Page 87 of Her Dark Lies

Ana flinches again but stays stoic. “You’re out of line, Elliot. We’re clear about the danger now. We can keep everyone safe, and we can fix this.”

“We’d better,” Elliot says.

Ana ignores the crack, stays focused on Jack. “You let Claire know. She’ll need time to get ready. I’ll handle everything else.” She touches Jack’s cheek. “We’ll get through this together, Jackson. Let’s get you married, and we can work from there.”

Elliot huffs, peels off from the conversation. Jack can hear him inside with Brice, still arguing. But Brice won’t give way. When Ana makes a decision, it is sacrosanct.

“Do you need to go help Dad?”

“I do. But first, I need to tell you something. Come with me.”

He follows her into the suite, into her bedroom. She closes the door behind them.

“What do you have to tell me?”

“I’m afraid I wasn’t entirely honest with you, Jackson. I’ll beg your forgiveness now, though I don’t know if you’ll be able to...” She takes a deep breath.

“The body they found yesterday was not Morgan’s after all.”

51

The Plot’s Afoot

Jack shakes his head, ready to throttle his mother. “What are you talking about, the body isn’t Morgan’s? You said it was her. You said the bones in her hands confirmed it. How could you make a mistake that big? What have you learned?”

“I didn’t... Oh, Jackson, I was trying to protect you. I wanted you to have some peace of mind. I wanted you to be able to face the future with a clear heart and clear mind.”

“She’s not been found?”

“No.”

Jack doesn’t think he’s ever heard a “no” in his life that resonates so deeply.

“I can’t believe this. You lied to me? About finding my wife’s body? I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

She reaches for him, trying to draw him in for a hug, but he whirls away. “No. You don’t get to comfort me right now. What were you thinking?”

“It was a mistake. A terrible misunderstanding.”

“I can’t believe you.”

He goes to the window, watches the rain lash the panes. Normally it would be soothing, knowing he is safe inside against the elements, but now, all he can think of is that night, how the rain pounded down on his skin until he was convinced he would never feel dry and warm again. Of her scream as she went over the ledge. How she shrieked his name, the sound fading as she fell to her death. That cry would echo in his brain through eternity, sending chills through his body whenever he allowed his mind to touch upon the memory.

“Jack, I am so, so sorry.”

“If it wasn’t Morgan’s body, then who the hell was it?”

“We don’t know. Not for sure, anyway.”

“Who do you suspect?” Jack spits out the words. This isn’t happening.

Ana lights another cigarette. Jack wants to slap it from her mouth.

“If pressed, I suspect it actually is Elevana, but without DNA or dental, there’s no way to know for sure.”

“And if it’s not? How many young women will we dig up? How many more will wash up upon our shores?”

“I don’t know the answer to that, Jackson. But if you want to protect your Claire, I suggest we stop arguing and move forward. I will get in touch with the priest and get the staff moving. Tell Claire. She’ll understand.”