Page 62 of Traitor
“I insist. You look as nervous as a long-tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs. C’mon now. We’ll worry about this mess tomorrow.” When I can only stare at her, she rolled her eyes and tugs my arm. Unable to protest, I followed her to her big white SUV. “Go on, get in there. We’ll be over to the lodge in a couple minutes and we’ll get this all settled. I have to tell you though, honey, no man is worth worrying yourself over. Especially not one with a temper like that Ford of yours.”
“He’s doesn’t have a temper, he’s…moody.”
The engine roars to life and I put on my seat belt automatically, torn between social convention and guilt. If Jim had killed Lola, and I was pretty sure he did, Alice would be devastated. I hate the thought of watching another family ripped apart like mine had been, but Lola deserved justice, no matter what happened after. If I could have found the person responsible for my parents’ deaths, I would have. Now I have a chance to serve up redemption for someone who lost their life violently, and I’ll see it through, no matter what.
“Thank you for taking me,” I say when I get my voice back.
“Not a problem.”
The air from the vents blows out freezing and I shiver, or maybe it’s the nerves. Ford spends most of his day at the lodge. There’s no reason why he couldn’t answer his phone. The thought occurs to me that Nell might know where he is, so I call the lodge as Alice navigates through traffic.
Nell answers with a cheerful trill, “Bear Lake Lodge, this is Nell. How may I help you today?”
If I weren’t sitting, my knees would have buckled from the intense relief at her familiar voice. “Nell, thank goodness.”
“Peyton, that you? What’s wrong? You sound dreadful.”
“Nothing. I mean, I’m fine. Is Ford there? Can I talk to him?”
There’s a pause and for a moment I think she’s passing him the phone, followed by static and then, “No, honey, I’m sorry. He went out with Mercy and Lexie for a while. Something the matter?”
My stomach sinks. “Oh, okay. No, everything is fine.” My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth at the lie, as it’s gone desperately dry with renewed panic. “If you see him before I get there will you have him call me, please?”
“Sure thing, doll. Are you sure everything’s okay?”
“Yes. Thanks, Nell,” I say, and then hang up before her Southern hospitality can pull the truth from my lips.
“We’re almost there,” Alice says. “Now why don’t you really tell me what’s going on that’s got you so frazzled. You’re scaring me.”
“I’ve already caused you enough trouble,” I say and bite my tongue. And I’m going to cause so much more.
“Is this about Lola?” she asks.
I want to reach over and shove my own foot on the gas. I know everything moves slower in the South and Alice is driving the speed limit, but everything inside me is screaming at her to go faster.
“I’m not sure yet,” I edge, trying to keep my voice level.
“C’mon now, Peyton. We’re friends, aren’t we? If it’s about Lola, I think I deserve to know.”
At the hurt tone in her voice, I relent a little. She’s been nothing but kind to me and I’m treating her like she’s the criminal—instead of Jim. “I think—” I have to clear my throat when my voice breaks. “Jim mentioned the two of you had a boat. That he likes to go fishing.”
“Yes, of course. We have a house on the lake. It’s a family house but we share it when we can. It’s been in my father’s family for generations. Why? What’s this about?”
“Do you—do you know what he was doing the night she went missing?”
Alice gives me a sidelong glance as she turns down the road leading to the lodge. “Why are you asking me that?”
“When I was talking to him now, he mentioned trying to talk Lola out of leaving. That they may have argued. He talked about how the two of you used to go fishing out on the lake all the time.” I hate to be the one to tell anyone this sort of news, but she has to know. Panic grips my insides. It didn’t occur to me before, but Alice could be in danger from Jim once she knows. “Alice, I think Jim may have had something to do with her death. I’m so sorry to be the one to tell you.”
She slams on the brakes and a terrified squawk squeezes from my chest as the safety belt bites into my flesh. Her hand grips my elbow, the long red-painted nails digging in so deep I swear I can feel them drawing blood.
“Why would you say something like that, after all I’ve done for you?”
I grip her wrist, but she’s stronger than she looks. My stomach rolls and my fingers go cold.
“I’m sorry. I’m probably wrong. What do I know?” I babble. Anything to get her to calm down the crazy look she’s giving me. We’re so close to the lodge. Once I get there and find Ford, I’ll be safe. He’ll keep me safe. “I don’t know what I’m talking about.”
For one long, tense moment, Alice’s eyes rove over my face and I try to clear my expression. Finally, she takes her foot off the brake and we inch forward. “I’m sure rest is all you need,” she says. “Let me get you back to Ford’s.”