Page 48

CHAPTER 48

REDLEY

Later that afternoon, I head into town for the supplies I need for hours of hiking through treacherous mountain terrain. There’s a reason people avoid a very large section of this mountain. It’s profoundly steep, covered in cliffs like the earth cracked the mountain, and there are lots of places that are truly unsafe. It is profoundly beautiful, though.

I’m afraid to run into Wolf and his dad, but I’ll be as fast as I possibly can and keep my eyes out for trouble. They’re much more likely to spot me here and follow me to a secondary location anyway than they are to fully blow their cover and act in public. That will give me some time.

As I’m pulling back into town, I’m struck by a sight I’ve never seen before. A team of vans line the main street, and on the side of the road, men holding cameras, microphones, and those things on the sticks have gathered. There's a news crew in Grimm Groves.

For a minute, I just slowly roll down the road, staring at them moving and setting up an interview, but I can’t tell who it’s for. This may be the strangest thing I’ve ever seen. No one even knows about this town. Why would they come here now?

I never thought to call the news. We don’t get it out here.

When the fire station parking lot comes, I still don’t have any answers, and I’m forced to let it go or pull over. Given the fact I’ve been present for a cop’s murder, I think it’s wise to figure out why someone is trying to report on a town that no one even believes exists. My tires bounce as I meet the shoulder, and I put her in Park.

I jog back over to where they’re setting up, trying to keep my head down at first but quickly realize that’s pointless. Not a single person is looking in my direction. Everyone in town is out here trying to figure out what’s going on or waiting to smile for the camera. Giggles and blushes cover loads of faces, but waiting on the edge for her turn to speak to the crew is none other than Bobby’s widow. She’s not smiling. Well, shit, that’s not good.

I assumed if it was about me, it would be about the cop or the car, but it’s Bobby , and I guess that makes sense too. His wife is an out-of-towner and wealthy; his father left the mountain for the city, so connected people are involved. People who not only care about Bobby but believe in Grimm Groves and want to see justice. I’m not sure if I’m more shocked or disgusted that someone’s finally taking action, and it’s far too late. Kids died, and no one cared, so why now?

His widow’s blond hair and makeup are all done up, but it’s still obvious she’s been crying. Blotchy hazel eyes, red nose, all the typical hallmarks of grief and distress. She wears a handsome suit dress, and I admire her for her strength while blaming her for being bold enough to make this happen.

Was Bobby actually worth it, though? I wonder if she knew what kind of man she married and if she really loved him or just tolerated him. I hope it was the second, but either way, Bobby isn’t coming home to her. Wolf made sure of that. So this all seems like a poorly timed joke to me.

I swallow hard, my guilt swelling like an overdue pregnancy ready to bust out of me. I don’t know what Wolf did with Bobby’s body, and I’m glad I don’t, but I pray to God that whatever it is doesn’t lead back to me. I’ve only ever spent the one night in a jail cell, but I can’t say I’m keen to repeat the experience.

I can’t believe I’ve become so selfish, but it’s hard not to think about how much more complicated their presence makes my situation. There’s something out there in those woods, and I won’t stop until I find it. The last thing I need is people who don’t know what they're doing crawling behind me.

The large audience tightens around her as she steps up to the microphone to speak. I think I’d look a lot more out of place if I backed away right now. Despite my instincts to run, I huddle in with everyone else, using every ounce of self-control not to let the guilt show on my face.

“Bobby is a good man and a good husband, and all I want is to see him come home safe.”

Bobby learned the expert skill of two-timing from his father, and Wolf saved you from a lifetime of embarrassment and eventual loneliness, but sure, keep crying. A nasty voice speaks from somewhere deep inside me. I have to remind myself I’m not on Wolf’s side, and feeling like I am will result in my death.

Once again, I’m frightened by the nature of my own thoughts. Who am I anymore? Who am I becoming? Bobby may not have known me like he thought, but he was right about one thing—I am not the old Red. That was something he died to tell me, even if he didn’t realize the cost of moving in on me. My hands twist in anger as I think about it. How dare Wolf lay claim to something he never wanted?

“Please, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to have my husband back. I don’t have a ton of money, but I’ve got enough to offer a reward. One hundred dollars to anyone who helps us find Bobby.” She sniffs and dabs her eye with her handkerchief. “God bless you all.”

I can’t listen anymore. Since I know the truth, her pleading makes me sick. The outpost is about two hundred yards away, and I leave them to it to see what I can grab for my trip. I might be in the woods for a long time, and it’s not like I can run home for supplies. That stings terribly; Pop fell those trees to build that home for Granny, and now it’s gone, bones turning to dust like them. The air down here still stinks like fire.

Danny stands behind the counter and tips the corner of his mouth up when I walk inside.

“Afternoon, Red.”

“Afternoon,” I agree as I start to eye up supplies.

“Interesting outfit,” he comments.

“I like what I like.”

There are only a few packs up on the wall, and I pull down one of the bigger ones, not sure how long I’ll be out there.

“Saw something up on the top of the mountain last night. Wasn’t your place, was it?” he asks when I’m facing fully away from him.

“Yep,” I answer, not bothering to turn around until his eyes start burning a hole in my back.

When I do face him, he keeps staring, trying to figure out something to say. I guess it’s my fault for not making this easier on him. That would be the friendly thing to do, but after everything, I’m not feeling sociable.

“Anything I can do to help?” he finally settles on.

“I’m going to be out in the woods for a while. I need whatever you got.”

He rubs his chin. “You still got your parents' place, don’t ya? No need to stay out there.”

I really wish that were true, but I know for sure after the night with Porter that the cabin needs a lot of work before it’s safe for anyone to sleep in it. I don’t need to wind up sick on top of everything else.

“Not staying anywhere, looking for something, might take me some time. I need whatever you got.”

“Can you pay?” he asks the one question I’d hoped he wouldn’t. He usually lets me run a tab, but I suppose with my cabin burning to the ground, I’m not a safe investment.

“Can I write you an IOU?”

His eyes narrow as he looks at me. His scrutiny stings, even if I don’t really blame him for it. “Got any collateral?” he asks.

I smile because I do. It’s the one thing I have right now.

“How about the truck? I won’t need it while I’m hiking anyway.”

He shakes his head, but he’s not saying no. He’s just thinking.

“That’s too much.”

“I’ll be taking a lot, and you’ll give me my truck back when I pay you.”

He thinks for a minute before he nods. That makes more sense than the truth: I can’t pay him back, and I’m hoping my daddy and great-great-granddaddy were right that there’s something out there worth finding. If not, I won’t be seeing my truck anytime soon.

“Alright, Red. As long as you're sure you can pay me back.”

“I’m sure,” I lie.

I finish loading a giant pack with food, supplies, and everything I think might be useful. There aren’t any women’s clothes, but there is a jacket, and while it’s a little large, it will do just fine. I have no clue if I’ll ever get the truck back, no clue if I’ll be able to pay him, but Daddy was sure of it and I am too. There’s something out on that mountain, and Great-great-granddaddy died looking for it.

“Can you give me a ride?” I ask him.

“How far?”

“It’s on the mountain, not too far up, but around the lee side.”

“Yeah, okay. Let’s go, Red,” he agrees.

We leave the outpost, and he waves me to my own truck. I climb in, and he gets into the passenger side. I start her, and we’re rolling down the road a minute later, but a familiar flash of brown hair gets my attention. Wolf stands off in the woodline, watching me.