Page 124 of Poison Wood

He shifts on his seat and nods. “She left a note addressed to me in that safe-deposit box along with a stained love letter.” Heather knew everything. He goes pale. “The note said if anything ever happens to her, I need to find a woman named Summer Chamberlain.”

November 27, 2002

My Dearest Pet,

I can’t stop thinking about you. You know what I did was for you, don’t you? You told me you needed to leave and we will leave together now that I have enough money. I know you don’t want anyone to know about us but it’s not bad. I promise. I love you too much for this to be bad. Are you packed? I’ll see you in two days. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.

Yours in love and mischief, Archibald.

Poison Wood Therapeutic Academy for Girls

Kisatchie National Forest

November 28, 2002

Thanksgiving Day

Meadow

Dear Diary,

The Idiot finally has enough money to get me out of here. Just in time too. Sayonara Poison Wood.

Jasmine

Dear Diary,

Peace out Poison Wood. I hope one day someone burns you to the ground. This Thanksgiving I’m thankful to be getting the fuck out of this place.

Ivy

Dear Diary,

It’s late. It might even be tomorrow already. I’m so drunk I can barely write this. I think someone’s boyfriend is here and from the sound of it, they’re not going to be girlfriend and boyfriend much longer.

I have to sleep now. Hope tomorrow is more fun than today was.

Chapter Thirty-One

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Monday, February 18, 2019

2:40 p.m. CST

Thoughts are tumbling through my head at warp speed as I drop Marshall and Jasmine at the back entrance to the Holiday Inn Express. I tell Marshall I will keep him in the loop if I find out anything, and he says he’ll do the same.

Once they are inside, I text Grant.

I’d love to talk to Johnny again. Soon. Maybe at the B & B.

Can’t. Have to get Johnny to his house. Meet there?

The massive size of Johnny’s hands reappears in my head. Do I really want to be at this man’s home, even with Grant there too? Every nerve ending in my body is sayingHold on, think about this, don’t just—

Yes.

See you soon.