Page 89

EIGHTY-EIGHT

EMERALD FALLS

A sob wrenched from deep inside Barb’s soul. The twins were dead and now Claire was gone, too.

Tears fell like raindrops, sliding down her cheeks and dripping from her chin.

She needed to get help. Call the police. Tell them everything.

But first she had to find Ros and talk to Loretta.

Grief swelling inside her, she stroked Claire’s cold cheek, a wave of nausea overcoming her. Who had done this? And why?

Were Mazie and Ivy in danger? And Ros and Loretta?

Her hand trembled as she swiped at her tears. A noise rattled somewhere in the basement.

She held her breath and listened again. The eerie silence surrounded her, adding to her fear.

She had to get out of here. Forget protecting their secrets.

She’d find her friends, make sure the girls were safe, then they’d go to the police together.

Fear tightened her chest, but she pressed her hands over Claire’s eyes and closed them, then kissed her fingers and brushed them across her friend’s cheek. “I’m sorry, Claire. I’ll find the animal who killed you and the twins and I’ll make them pay.”

Fury eating at her, she eased out the door, tense with nerves as she closed it behind her. Quietly, she tiptoed up the staircase and out the back door. She hit the ground running, her breath panting out as she jumped in her car and headed toward Emerald Falls.