Beach Thriller(89)

My ragged breathing comes to a sputtering stop. I will myself to not think about water. Sure enough, the ache in my throat lessens some. I have to get the fuck out of here. No one is coming for me, so I have to rescue myself. But how?

I look up at the grate. If I can dislodge it from the wall, I could break the glass and wiggle my way through.

But first, I have to reach the damn thing. It’s far over my head. I try jumping, but my legs don’t have much spring. If I stretch my arms as high as I can, I still can’t reach above the bottom spikes.

There’s no way to tell if I can pull it off unless I can climb up there.

Before I can plot my next move, I’m caught off guard by a loud and powerful sneeze. The force scratches my raw, parched throat, but it also makes me think of Holly—how we first met because of my dust allergy.

I want to get back to her. Not just to warn her that Conrad is dangerous, but because … well, I guess because she’s the closest thing to family that I have.

I’m struck with a deep feeling of sorrow. I don’t open up easily. I don’t let anyone in. Closeness is pain. Caring is an illusion. That’s what I’ve learned about life. That’s the greatest lesson my parents taught me. But then … there’s Holly.

I guess you don’t realize how alone you’ve been until someone comes along and treats you with kindness.





Chapter 51

Holly




“Ethan, do you understand what this means? Someone set that fire. It’s proof that Anna was killed.” Holly’s voice trembled. “I need to find a safe place to hide this. Someone may have broken into my house—I’ll tell you about that later. My point is, I don’t know where to keep this.”

“Don’t worry, I put in a request to have the gas company resubmit their report. They’ve already sent it to the Beauport PD. I’ll hold on to this one—I can’t think of a safer place.” Ethan folded it up and slipped the paper into his wallet.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done. I feel like I might actually be able to get answers, after all these years.” Holly was awash with both relief and anticipation. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

“You don’t need to repay me. That’s what … friends do,” Ethan said uncertainly.

Holly suddenly stilled, trepidation sinking back in. She took a deep breath and said, “But some things don’t add up. I still don’t think you’ve been completely honest with me. You asked me out—on a date, it seemed—but I’m not the only woman in your life, am I?”

Ethan couldn’t meet Holly’s eyes. She feared the silence that followed her question spoke volumes.

“No, you’re not,” he whispered.

Holly’s throat constricted. She had hoped, really hoped, he would answer differently.

“There’s something I haven’t told you. I don’t know how you’ll feel about it, but you should know the truth. I have a daughter.” Ethan’s eyes met hers with emotion and vulnerability.

“I know that might scare you off. It’s a big responsibility. She keeps me on my toes, and it’s not easy getting involved with someone who already has a family. But she’s the light of my life.” He smiled with such pride and love that Holly’s heart overflowed.

“A daughter? Ethan, I thought you had a wife or a girlfriend or, well, God knows what. A daughter is wonderful. I’d love to hear about her. Is she the one who texted? And I wasn’t snooping. I just picked up your phone as a message from a woman named Colleen came through with a couple heart emojis.”

Ethan hung his head, as though ashamed of what Holly must have thought of him. He took her hand in his, her reservations washing away.

“I was worried you saw that text message and got the wrong idea. My daughter is eight, she texts from her mom’s iPad. She’s the sweetest kid you could ever meet. Looks a lot like Colleen—we’re divorced, by the way, no secret woman at home.” He laughed. “We share custody. My daughter’s name is Scarlet. It fits her vibrant personality, like the name was meant to be.” Ethan was grinning ear to ear.

But panic hit Holly. She glanced at her phone. It was after seven. Shit, Jade. She was on a mission, and she couldn’t be off schedule.

Ethan noticed her distraction. “Are you upset? About Scarlet?”

“No, not at all. She sounds wonderful. But I have a problem.”

Holly let go of all her lingering doubt about Ethan’s character and filled him in on Jade’s disappearance, her suspicions about the Carmichaels, and her risky plan for the evening.

“Well, I was hoping you’d be my date tonight anyway. That’s why I showed up dressed and ready for the beach ball.” He motioned to his summery, beachy attire. “We should go together. After all the work I’ve done at the estate, I know the Carmichael home inside and out. Go get ready. And trust me, if Jade is there, we’ll find her.”





Chapter 52

Jade




I bite my lip trying to hold back tears. It takes a minute, but I center myself. I’m not going to let these fuckers beat me. I’m determined to get to that window.

The tall wine rack suddenly looks a lot like a ladder. I start pulling wine bottles out of their slots, one by one, until the rack is mostly empty.