Hush Little Girl by Lisa Regan (first e reader .txt) 📗

Subsequent generations of the Harper family had added additional buildings to their estate. First, the Harper family built the large bed and breakfast which now served as a sought-after location for wedding parties to assemble and prepare for the ceremony and reception. It had been named Griffin Hall after Celeste’s father, Griffin Harper. Then, years later, a larger hotel and resort was built beside it. The grounds of Harper’s Peak were breathtaking with their carefully manicured gardens and mountain overlooks. Josie would have chosen the resort for their wedding based on the photos of the venue alone. Her heart fluttered imagining that in just a couple of short hours, she’d be standing in the tiny church on one of the overlooks staring into the hazel eyes of her new husband, Noah.

A door slammed in the hallway. Seconds later, Misty and the photographer entered the bridal suite. With a tight smile, Misty said, “Things are settled over there. It wasn’t too bad.”

She sat back down in her chair and let the make-up artist finish up. Beside her, Gretchen waved off the hair stylist so she could check an alert on her phone. The photographer said, “Shall we get some photos of you with your mother and grandmother?”

“Sure,” said Josie.

Lisette stood up and grabbed her walker, shuffling over toward Josie. “Shall we take them in front of the window?” she asked.

The photographer smiled. “Sure, let’s try that.”

Gretchen stood up. “I’ll be right back.”

Josie heard the door to the groom’s suite across the hall slam again as Gretchen left the room.

“What’s going on?” Josie said.

Trinity said, “What?”

Josie said, “Something’s going on.”

Lisette said, “You’re getting married, dear. That’s what’s going on.”

Everyone laughed. Except Misty. Josie stared at her. “Misty?”

She said nothing. From the corner of her eye, Josie saw motion outside. Turning back to the window, she watched as Gretchen and their colleague—and one of Noah’s groomsmen—Detective Finn Mettner strode across the grounds, headed in the same direction as the staff members. Tracing her mental map of Harper’s Peak, Josie tried to figure out where they might be going. In that direction was the church where they were about to be married. Celeste and Adam had arranged for a pre-wedding gathering downstairs where guests could mingle, have hors d’oeuvres and drinks before the ceremony. They’d be transported to the church in a resort car roughly a half hour before the proceedings began. It made sense that the staff might be heading out there to open the church and get things ready, but why were Mettner and Gretchen headed that way? There was an urgency in the way they walked that set Josie’s teeth on edge.

Shannon said, “Nothing is going on, Josie.”

Josie pointed out the window. “Where is everyone going? I just saw Tom and another staff member, Gretchen, and Mett—” she stopped speaking as their Chief of Police emerged from the first floor of the building and went after the two detectives. “And Chief Chitwood just went that way. Toward the church.”

Trinity touched Josie’s elbow, trying to gently turn her attention back to the photographer. “They’re probably just setting up. Celeste told me the church is locked except for weddings.”

Josie looked into her sister’s striking blue eyes. “You don’t need two detectives and the Chief of Police to set up for a wedding.” She turned back to Misty. “What’s going on?”

All eyes went to Misty, who wore a grimace. “It’s nothing to do with the wedding, Josie.”

Josie held her skirt in both hands and shuffled over to Misty, looking down into her face. “Tell me.”

Softly, Misty said, “He told me not to.”

“Who?”

“Mett. He said not to ruin your day.”

“Misty.”

Tears glistened in the corners of Misty’s eyes. She choked out the words, “They found a body.”

Behind Josie, the other women gasped.

Shannon said, “What? Where?”

“I don’t know,” Misty said.

Josie moved toward the door, but Trinity rushed across the room and blocked her way. “Josie, this is your wedding day. You’re not a detective today, you’re a bride. I know how dedicated you are to your work, but you are allowed to take time off to tend to your personal life. You’re marrying Noah today. Make that your priority. You’ve got very capable colleagues to handle whatever is happening out there.”

Josie stared at her sister, feeling herself relent.

Shannon walked over and again, touched Josie’s shoulder. “Misty said they found a body. It doesn’t mean there was any kind of foul play. It could be someone who had a medical event—a heart attack or something—and passed.”

“Right,” Josie said. “You’re right.” She smiled. “Let’s take those photos.”

But as she walked back to the window, she saw Officer Hummel, dressed in a suit since he was one of their wedding guests, stalking off in the direction everyone else had gone. Hummel was the head of Denton PD’s Evidence Response Team. “Misty,” Josie said. “Did they say anything else about the body? Anything at all?”

Misty gave a long sigh.

Trinity said, “Don’t.”

Misty said, “She’s going to find out eventually, whether it’s now or after the wedding.”

“Then let her find out after, Misty.”

“I don’t lie to Josie,” Misty announced. “Mett told me out in the hallway before he left. It was a child, Josie. A young girl.”

Josie felt as though someone had punched her in the gut. One hand rested over her stomach. “What else? What else did Mett tell you?”

“Nothing else,” Misty said. “That’s it.”

Lisette said, “Josie, I know this is terrible. It’s a horrible, horrible thing. No one knows that better than me, but this is your wedding day.”

“Please,” Shannon said. “You’ve got over fifty guests downstairs, and Noah. Sweet, wonderful Noah. This is his day, too.”

Lisette added, “You don’t have to fight all the fights, Josie. Not every case is your burden to bear.”

Josie knew this was true.

But a child, said a voice in her head.

Misty stood up and walked over. “They’re right, Josie. I know it’s difficult to go on and have a happy day after hearing