Lake Hollow Fears (Lake Hollow #2)
1. Chapter One
Chapter One
Remington James
N o one moves.
Tension fills the room for several seconds like a paused detonation.
My hand still clings to Wilder’s as he rests the other on Carlotta’s arm. Her life was cut short because she was a threat. She figured out someone’s secrets.
One of the men I have feelings for is a monster.
It’s difficult to think clearly as I keep my back to Cal and Charlie. The two I should be comforting. Wilder leans in and whispers, “Act normal. Whoever did this is watching you… don’t become the next target. Act like you normally would.” He drops my hand stepping away.
Pretending shouldn’t feel like a struggle.
But the shock of the letter rattles me.
How could she be so sure? What did Carlotta find out? They were teenagers when three summers of drownings happened in Lake Hollow. How is that possible?
I can’t make sense of it. My idea of a serial killer… cruel, taunting, soulless eyes, dead emotions, and apathy, don’t coincide with a single one of these men. Not in the least.
Someone’s tears are for show right now, but there is no indication of who they are. It’s unnerving.
Staff come and go to unhook machines, speaking to Grady as they do. I shouldn’t be here. I’d never even met Carlotta, the fact I’m standing at her bedside with five men she was close to is jarring. I default to finding a purpose, to help in any way I can. Charlie has an arm around Mitchell trying to guide him from the room, I take his other side. “Hey, Mitch, let’s go have a seat out here…,” I say, my voice unnaturally squeaky. Charlie mouths, ‘Thank you’ his eyes red from crying.
Cal trails after us down the hallway to a family room. I keep myself occupied with handing tissues to Mitchell, pretending to listen to him as he goes on and on about ‘ What am I going to do ?’ ‘ Who do I have now? ’ Charlie hangs his head when Mitchell says these things because he’s here. His big brother that has been trying to help him is being disregarded completely. Standard for the Mitchell I’ve been exposed to since we arrived in Lake Hollow. He’s wrapped up in himself totally.
I’m avoiding the inevitable, by not meeting Charlie or Cal’s eyes. Bending near me, Cal asks, “What’s going on, Rem… why did you show up here with Wilder?” The hand he has resting on my back rubs in a circle. Our intimacy now makes all my new suspicions feel like another betrayal. I’m keeping secrets from both Cal and Charlie, and they just keep piling up.
There has to be a better explanation… neither of them could be responsible. Grady? Why in the hell would she ever suspect her own nephew?
No. There is no way it could be any of them.
An urgency to get back to Carlotta’s downtown offices to find her ‘proof’ takes hold. We need to find it right now.
“Wilder? Uh, yeah. I… can we talk about this later?” Not a natural liar, I fumble to put off the ‘talk’ explaining my sudden alignment with their enemy. Maybe some elaborate story will unfold in my head to tell him because right now I’m drawing a blank. Last thing Cal knew I was irritated with Wilder.
Charlie interjects, “Hey, I have to step out to call my parents back.” He kisses my head lightly and says to Cal, “Now isn’t the time to talk about Wilder. Do you mind sitting with Mitch until I’m back?”
Neither of us are excited to sit and listen to Mitchell feel sorry for himself.
Grady can be seen speaking to one of his aunt’s doctors from the room we’re sitting in. His body language consistent with a grieving person; his shoulders slumping, wiping at his eyes, with his arms wrapped tightly around himself. I start to focus on the rooster I’d drawn on my ankle. It beats trying to analyze Grady, dodge Cal’s eye contact, or placate Mitchell.
Wilder where are you?
Hearing Ceily gives me the reprieve I need as I murmur mostly to myself, “I’ll be back.”
With Keenan in tow, she shuffles down the sterile white hallway leaning on her cane for support. As she gives Grady a hug offering her condolences, my bestie Keenan is making a fool of himself. Fawning all over Grady. I’m surprised he doesn't launch himself into his arms and declare his undying love right on the spot.
“Oh honey,” Ceily leans back looking up into Grady’s gorgeous face. “Lala was so proud of everything you have accomplished. She was looking forward to seeing you perform this summer.” She was? Why would she think he’s guilty of murdering people then? “She would just go on and on about your music. Has a whole wall in her office dedicated to you.”
No, no she doesn’t. Not anymore if she once did.
I feel sick. Trying to pin suspicions on a man that I’m more than a little invested in, feels vile.
His aunt took down all the memorabilia she had of him in her office… or someone else did, I remind myself.
Grady sniffs wiping away tears under his eyes, “She was the only person in my life that always supported my music.”