Page 12 of Dead Man's Hollow

Michelle grits her teeth. They’ve been friends for a long time, but Lynn can be a judgmental bitch when she wants to be. She says, “You know, I’m not the only person who didn’t tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know what it means.”

Lynn goes quiet, and Michelle waits a beat. Then she shrugs.

If Lynn wants to make her say it, she’ll say it. “You’re the one who knew Rich and Heather had something going on. You never told.”

Lynn mutters, “That’s different.”

“Is it?”

“Come on, Michelle. Sure, we all played stupid games that summer, keeping things from the cops. But by the time we realized Heather wasn’t coming back, Rich and Amy had started dating. Her sister was missing. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t add to that by saying, by the way, your new boyfriend used to bang your little sister.”

“You don’t think she knew?”

This part, Michelle realizes with surprise, they’ve never talked about.

“No way,” Lynn’s adamant. “Have you forgotten was a goody-goody Amy was? Not as bad as Diana, but come on. She wouldneverhave gotten involved with Rich if she’d known. She’d have viewed it as a betrayal of her sister. And could you imagine the mess if she found out now after she’s been married to the guy for twenty-five years and has three kids with him?”

“Yeah, I guess. Or maybe it wouldn’t matter. It’s been a long time. She might laugh it off as water under the bridge.” Michelle knewshewouldn’t, but Amy might.

“Not unless she’s changed a lot. Did you know she called Julia to confirm she and Rich had broken up before she started talking to him? Who does that?”

She hadn’t known that. And, yeah, that seems extreme for a teenager. She doesn’t let it go, though. “Peopledochange, Lynn.”

“And what if she hasn’t? I can’t risk it. I’ll never forgive myself if I blow up Amy’s marriage now, just because I couldn’t tell the truth thirty years ago.”

“Okay.” She relents at the anguish in her friend’s voice, even though Lynncouldhave told the truth back then, just like Michelle could have. Just like they all could have. They could have faced the consequences.

“They have an anonymous tip line, you know,” Lynn says suddenly.

Michelle’s confused. “Who does? The cops?”

“No, the podcast.”

“I didn’t hear that, but I missed part of the trailer. I cut my finger and had to run to get a bandaid.”

“You shouldn’t be permitted to own sharp objects. You’re so distractible.”

They both laugh, the tension between them already forgotten.

“So, an anonymous tip line?”

“Yeah, it wasn’t in the trailer, but I read the show notes.”

Of course she did.

“I’m sure they’ll publicize it once the season starts, but the link’s already live. You can either leave a voice message or fill out a form.”

“Anonymously?”

“Anonymously,” Lynn confirms.

“Maybe we should say something,” Michelle suggests as her heart thumps wildly.

“Maybe,” Lynn agrees.