“I don’t recall that,” Emma said.
“I do,” Jennifer added. “I remember everything, including my numerous misdeeds.”
Christine cackled and exchanged a pointed look with Jennifer.
Daniel reasoned the pair must be unaware of the severity of the accident to speak so freely in front of him. If they knew the extent of Owen’s injuries, they wouldn’t dare utter anything remotely unkind for fear of implication. Professional experience had taught him that much.
“Liz was one of a kind,” Daniel added with a smile, glad for this thoughtful remembrance. “Her patience was almost supernatural. She never rushed anyone and could sit in silence all day if that’s what the other person needed.” He’d been the recipient of that kindness more than a few times in their youth.
“Really? Owen ignored you?” Margaux asked, changing the subject. “He helped me with my luggage. He was very friendly. He told me he was excited to catch up with you.”
“When was that?” Daniel asked.
“Shortly before the rain, I guess?” Margaux tipped her head to the side, tapping a finger to her chin. “He saw me struggling to lug everything down the path and rushed to help. I probably would have made two trips if he hadn’t stepped up.”
“When did everyone else arrive?” Daniel asked.
“I must have been first,” Emma said. “Because our cabin was empty when I got there.”
“We drove in together,” Christine said. “Our families are vacationing together this year, so we took my car and left our husbands and kids with Jennifer’s van.”
“Where is that?” Daniel asked.
“The Dells,” Jennifer and Christine said in unison.
“I’m not sorry to be missing this portion of our family trip,” Jennifer said. “Our next stop is the upper peninsula as we take a tour of the Midwest before looping back home.”
“Where is home?” Daniel asked.
“New Jersey,” Jennifer and Christine said as one again.
“Margaux, how did you arrive here?” Daniel asked.
“A driver,” Margaux replied as if it was obvious.
She definitely wasn’t the outcast he remembered. While she still didn’t seem to meld with Jennifer and Christine the way he’d expect, given their similar backgrounds and upbringings, she lived a far different lifestyle to him and Emma.
Emma yawned and covered her mouth. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” Daniel said.
He scanned the mess hall. Most of the room had emptied during their conversation. He’d tuned out the rest of the world in Emma’s presence. For everyone’s safety, he’d had to do a better job at staying aware of his surroundings. He couldn’t focus solely on her.
“Can we head to the bunk? Let Emma get some rest?” Margaux asked, rising off the bench.
Rhetorical questions. She was used to getting her way and being in charge. Daniel nodded. “Sure. I’ll be around, if you need me. Please stick together. All of you.”
Emma flashed him a tired smile. “Thank you.”
He nodded and stood, stepping to the side to let the women pass. Following them out of the mess hall, he watched the group walk to their cabin, the first one off the path nearest the mess hall. The cabin door swung shut.
Daniel headed to his SUV. Cell service remained patchy in these woods. Decades later and technology still hadn’t reached them. He was better equipped in his patrol vehicle with internet. He’d do a deep dive into Margaux. The note she had found was vague and could have been intended for anyone. It was a potential lead. Or a massive wrinkle. He’d find out which.
Four
Emma slipped out of the cabin on tiptoes, careful not to let the screen door snap shut behind her. After her chaotic night, she’d slept hard, falling asleep the moment she hit the pillow and not waking once. She was grateful. Dreamless sleep was precious. She hadn’t had the foresight to unpack her bag when she’d arrived. Her vintage portable CD player was somewhere deep in her luggage. For once, she hadn’t needed the assistance to rest.
But when her eyelids fluttered open at five, she couldn’t stay in bed. Every nerve ending was alert and eager for action. Daniel had told them to stick together. She’d rather not stew on what had happened last night as the others slept in now. Instead of rustling on the top bunk, she found a sweatshirt and her sneakers and headed out in search of coffee.
