“Spooky Hollow Road is where every one of these crashes occurred, and it was dark every time.”
“Your source tell you all that?”
I slump back in my chair, defeat washing over me.
Nick walks to the sink, grabs a cup from the cupboard to his right and pours a glass of water. He’s yet to answer my question, and the longer he remains quiet, the more my body shakes.
He makes his way back to the table, taking the seat across from me again, and slides the glass across to my hands that are folded and quaking on top of the table.
I recognize it as a peace offering—one I didn’t ask for but appreciate nonetheless.
“Thank you, Nick.” I take a sip, hoping it does the trick to calm my nerves.
“I want to make it clear that in no way am I saying I don’t believe you. All I’m suggesting is that your source might have ulterior motives.”
“They don’t.” My tone is even and my face is stone, which is a feat considering my current state of terrified.
Nick doesn’t scare me; the truth does. I’m sitting in his home, lying to him, because the reality is even less believable. My source is a dead man.
“I wouldn’t have come here if I wasn’t absolutely sure.”
“Between you and me, I’d let this one go, Alyssa. The case was closed by the family, and they’re good friends with the mayor. He insisted we drop the case.”
Richard Dunbar is a sleazy quack. The fact he was sworn into office is nothing short of criminal. It’s a prime example of Knox Harbor politics.
“His family deserves to know he didn’t die the way they think he did.”
“We don’t know that to be true,” he says, ever the pragmatic one.
My eyes close when the pounding in my head intensifies.
“Are you okay?” he asks, voice soft and kinder than necessary.
“Fine,” I answer, rubbing between my eyes, hoping it passes quickly. “I understand your predicament, but Nick, my source isn’t lying. They saw the red truck cause both Billy’s and Jackson’s accidents.”
“I’ll look into it, but in the meantime, no more digging on your own. If someone did cause these accidents and they get word you’re dragging up the past and they’re at risk of being caught, it could put you in danger.”
I hadn’t considered that piece. Not that I’m running around town sharing this with anyone. The story I’ve just sold him is entirely made up. But I do my part by looking worried and eager to follow his directives.
I nod, standing up and making my way to the door when that inner voice reminds me about Jenna. She needs the help more than Billy and Jackson at this point.
I twist back toward him, taking a deep breath.
“There’s one more thing my source told me you’d be interested in.”
He closes his eyes. “Okay.”
“They believe a body was buried out in Ansley in another wooded area, just off the road. County Road A.”
He groans. “Alyssa, I say this with all the respect in the world... please distance yourself from this source. For your own safety.”
Standing here in his house, knowing how he’s gone out of his way for me these past weeks, and how obvious it is that he truly is concerned for me, I feel it’s time I extend a proper olive branch. I’ve not exactly been the friendliest to him the past couple years.
“I promise, Nick. Thank you for listening.”
He offers me one of those rare smiles that reaches all the way up to his bright blue eyes. “Anytime.”
“And thank you for taking my trash down these past two years. I really appreciate it.”
