The Obituary Society

by Jessica L. Randall

  Lila stopped him. “And you probably have a concussion.” She wrapped an arm around him and they supported each other as they walked through the wheat field. As they joined the women in the street, red and blue lights flashed across the pavement. Lila stiffened and squeezed Ada's hand. “Why did you call the sheriff. We're not ready.”

  “It's fine,” Ada answered. We need to get her out of here.” She motioned to Erica, who was sitting up, with Matilda and Leona on watch. “Just make sure you tell Sheriff Larson that Asher got away. Then we'll take care of the other thing.”

  “But Max doesn't know,” Lila said, jerking her head toward Erica.

  “What don't I know,” Max asked, his eyebrows rising. “There's more?”

  Chapter 29

  Nightmare

  That evening Lila and Ada sat at the table listening to the kitchen clock tick. Lila's twisted ankle was propped up on a chair and packed with ice. She watched steam billow from two china cups as Ada poured hot water into them. A hot shower and a hefty dose of ibuprofen had taken the edge off, but Lila still ached with a weariness that penetrated bone, muscle and mind. Ada didn't look much better, even without the external injuries. Neither of them had the energy to get up, or the inclination to go to bed.

  Finally Ada spoke. “Do you want Chamomile tonight, dear? You need something relaxing.”

  “That sounds good,” Lila answered, taking the thin paper packet from Ada. She watched as deep brown seeped from the packet and tinted the water.

  “Are you angry at me for not telling you about David?”

  Lila plucked two sugar cubes from the bowl and dropped them in her cup, then stirred slowly, watching as they dissolved. “Of course not. That's a chapter of your life I'm sure you'd rather forget. And you were right; there were a lot of people involved. They were there to protect you, and you did the same for them. I've always wanted to be part of something like that.”

  “And you are, dear. Not the most pleasant of initiations.”

  Warmth dissipated the numbness in Lila's chest as it occurred to her that it might be possible to stay now that everything was out.

  Ada sniffed. “I'm sorry. I wanted so much to protect you. I thought this mess was over, until you started talking about the house and the pond being haunted and then I didn't know what to think.” She scrunched up her eyes. “You never told me what happened at the pond, come to think of it, but I suppose it was all Asher's doing.”

  Lila stared silently into her cup. Asher had said that had nothing to do with him. It certainly felt real. She couldn't explain it, nor could she explain why she had seen Uncle David among her hallucinations, but there was no need to upset Ada any more.

  “Then I got to thinking about Clint's death,” Ada continued. “I couldn't fit the pieces together, but I had a feeling it was all connected, and that the past was coming back to haunt us.”

  Lila scooted her chair over and wrapped an arm around Ada, then dropped her head on her shoulder.

  She bit her lip, hesitating, then said, “He was so sure there was something there. Erica was willing to kill for it, and even Clint believed. Do you ever wonder . . . ”

  “I guess anything is possible,” Ada answered. “I can't figure how they'd know something I don't. Like I said, we looked everywhere, and you've even had people break into walls, doing the electrical work. I think Asher was a troubled boy who believed the story his father told him. He clung to that when his father was gone, and it turned into an obsession; a way to feel connected to what he lost, or never had.”

  “Did you ever suspect, about David's affair?”

  Ada sipped her tea, then clinked her cup onto the saucer. “Of course it's a big shock to hear, all these years later. But I can't say I'm really surprised.”

  The kitchen door opened and Max stepped in, his face grim. He had replaced his glasses with a roundish pair that looked ridiculous. Under different circumstances Lila would have laughed.

  Ada placed a hand on Lila's. “I also wanted to say I'm sorry I put you in a position where you had to lie to the sheriff,” she mumbled.

  “She didn't.” Max's voice was a low growl.

  “What did you say?” Ada asked.

  “She didn't lie.” It occurred to Lila that he looked the kind of broken that went deeper than cuts and bruises.

  “What do you mean by that? Lila, you told him Asher got away, didn't you?” Ada looked stricken. “You didn't tell him the truth?”

  “I did what you asked me to, Ada. Max, are you okay?”

  Max sat down in a chair facing them. He added his hand to theirs and exhaled loudly. “I went to take the—Asher to his final resting place. He was gone.”

  Lila felt the blood drain from her face. Ada gasped. “That's not possible! He's dead. He has to be.” She pulled her hand out and twisted her fingers together. “Gladys's very good. It went off last time without a hitch.”

  He smirked, tight lipped. “Homicide can be tricky that way.” His eyes were hollow and hard. “What I wouldn't give for one more shot at him.”

  “What will we do?” Ada asked, placing a hand over her mouth.

  “There's nothing we can do.” Max leaned forward, crossing his arms on the table. “I'm sure he wouldn't stick around here.” His eyes darted away and he rubbed at the back of his neck, his motions stiff. “Erica can hold a grudge like anything. She'll testify against him if it will get her any leverage, and all of us know what happened. He won't dare come back.”

  Lila stood, feeling like she'd been put on autopilot. “I'm sure you're right. Ada, why don't we go to bed.”

  “With that crazy man out there?”

  Lila took her hand and helped her up. “Tomorrow we'll go to the sheriff and find out what he's doing to find Asher. We'll make sure everyone in town knows he's wanted for kidnapping and attempted murder. We'll get a security system and a gun if you want. But tonight we need to rest. Asher's injured anyway. He won't be coming after anyone.”

  Ada looked at Lila as if she were simple. “Sweetie, I already have a gun.” She patted Lila's face.

  Lila raised her brows. “Of course you do.”

  “I'll go make sure the front door's locked and put my nightie on, then.” Ada gave Max's arm a squeeze and shuffled away.

  Lila took Max's hand and led him to the kitchen door.

  “I'm not leaving you two alone tonight,” Max said, setting his jaw.

  “You can't leave Juniper and Gladys alone, either. What are you going to do?” Lila asked. “You can't be two places at once.” She stroked his face..

  The tension melted slightly. “Then I'll bring them over here. Juniper will love a big sleepover.”

  “If it makes you feel better, fine,” Lila said. “I'll get ready for bed and Gladys can sleep in my room. You and me and Junie can camp out in the living room.”

  His face broke into a grin, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. “That sounds like a good arrangement. I might have to strong arm Grandma, though. She'll say she's fine where she is.”

  “I wouldn't make her mad. I've seen what she can do. Tell her it's for me.”

  Max pulled her toward him. Lila laughed. “Wait.”

  “What now?”

  She pulled off the glasses. “I can't take you seriously with these on.”

  “There was a time when these were very fashionable. You always have to make things difficult.”

  “You should probably get used to it.”

  “I'd like that,” he said, then kissed her. “I'll be back as soon as I can.”

  After dead-bolting the door, Lila cleared and rinsed the teacups. She checked on Ada to make sure she was settling down for bed, then went up to change.

  She kicked off her tennis shoes in the dark and pulled off her jeans and sweater. She picked them off the floor with two fingers and flung them in the corner. Maybe she could burn them along with the huge pile of leaves in Ada's yard. She felt bad, knowing Leona had made the sweater especially for her, but she'd buy a new one
from her, one that looked completely different. There was no way to obliterate the horrible things she'd heard and seen that day, but burning the clothes she'd worn would be a start.

  She threw a cotton night gown over her head and collapsed on the bed in exhaustion. She wasn't sure she could even get back downstairs and settle everyone in bed when they arrived without a few minutes of rest. The problem was when she closed her eyes the image of the pale moonlit face crept into her mind. She tried to remember Max's face instead. Even with the bruises and swollen eye, the memory of kissing him for the first time was the one from this day she wanted to keep. But somehow, Asher's face kept returning.

  *****

  The ivory lids opened, and he was staring at her. His lips curled into a menacing smile. Then he was gone. She ran through the wheat in the darkness. It was a maze. But every path she chose led to a dead end, with Asher standing there, staring down into her face. Finally she found the end of the maze, saw lights shining outside the opening. Max stepped out. She ran to him and he held her. The scent of Old Spice was so strong it made her cough. She turned her head and Asher was breathing into her neck. “I'm not going anywhere,” he crooned.

  She woke up, breathing hard. She'd been dreaming. As she stared into the room, mentally arranging the monsters into logical explanations, she realized the hot breath on her neck remained. The scent of Old Spice had been replaced by alcohol and cinnamon, and something warm lay pressed up behind her. She turned, and found herself staring into Asher's face.

  She gasped and jerked away. Adrenaline stabbed her chest and coursed through her entire body.

  He pulled his right arm out from under him and grabbed her mouth, wincing in pain from the injury in his left shoulder. “Don't scream. You don't want Ada here for this.”

  She gulped and shook her head.

  He pulled his hand away.

  “How did you get in here?” She asked, her voice shaking.

  “I've been here for hours,” he answered. “While everyone was thinking about how to ditch my body I made myself at home right here.” His breath was still soaked with alcohol, and she guessed making himself at home included finding Ada's cooking sherry. “You look sweet when you sleep.” He stroked her hair, and her stomach crawled. “But I'm afraid you had a nightmare.”

  His chest was bare, and he'd wrapped a torn dish towel around his shoulder. “Don't worry, sweetie. It only grazed me.”

  “That's too bad,” she said, glaring.

  “I heard everything you said to Max earlier. When I searched for my father his trail went dead here. No one seemed the least bit interested in finding out what happened to him, which made me suspect they already knew. Thank you for helping me learn the truth. Now we can settle the score, you and I. A life for a life.”

  Asher sat up and pulled out a knife. It was cold against her throat.

  “Wait.” The word barely escaped Lila's throat. Asher's hesitation gave her courage and she spoke louder. “I can give you what you want.”

  “You can't give me my father back.”

  “But I can give you the money he wanted you to have.”

  “You're lying. You don't have it.”

  “I don't.” The blade pressed against her skin. “But I know where it is.”

  “Where?”

  “The pond. I'll take you there.”

  His laugh was scornful. “I'm not that crazy.”

  “It's true. When I was little my father told me about what Great-Grandpa kept hidden too. I was looking for it at the pond, the day I nearly drowned. I realized they'd never keep the money in the house, because there were people who knew about it. I suspected Ada had started the rumors about the pond to keep people away. So I waded in and found a big metal box.”

  “And this box is unlocked?”

  “Of course not. But Grandpa Isaac left the key behind. He must have always planned on coming back for it. I found it in the house.”

  “All right, Lila. I'll bite. If you're lying it won't take long to run this knife along your throat.” He smiled. “I need a clean shirt. I think you have one that might fit well enough.” Gripping her wrist, he jerked her off the bed.

  She steadied herself and walked to the closet to find Max's shirt. Asher put it on. “Can you help me with these buttons please, darlin'?”

  The shirt was tight, but she was able to pull the buttons together with shaking fingers.

  “Now the key.” She found her purse, and rummaged through until she felt the skeleton keys. She took them out and examined them, then selected one. Asher grabbed it and stuffed it in his pocket. “Let's go.”

  “Can you let me put some shoes on?” she asked.

  He nodded, and she went to the corner to retrieve them.

  “Ah ah—not those. You never wear the ones I gave you anymore.”

  Her hopes sunk. Flip-flops would be worthless for running, but they were better than nothing. She found them at the bottom of her closet and slipped them on. If she ever got the chance to make that bonfire, they would be the first to burn.

  Asher sifted through her clothes until he found a scarf, which he wrapped around her mouth and tied tight. “If you make a sound when we get outside, this game is over.” His voice caught with pain as he spoke.

  Asher strapped his good arm around her neck and she stumbled down the stairs in front of him. She slowed, taking care to move more quietly. She knew that any noise might bring Ada, and she didn't want to take her chances on whether or not Ada was a crack shot.

  They crept through the kitchen door and outside. She shivered in her light nightgown. The first breath of cold air cleared her mind and gave her energy to keep moving. As they passed through the large backyard, she kept glancing out of the corner of her eye, half afraid and half hoping that Max would return before they disappeared into the woods.

  All too soon they were within the tangled cover of trees. Leaves rustled underfoot, and twigs scratched Lila's bare arms and jabbed at the tender arches of her feet. All of her mental faculties were focused on controlling her body; the chattering of her teeth, the shaking of her arms and legs, putting one foot before the other without falling down. If she allowed herself to be swallowed up by fear or self-doubt, there was no chance of this ending well.

  Soon they reached the overgrown part of the trail. It had been traveled enough that it was better than her first journey through, but there were no green leaves to soften the sharp branches now. Asher let go of her and grabbed the back of the scarf tightly instead, as if holding the reins of a horse, so they could maneuver their way through. Lila held both arms up to clear their path and protect her face. She pulled one thick, flexible branch back and ducked her head quickly, stifling a laugh at Asher's yelp when it made contact.

  They broke through and saw the pond, shimmering silver in the moonlight, and reflecting the dark tangled shapes of the branches above. Lila breathed a sigh of relief that was quickly overcome by an uncontrollable shiver. The same eerie silence she remembered from her last visit pervaded the air.

  He untied the scarf. “Show me.”

  “I c-can't.” Lila's legs buckled beneath her. She looked up. Asher's eyes widened in rage. “I can't go in there.” The shrillness of her own voice sounded strange. “I don't have any strength left. I'm afraid I'll go under again. And the box is heavy. I barely pulled it out last time.” She sobbed, wrapping her arms around her head and rocking her body. “I can't take any more. Kill me if you want.”

  Asher reached down, roughly pulling her off the ground. He tied the scarf tightly around her wrists and dragged her to a tree, securing her to a thick, low branch. The fabric stung her wrists and her fingers began to tingle. He breathed into her face, his nose almost touching hers. “That depends on whether or not you're telling the truth.” Lila's stomach twisted.

  “If you're lying to me—”

  Lila's breath caught in her throat. “I promise,” she whispered. “What you're looking for, it's in there.”

  Asher removed his c
lothes, then found a long stick. He waded in, cringing and cursing the chilly water. He pushed the stick around in search of the metal box. Lila waited. Her breath was caught in her lungs. The moonlight shone gently on Asher's shoulders as he continued, the water reaching his thighs.

  “Where is it?” he yelled impatiently.

  “You're almost there.” The words sounded hollow as they floated across the water. She watched bubbles rise up around Asher. The scent of Old Spice wafted through her nostrils. Her head snapped up, and her heart felt like it would bust through her ribs. “Asher, get out! Get out now! I'm sorry. I can't let this happen.” She sobbed, trying to pull her wrists free until the skin burned and her shoulders ached.

  “Does that mean I'm close?” he shouted. “Or that you lied to me?” His voice became quiet and dangerous. “If you lied to me I'm going to take it out on Ada, and your boyfriend, and his bratty little girl. That'd kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Erica has some payback coming to her too.”

  Anger burned in Lila's chest. She extinguished it with a deep breath, and let the tension in her muscles release. She stared at him calmly. “Do you smell that?”

  His face contorted. “I know that smell.”

  “Your father wore it?”

  He closed his eyes and inhaled. “Yes.” He appeared to be deep in thought. His brows creased and his lids flew open. “He put it on extra heavy when he drank, as if that would cover the stench and the shame.” His face suddenly appeared boyish and vulnerable. His voice cracked as he spoke. “The worst moments of my life smelled like this. It was the first warning that something terrible was about to happen.”

  The air around them became heavy. It felt electric and alive, raising the hair on Lila's arms and buzzing in her lungs. The bubbles grew larger, and gurgled around Asher. His face froze in fear as the water rose around him, black as tar. It slithered against his skin like glistening snakes, wrapping around his arms, his legs, his neck. The image of his wide, fearful eyes before he was pulled down into the depths burned into Lila's mind. She was still screaming and sobbing, her hair wet and sticking to her face, when Max found her.