It’s almost comical the way she jumps when I turn on the overhead light. How with wide eyes she spins to face me. Her phone is in one hand and a short knife in the other. Guess it’s what she was trying to bust the lock with, but now she’s holding it in front of her body for protection. Oof.
I don’t say anything.
She licks her lips. “You’re a really light sleeper.”
“Yeah.”
“I told you I was broke.”
“That’s why you opened the door to them,” I say. “You’re working for them. Have you been recording our conversations?”
“There’s a release form I need you to sign.”
“I should have been more suspicious about the pancakes and bathroom cleaning. Doing chores was never really your thing.”
She snorts.
“I knew the timing was weird, you turning up here like this, and I still asked you to stay.” I shake my head. “Get out of my house.”
“You can’t throw me out in the middle of the night.”
“Of course I can.”
“Grandma would—”
“Be fucking furious at you for this and you know it.”
Her mouth is small and tight. But she doesn’t bother trying to deny it. “You have to sign the release. I need the money. It’s notlike there’s even anything that bad on there. What little you said was pretty rational, actually.”
“Thanks,” I reply drily. “That means a lot coming from you.”
“The documentary’s going ahead whether you like it or not, Sidney. And they’re desperate for information on you. I don’t know how many thousands they’d pay you for a proper interview. But they’re not the only ones willing to hand over money. You’re an idiot for not getting what you can out of it. For not at least countering their bullshit arguments.”
“If you think it’s such bull, why are you pointing that knife at me? Do you think I was involved in the killings?”
Nothing from her on this point. But what she does say is, “We’re family. Signing the release is the least you can do.”
“You really believe that, don’t you?” I ask in wonder. “Get your shit and get out of my house.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
My cousin doesn’t waste any time. Neither do the podcasters for that matter. Turns out they’re not just in town doing the documentary. A new episode of their podcast drops the very next day when we’re on our way back from Underhill State Park.
Muriel, Hana, and I have been there before for our mission. But it’s reasonably close to town and worth another visit just to be safe. Nothing stood out to me, though. I don’t remember anything in particular about the place.
Though today wasn’t a complete waste. It was good to get out. And the dog is living his best life—going on walks and soaking up attention from everyone. We also spent quality time together. Just the four of us, with a strawberry and rhubarb pie that had the most amazing crust.
But back to the podcast we play on our way home.
Vermont doesn’t seem to have any laws about recording someone. Whether it be an in-person conversation, over the phone, or electronic messaging. Consent from one of the parties involved sort of makes it legal, as I understand it. However, I had an expectation of privacy since the communication happened in my home. Which is why Grace wanted me to sign the release. Lack of it leaves the documentary makers open to a possible civil suit from me. Though certain federal laws could also kick in and further complicate things, apparently.
I don’t know. Ithinkthat’s how it all works. There hasn’t been time to talk to my lawyer yet. So this information all comes courtesy of some middle-of-the-night internet searches. But the podcasters must basically agree with me since they don’t play the recordings taken by Grace. They rely on her to repeat both the salient facts and insinuations.
A brief recitation of our childhood years kicks off the episode. All of those summers we spent together. It blows my mind how complete strangers could be interested in any of this. That they could be invested in the nonsense we did when we were eight. But they eventually reach my college years and the unraveling of my life, and so on.
“Sidney hasn’t moved on from that poor woman’s death or the court case,” says Grace. “These events still very much dominate her life.”
“In what way?” asks one of the podcasters.
