Page 59 of Dark Shadows

“Tina wants to do lunch tomorrow at the diner. You think it will be okay?”

“It should be,” Mason said.

She smiled. “You trust me not to run off and get myself in trouble.”

“I didn’t say that,” he teased. “I’m sure you have no problem finding trouble. My best friend is the same way, but you should see your friends. Just be vigilant. We might have caught one killer, but there’s still another one on the loose. I’ll drop you off and pick you up. Just don’t leave the diner.”

“Sure, Dad.” Savanah chuckled.

“You’re growing on me. I can’t have you being murdered under my watch. That would make me a really crappy future boyfriend.”

“You’re being presumptuous,” she said.

“Optimistic.” He grinned. “Don’t worry; the idea will grow on you.”

24

Richard's cabin sat on the edge of town. Its wide windows overlooked the lake. He stood hunched over a workbench on the porch.

He glanced in their direction as they drove up the driveway and parked.

He turned off a machine and removed his goggles, wiping the sawdust off his worn flannel shirt.

“You can wait here,” Savanah told Mason, but he shook his head.

“I've got your back.”

They climbed the porch steps together, boards creaking beneath their feet. Richard set the goggles down.

“Savanah?” His voice was rough.

He'd aged since she'd left, gray threading his dark hair, new worry lines etched around his eyes.

“Hi. Sorry to barge in, but can you spare me a minute? We should talk.”

“Of course.” He nodded, gesturing to the door.

The cabin smelled of sawdust and coffee. Half-finished projects lined the walls: tables, chairs, boxes. All beautiful, all incomplete.

“Coffee?” Richard asked, already moving toward the kitchen.

“Please.”

Mason hung back, giving them space while staying close enough to intervene if needed. Richard's hands shook slightly as he poured three mugs.

“Mr. Duggar told us about you asking him to watch out for me,” Savanah said.

Richard grabbed creamer from the fridge and gestured to it. “Not sure if you still take it the same way as your mom.”

“Of course,” she answered.

“And you?” he asked Mason.

“Black is fine. Thank you.”

Richard took a sip of his coffee before sitting down at the kitchen table. “You were just a kid and spent a lot of time in that cemetery, talking to...” He stopped, glancing at Mason.

“Ghosts,” Savanah finished. “You can say it. He knows.”