Page 100 of Her Dark Lies

He tries Gideon again. And this time, he answers.

“Where the hell are you?”

“I just finished in the crypt.”

“Malcolm is dead. He attacked Claire.”

“What?”

“Just get up here. I’m in the labyrinth, near the cottages’ entrance.”

“Jack?”

Elliot stands at the edge of the path, sheltering under a black golf umbrella. Jack stashes his phone in his pocket, wary of the timing of Elliot’s intrusion.

“Elliot. What are you doing?”

“Getting away from Amelia, who is moping around the Villa like her cat died. God, I cannot wait to be rid of that woman. Why, what—” He spies Malcolm’s feet. “Jesus, Jack. What have you done?”

“It wasn’t me, asshole. He went after Claire. She pushed him, he fell. She’s inside with Gran freaking out. I needed to come see.”

“Damn.” Elliot taps his toe on the edge of the stake. Malcolm’s head wiggles in agreement.

“You didn’t hear anything, did you? A struggle?”

“No. I was down the hill.”

They stand in silence, staring at the body.

“Well, Jack, unless you’ve changed your mind and want to call it all off, I suggest you get a move on. Let Gideon and Karmen clean up this mess.”

“I will never understand what you have against Claire. What has she done to upset you?”

“God, Jack, give it a rest. I’m just soured on marriage in general right now.”

Possibly true. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I punched you.”

A flash of teeth—his brother is amused. “Naw, don’t worry about it. I deserved it. I shouldn’t have said anything about Morgan. I know she’s a sore subject for you. And I know it’s been hard on you. But trust me, you’re so much better off without her. She was a wreck. You deserved better. We all did.”

There’s something in Elliot’s voice that makes Jack’s radar go off. He sounds almost...hurt.

You deserved better. We all did.

A low vibration starts in Jack’s gut.

“Elliot. Is there something you need to tell me?”

Elliot tips back the umbrella and looks to the sea. “Nothing that matters, Jackson. There’s no undoing the past.”

“Elliot, what happened the night Morgan died?”

“Oh, God, are we really doing this now? You were there. You know. Bitch deserved it, anyway, after what she did.”

Elliot starts away, and Jack grabs his arm.

“What the fuck, El? ‘Bitch deserved it?’ Morgan deserved to fall off the cliff?”

Elliot shakes his head. “You still don’t know, do you? My God, Jack. I had no idea you were so naive. She was screwing anything that moved.”