Chapter One
(20 years later)
Honey Bolder heard the distinctive crunch.
Her pulse began to clammer.
Unfortunately, her reaction came too late. Nevertheless, she dropped her phone and tried to look innocent. She heard her mother’s voice. Dammit, Honey. Not again. You know better than to text and drive.
Slowly turning off the engine, feeling sheepish yet giggly, she headed to the front of the car. There she saw that she’d indeed hit the wooden fencing put there for the teachers to park in front of. Blasted hell. Not again. Second time this month she’d have to get a section replaced.
Bending over, pushing her mass of blonde curls to the back, she lifted the broken portion and shoved it back together with the piece still attached. It seemed to hold, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe she could get away with no one noticing.
Thankful that she’d decided to get to the school early this morning, she peeked around to see if she’d been spotted. The fleeting thought that maybe she could park somewhere else and not get blamed for the damage dissolved when she saw the other teachers arriving.
Shit.
Her bestie, Melanie, headed in her direction wearing a huge grin.
Honey held up her hand. “Don’t say it.”
“What? Say what? Oh, you mean the dangers of texting while driving. Me? Why would I bring that up?”
“You saw me?”
“You mean when you pulled into the school grounds furiously texting away like one of the kids we teach with shit for brains. That I did.”
“It was my mom.”
“Tell that to the judge when you run over someone’s dog or kid.”
Honey knew she shouldn’t be offended but she was. “I’d never do that. And it was just a quick response.”
“Well, you know what they say. All lawbreakers start small and eventually they become more and more delinquent.”
Honey saw the gleeful look in her friend’s eyes and made a scoffing sound. “Fine. Have your fun. But just remember, I have the goods on you too.”
Melanie played along. “Like what? I’m perfect… so it can’t be all that bad. Nothing like destroying school property.”
“How about carrying on with another teacher in the library when you thought no one was watching. Hmm? What about that?”
“What? We were discussing books.” Melanie’s grin looked absolutely wicked.
“Yeah? Well it must have gotten pretty heated because when you came out, your blouse buttons were cockeyed.”
“Since you’re the only witness, it’s a “she said, she said” argument. And I’d be forced to say you’re blind as a bat without your glasses, which I don’t recall seeing you wearing.”
“I don’t wear glasses.”
“Maybe you should.” Mel pointed at the damage. “On the other hand, I’m not alone in observing your transgression today.” Melanie pointed behind Honey. Laughing now, she said, “Good morning, Fred.”
Aw shit!
Honey turned and saw the principal approaching. “I can explain.”
Fred looked at Melanie’s gleeful face and then at Honey. He sighed comically. “I don’t want to know. Just get this one repaired same as the last time and quit playing with your phone when you’re supposed to be parking.”
“Fine.” Honey stomped to her car to get her purse, pick up her phone from the floor where it landed, then joined Melanie. Just as they started walking toward the school, they heard the thud of the post falling to the ground.
Honey refused to look back, but she did flinch… so much so that her friend broke into peals of laughter. “You’re such a dweeb. God, I love you.”
Laughing, Melanie hooked arms with Honey and led her through the high school entrance to the large teacher’s lunchroom where they stored their belongings in lockers. As they went, Melanie asked, “So what did your mom want now?”
Honey sighed. “She’s out of butter.”
“Goldarn it, girl. When are you gonna cut that woman loose from your apron strings? She turns to you for the smallest things. Can’t she just walk to the store and buy some for herself?”
“Nope. She’s hiding from her next door neighbor. Remember, I told you about Bernie Horwitz. She says he came onto her. And she’s scared he’ll try again if he catches her in her yard.” Honey tried to cover up the discouraging note in her voice. “I’ve told you before how Mom used to be. She was the strongest of us all during the year we like to forget. But since her stroke, she suffers from depression.”
“So what does this Horwitz do that makes her think he’s flirting?”
Honey slouched and put her hand on her hip. “Honey – that man is always bringing me flowers and telling me jokes. I-I just don’t like his-his attitude.”
Melanie laughed at Honey’s syrupy, singsong voice while describing the situation… the same tone her mom used when she wanted to get her way.
“You’re just a pushover, is all. I bet you texted you’d be getting her some butter at lunch. Which means, you’ll be on the road almost the full hour instead of putting your feet up like the rest of us. How many times do I have to tell you, we need time-out after dealing with the monsters all morning?”
Honey chuckled. “We do get frazzled sometimes, don’t we?”
“Frazzled? Sometimes? Speak for yourself.”
“Come on. It’s not that bad. Every once in a while I actually see real interest in the students, and it spurs me on.”
“You meant to say… a few of the nerds. Most just put in their time and give no effort at all.” Melanie’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“You’re still mad about Victoria. She hasn’t come around?”
“Not even a little. That girl’s smart… always did well in school, and then this year it’s like she became another person.”
“It’s been noticeable.” Honey’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve tried to get through to her too, but she just shuts me down. Lately, she’s come to school with bruises more than once. When I asked her about it, she had these long explanations for some weird accident. The first time, I believed her, but lately, it’s been suspect. I’m thinking she’s covering something up. If I didn’t know her parents and how much they cared about her, I’d be pushing it further.”
“I know, right? Now, she’s taken to wearing all these huge sweaters and long pants in the middle of summer. What worries me more is how glued she’s become to her phone. I’ve caught her crying while she was scrolling the posts on Instagram. When I asked her if there was a problem, she pasted a smile on her face and said everything was fine.” Mel looked at Honey. “How can we help her if she doesn’t reach out or at least meet us halfway when we try?”
Honey’s lips tightened before she added, “I’ve been watching some of the horrible garbage the kids have been putting on social media. It’s depressing… downright bloody harassment. I’ve had to speak to more than one parent just this week. Don’t know what’s prompting this bullying but I sure wish these people would step up and control their kids online.”
Once they arrived at the teacher’s room, their chat got put on hold so they could greet the others. Soon, Honey became involved in a discussion with the coach enquiring about her activities.
“How are you enjoying the jujitsu classes, Honey?”
“Not sure I’d say enjoying is the right term. It takes me days to recuperate. Then I’ve got karate to beat me up all over again. I can’t believe I let you talk me into doing both classes this year.”
“Honey, you’re in such good shape that it’s a shame for you not to be trained. I can already see the difference in your muscle tone.”
Honey secretly agreed with that remark. She’d seen a difference herself, and truth to tell, she felt a hell of a lot better than she had in years. Turns out, she had an aptitude for martial arts and quick reflexes which always kept her ahead of the others. Plus it got her out of the house and away from her mom a few evenings a week.
Soon, they were interrupted by the sounds of the students crowding into the hallways and the confusion marked the beginning of another workday.
It was during her second history period that Fred arrived to speak to her. He motioned her to the door. “Honey, a Detective Lansdale called and wants you to go into the station.”
Stunned, Honey questioned him. “Why? Did he say? Is it my mom?”
“All the message said was that you should ask for him.”
Honey spoke her thoughts out loud. “He’s the detective that took over my sister’s case.”
“Your sister? Katrina? Wasn’t she killed years ago?”
“Yes.” She looked into his kind face, and before she could ask to be excused, he beat her to it. “Go. I’ll take over this class and if need be, I can call in a substitute for the rest of the day.”
Honey almost hugged the man. “Thanks Fred. I’ll try and get back later and if not… tomorrow for sure.”
“Just let me know.”
***
Honey stumbled out of the precinct, her tears flowing freely now. She’d kept it together throughout the update with the detective in her sister’s case but as soon as she gained the sanctity of her car, she let loose.
When her sister died, Honey had only been ten. Yet she’d hounded her parents to get answers for why her sister had been killed. They’d always been so evasive that she’d never been able to let it go.
When she became older, she’d go to the precinct herself every so many months and question them about what they’d done in the case… scared if she dropped it, they would too.
The thought of Katrina’s death being stuck in a cold case file with no one caring didn’t sit right. Though her parents had moved on, she just couldn’t.
Suddenly, being called into the police station, she’d fretted about the summons the whole way… turns out she was right. Shock awaited and she wasn’t sure how to deal with it. They had new evidence to share, evidence that shook her to her core.
They now knew that one of her mother’s former students had been the perpetrator. He’d been jailed eight years ago for rape and second-degree murder of another woman and recently found out he was dying from a rare form of terminal pancreatic cancer. Before he’d succumbed, he’d begged for forgiveness and told his doctor that he and another fellow had been responsible for Katrina’s death. Unfortunately, he’d refused to name the other killer.
Honey knew that her beautiful sister didn’t deserve to die the way she had… brutalized and left to bleed out in a dark alley behind her apartment building… that is until the confession of a dying man changed things.
Not sure of how this new information would be handled, she asked the aging detective, “This is a good lead, right? Can you find out the names of the people he ran with back then? Maybe learn the identity of the other killer?”
“We’re already on it. Seems the boys he knew are scattered all over the state. But the most likely culprit is a musician.”
“Here in Nashville?”
“Not sure. We’ll be checking out places on and around Broadway.”
So close.
Feeling her legs weaken, she’d leaned on the side of his desk and noticed they’d stuck a typed list of honky-tonks on a link chart. The bars were all on Broadway with a yellow marker highlighting one place.
Thinking the underlined place had something to do with their investigation, she demanded an answer. “Which one?”
“Uh huh. That’s not something you need to know. We’re taking care of it, Miss Bolder.” The detective stepped forward while sweeping a hand aimed at the door. “We’ll keep in touch.”
When she hesitated, he courteously took her arm to lead her toward the exit. His determined attitude made Honey decide not to push things. Besides, she needed to be alone to adjust to this latest news. Maybe… just maybe after all this time, they would find the man who’d made her young life unbearable.
Sitting in her car with her head on her arms hugging the steering wheel, Honey remembered her sister’s kindness. Her belief in the goodness of people made a person feel like they were important to her... that their happiness mattered.
As far back as Honey could remember, she’d adored Katrina both as a sister and a surrogate mom. And as the years passed, it thrilled her how much they looked alike. She’d been told many times they could have passed for twins.
***
Suddenly, she was ten again. The day in question, Katrina hadn’t arrived for the weekly Sunday dinner at their parents’ home. The need to appear for this meal every week was deeply instilled in her family. In fact, Honey and her older brother had been excited to spring a surprise weekend treat for Kati’s birthday.
Living with a mom who cooked like an angel, they all looked forward to these incredible meals every week. Only traveling or sickness could keep Katrina away.
When she didn’t show up that day, they’d instantly suspected a problem. Worried, her father had left the house to drive to her apartment and met up with the local police who gave him the horrible news of her death.
Because of the age difference, Kati had been more like a mother to Honey than an older sister. The thought of living without her was unbearable. Devastation ruled her heart for many months. She had so many questions that no one would answer.
The next year passed filled with sorrow. Honey and her brother, Philip, were there when her father suddenly took ill and died within a month, doubling their grief.
Finally, her mother had been the one to put them back together. She’d cooked their favorite meal and commanded them to speak up and say what they’d loved most about their missing family members.
Once they’d lifted glasses of sparkling apple cider in a toast, her mom had spoken firmly. “From now on, we live life normally, in the way our Kati and Jay would have wanted us to. No more crying, nor ignoring our family customs, and no more living in the past. I want us all to move on. Got it?”
Her steely gaze moved from one to the other and stayed longest on Honey. “No more mourning.”
Though Honey had felt shocked at this cavalier attitude, there was no way she’d rebel, and so she’d nodded.
Her mother’s attitude softened and in a teary voice, she admitted, “Kids, I miss us… being happy. Let’s be a close family again. I expect us to continue gathering on Sundays with whoever you want to bring home. I’m happy to cook as long as you do your part and show up smiling.”
After that meeting, things went back to a new normal. No one ignored Katrina’s or Jay’s existence anymore; rather they talked about them often, bringing them into their conversations in a healthy way.
Honey never admitted to the others about the driving need she felt to solve the mystery of Katrina’s death. Not surprising, it had taken a paramount place in her mind, never letting up. Finally, when she grew older, she decided to visit the police station and demand to know what steps had been taken to find her sister’s murderer. As the years passed, she continued to visit the same detective on the case. And because of her insistence, he’d begun to take her seriously.
Once she finished her local education, following in her mother’s and Katrina’s footsteps, she’d gone to teacher’s college and soon took a job at the same high school, working with some of the teachers that had been there during her sister’s time. Sneakily, she’d pumped them for information about Katrina, but no one could remember anything of any importance, except to say that when she’d moved from the lower grades to the high school level, she’d found it a lot more demanding.
***
Noticing that it was still lunchtime, Honey knew she couldn’t go home and let her mom see her in this state. Instead, she decided to return to school. Working would keep her mind active and give her the needed space to calm herself.
As she drove, she experienced a sensation of futility and hated how it made her feel. Could she do anything to get answers? With the summer flowers sprouting everywhere, she knew it would soon be their vacation. Wondering if she’d be able to do her own investigating into the information she’d just learned, she opted to concentrate on getting through these next few weeks and make some plans.
On arriving back at the school, she noticed a group of kids hovering around, shrieking offensively at whatever they were watching. Pushing her way forward, Honey saw it was exactly what she’d thought it would be… another fight. This had become a constant occurrence, and she was sick of it.
Three girls were kicking the shit out of the fourth who’d rolled into a ball on the ground trying to protect herself. Having to break up battles with teens wasn’t an easy task but she dove in without hesitation.
Grabbing the one closest by the arm, she swung her away and shoved her finger in the kid’s face warningly. “Stay there.” Pointing at the rest of the agitators, she warned, “Keep back.”
Then she rushed to get in between the other two and their victim, shoving each away so they couldn’t kick or hit anymore. Once she had their focus on her, she gave them an order. “That’s enough. What the hell are you thinking? Tansy, three against one. Are you insane?”
“Stay out of this… Honey. That bitch was making goopy faces at my boyfriend. We don’t take kindly to that shit.”
Not putting up with the sarcasm, Honey corrected the little witch. “It’s Miss Bolder, and I don’t give a good goddamn if she slept with your guy, you’ve got no right to beat on her with three others. That’s total BS and you know it. I’m citing you for this. Go to the principal’s office and wait there for me.”
The smug arrogant miss in front of her just laughed. Shaking her head, she stood her ground. “Not that simple, Miss Honey. I got a right to defend myself, and this girl started it. There’s witnesses.”
Again with the Honey. Jesus, sometimes a person just couldn’t get through the idiotic, thick skulls of the teens today.
Honey scowled. Her eyes glowered until Tansy looked away. Then she spoke in her best teacher’s voice, dripping sarcasm. “Right. Victoria started it. Sure she did. All alone, she decides to take on three of you by herself. Give me a break.”
Pointing at the crowd, Tansy Bitmore sneered while daring Honey to argue. “Ask anyone. They’ll tell you. We didn’t do nothing.”
“You want me to believe that Victoria got those bruises and cuts on her face all by herself. That’s insane. Go! Now! Get to the principal’s office or don’t any of you bother coming back to school. I’ll be calling all your parents.”
Suddenly, the show-off got a nasty look on her face and stabbed her finger into Honey’s chest. “I wouldn’t do that if I was you. Just let it go. You hear?”
In seconds, Honey had the girl’s finger in her hand and was twisting it so that Tansy had to bow down to keep the pressure off.
“Don’t you ever point your finger at me again. And you’ll do as you’re told or leave.” Pushing the girl away, Honey turned her back and crouched beside the girl still in a fetal position on the ground.
Before she knew what would happen, the sudden gasps of the crowd alerted her, and she swiveled in time for the knife to swing through the air rather than into her back. Now she was pissed. But before she could retaliate, the guard appeared and took over. He restrained a furious Tansy, and it took all his strength.
“You’ll pay for this. I’ll get you both, see if I don’t.”
Wrenching her in front of him, the guard spoke harshly. “Enough with the threats. Just shut up, Tansy. Miss Bolder can press charges against you for attempted murder for Lord’s sake. I saw the whole thing and trust me… I’d be happy to testify.”
He crab-walked the struggling girl in front of him toward the school while the others in the crowd quickly dispersed.
Crouching again beside the lifeless girl, Honey brushed the oily hair away from her face. “Victoria, you okay?”
Shrugging off her hand the girl answered. “Why did you have to get involved? I would have been fine. Eventually, they get bored picking on me and leave me alone. Now, I’ll really be in for it. They’ll blame me for your interference.”
Struggling to get to her feet, Victoria went to walk away but Honey stopped her. “It’s not right what they did, Victoria. In fact, it’s against the law. You were brutally attacked; you could press charges.”
Victoria swung her way. “You gonna? Press charges? Yeah that’s what I thought. No one ever does. And they just get away with it. If a person does say anything, they’re the ones who suffer. Trust me, I know.”
“Not if we stick together. You want me to press charges, I will.”
Victoria lifted her face and stared into Honey’s, her swollen eye beginning to fill with more blood, looking worse than it had earlier. “You trying to make my life even more of a living hell than it already is?”
“I know it’s not my place to ask but I’m going to anyway. Why didn’t any of your friends stick up for you? Not everyone in the school is afraid of those girls.”
“The mean girls. The ones who don’t get mad… they get even. Doesn’t matter if a person is guilty or not. I never looked at her stupid boyfriend. He’s a loser just like the rest of them. But there’s no telling them the truth when they don’t care. They just wanted a rumble, and I was today’s victim.” She turned away but then swung back to add, “When there’s a fight, I don’t have any friends.”
“You’re telling me this happens a lot?”
“Fuck, Miss Bolder. Wake up.”
Shocked by Victoria’s language but unwilling to say anything, she tried to smooth the situation. “Right. Okay. We’ll talk again. Let’s get you into the nurse’s office. Then I’ll go and deal with this mess.”