Page 67 of They Say a Girl Died Here

“A little. I rolled it. Still weak from landing funny going over the cemetery fence.” She could already feel it swelling in her shoe.

“How come you came to the farm? I thought you were looking after your grandma.”

“I am. I was. But Doc Burdett is there now. Thought I’d surprise you.” She half laughed, trying to be normal. “But fair to say it was me who got the surprise.”

“I’m so sorry, Anna. I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe the fucker’s drinking again. Going off the rails. He’s going to kill the business, I know it. Won’t let me get anyone in to help. That farm is all we have.”

Her mouth trembled, and suddenly Anna almost forgot all her own problems and wanted only to make her friend’s world better. She couldn’t, though. Melissa’s life was about to get a whole lot worse. She was going to lose both her uncle and her father to prison. And then Lila’s and Bonnie’s families might bring a civil lawsuit and that would take the farm for sure. Anna’s heart was breaking for her. Melissa was tough, but how was she going to get through this? She couldn’t even go to her mom; there was no way she’d join a cult.

Maybe Anna’s own mom would let her stay with them, but Anna couldn’t imagine Melissa wanting to do that. It would be hard for Melissa not to see Anna as central to the collapse of her life. The ripples of trauma were becoming a tsunami.

“It’s not your fault. None of it is. I should have stayed home.” Anna could barely look at Melissa. “I’m really sorry, but all I want to do now is shower and go to bed.”

“No problem, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I’ll come in and say hi to the doc and then head out. I need to check on Dad anyway.”

“Cool. Thanks.”

They rode in silence after that, neither quite sure what to say to the other, smoking their cigarettes down. Anna flicked hers out the window as they passed the cemetery, watching it tumble and toss on the wind like a firefly. “It’s got to rain tonight,” she murmured. “It has to.”

“Amen to that.” Melissa pulled the truck up, parking alongside the doc’s. Lights were on in the hall and the living room, and Anna could almost cry with relief that he was already there. Maybe she should ask Melissa to stay. If her dad showed up, maybe Melissa would be able to talk him down from murder. Maybe they were all going to be safe after all.

She climbed down cautiously from the truck, gingerly attempting to put weight on her ankle. It was bad, but not too bad, and she took a few careful steps. The pain was still there, a throb now rather than a stab after the few minutes’ rest. It was twisted, but nothing was torn or broken.

“I’ll follow you in,” Melissa said. “If you can manage those stairs by yourself. I want to check the rear tire. It felt off on that track. I went over something following you and I’m hoping it hasn’t done any harm.”

“I can manage. And thank you.”

“Don’t be crazy. I feel awful. Now shoo, get inside and get ice on that ankle.”

Anna looked up at the house. She’d never been so happy to see it.

82

Each of the steep steps made Anna’s aching leg muscles threaten to tear as the pain in her ankle grew, her adrenaline evaporating now she was back. They’d be safe as soon as the doc called the state police. The wind had fallen, but the pressure was dropping, rain had to be coming, and the air was glue around her as she stumbled onto the porch. She wanted a long hot shower and to sleep for a week. It was over. Please, god, it was over.

She pushed open the front door and hobbled inside, leaning one hand wearily on the cool wall, happy to see Dr. Burdett standing over in the far corner of the hallway.

“Thank you so much for listening to me,” she said, almost weeping. “I’ve got all the evidence. The file. We need to call the state police or someone from out of town.” Her mouth was dry, her voice hoarse after running and smoking, and she was a sweaty, dusty mess.

The doctor was standing beside Grandma’s old occasional chair that Mom had put there to make the space seem less empty. Caroline was curled up in it, asleep. Anna was relieved to see her, but something was off. There was no coat over her, and her arm hung limp over the side. A toddler might sleep like that while people were around and lights were on, but not a girl only a month away from becoming a teenager. He’d woken Caroline up to bring her home; surely the excitement would have kept her awake.

“Callie?” Her sister didn’t move and Anna took a step closer. Caroline didn’t look asleep. She looked unconscious. “Is she okay?”

“Where’s Melissa?” Dr. Burdett sounded as exhausted as she felt. She looked at him, questioning. Why was he ignoring her question? She saw the gun hanging by his side. Something felt wrong. Everything felt wrong. Why wasn’t he asking her a thousand questions about what she’d told him on the phone?

“She wanted to check a tire.” Her heart thumped harder. Oh no. Her skin prickled and she tried to keep her voice light. “How did you know Melissa was bringing me home? I didn’t tell you. And what’s wrong with Caroline?”

“I gave her a shot to make her sleep. She’s fine.” He gave Callie a shot. Anna’s stomach turned to water. “And Melissa’s here because I called her,” he continued. “I’m sorry, Anna.” He slowly raised his handgun, pointing at her. “This doesn’t bring me any joy.”

Brett Laverne’s words rang out in Anna’s head. Stay away from my daughter! If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay the fuck away!

She’d gotten the wrong Laverne.

Melissa’s dad’s words had been a warning, not a threat. He’d been trying to help her. To scare her away for her own good. When he went to grab her tonight, had that been to keep her safe?

The front door opened and Melissa came through it, her kohl-smeared eyes bright with nervous excitement, a softball bat at her side making her bracelets rattle, and something else, something plastic-looking tucked into her baggy jeans pocket.

“Sheriff’s coming up the road. Full house.”