to be in the class anymore because she and Rachel took it together.”
“I honestly don't care. I took geography with Rachel. Can I be excused too? Like really. Sage needs to pull her tampon out and stop being a little bit—”
“Dude!” Lindsey laughed. “Lower your voice if you’re going to trash talk. Yikes and stripes.” She glanced over at the front door, bringing my gaze with hers. “The bell is about to ring.” She looked at the old clock above the front door.
The school was starting to get crowded, and I really wanted to get to my locker. I hated being late.
Sierra linked her arm in mine and started toward the school. “Okay, crazy. I see the wild look in your eyes. Let’s go in before we’re late. We all know how much you hate that.”
They both knew me far too well.
“I’m going to grab Vince and see you guys inside,” Lindsey called out and walked toward the side of the building where Vince was on his iPhone. He looked upset, but not like he was talking to the Young Republicans. He looked emotional.
“Oh, to be in love,” Sierra moaned. “Except then I would be stuck with only one boy and that would never do.” She sashayed us both to the front door. “Have you seen Jake yet?” She winked.
“No?” I didn't understand the question. Why Jake? She wasn't the only person asking me about him lately. Even my mom was questioning me on his w
hereabouts.
“I haven’t either.” Sierra’s cheeks flushed, and I wondered if maybe she liked him and that was why she was asking. Had I missed her having a crush on him because of everything else that was going on? Was her telling me about the undying love she had for Vincent an act?
No, she had been too drunk to act. Maybe Jake was the act.
I started to lead when we got inside, noting the smell was exactly the same as last year, and the one before that. It was learning, inspiration, friends, and that weird smell no school can avoid that gets even worse in the dead of winter. I always suspected it was moldy food in the lockers.
“It’s going to be weird without Rach.”
“Dude,”—her grip on me tightened—“I don't want to talk about that.” Her eyes widened and lost most of the humor they usually had in them.
“I know.” I didn't either, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. “But we need to know who’s watching us. Just because we haven’t heard from the killer, doesn't mean he isn’t out there.”
“No, that's exactly what that means.” Sierra turned and shook her head. “The fact we haven’t heard from him means he isn’t out there. The killer said someone else would be dead, and we had one week to solve the murder before it happened and then nothing happened. No one is dead. It’s been a month. No phone calls, no texts, and no letters. The killer is probably gone now. Maybe he was here for the summer—someone who Rachel offended—and now she’s gone and we haven’t heard a single word since that week. I am going to assume the killer is gone. That's my stance on this.”
“You know what they say about assuming things.”
Her brow knit. “No, what?”
“Nothing.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m just not taking chances. I want to solve this so we can move on. I don't want to always feel like I need to look over my shoulder or check behind the shower curtain, you know? Like what if the killer is watching us and waiting for that perfect moment, like he did with Rachel? What if there are traps being set, and we can’t see them until it’s too late? He did say there was a pattern to the deaths. We need to find the link between Rach and Mr. Henning.” Plus, I wanted Ashton back at school.
