Chapter 6
Nicole
That standard cell ringtone, the kind half the world used, jolted me out of sleep. I sat straight up, disoriented.
It took a moment to remember where I was. My eyes adjusted slowly to the dark, and Lacey and Brian’s bedroom came into view. The old TV mounted on the wall across from me. The cramped space, which that large wooden dresser filled—the one I bought them for their anniversary.
Early morning light came in through the window.
I reached for my cell, almost knocking over my water glass. I blinked at the screen.
Unknown number. It was 5:31.
My heart instantly started racing.
Nobody ever called me from an unknown number at 5:31 a.m.
“H-hello?”
“Are you Nicole Kolter?” a young man’s voice came from the other end of the line.
“Yes. Who is this?”
“Ms. Kolter, my name is Officer James Nolan. I’m with the New Hampshire State Police. I’m calling regarding your daughter, Lacey Alderwyn.”
I froze as cold terror struck me.
“Let me first say that Lacey is alive.”
I gasped in relief. My child was alive. I would be able to keep living.
“She’s currently receiving medical attention for a head injury. She’s conscious but in shock.”
“What … what happened?”
“She was found earlier this morning near Lake Seekonk. A man—Zachary Nabb—was found near the scene as well … deceased.”
“De-wh-what?”
My hand shot to my throat. It was tightening quickly, making it hard to breathe or speak.
“Your daughter was found close to Mr. Nabb. Disoriented and injured. An ambulance transported her to North Pines Community Hospital in Cold Hollow. She’s stable.”
A strange silence seeped in. As if I was still sleeping and all this was just a terrible nightmare.
Only, it wasn’t.
“Ma’am?”
“Y-yes, sorry. Umm … can I talk to Lacey, please?”
“She’s currently being evaluated and isn’t speaking much.”
“But she’s okay? What happened?”
“Yes. She’s okay. But it would be better if you came up here so we can talk in person.”
“I’m leaving right now.”
