Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates (distant reading .txt) 📗

by the dark night. When the lighthouse light flashed, the light I’d always found so reassuring and comforting, I realized how far away it was.

Until now, I hadn’t thought to be afraid. I’d been worried for Josie, then annoyed at whoever was playing a joke on me. Now I was truly frightened.

I glanced around me, trying to see into the night. But all was dark. Dark and quiet. So quiet.

I threw the car into gear and sped down the laneway. I probably took the turn onto the highway on two wheels, and I made it to the intersection at South Old Oregon Inlet Road in record time. My phone rang, and I answered it using Bluetooth as I made the turn and pulled off to the side of the road to wait. “I’m here.”

“Josie’s home, safe and sound and wondering why I felt the need to check on her,” Jake said.

“I tried texting her back, but no one replied. Should I call the number?”

“No. Don’t do anything until we get there.”

“We?”

“Of course we, Lucy. Don’t hang up. Stay on the line.”

An approaching vehicle slowed and turned onto the road. My heart stopped. The car sped up and continued on its way. My heart started again.

That happened a couple more times before Jake said, “I think I see you. Flash your lights.”

I flashed them. Jake’s car pulled up next to me, and he leapt out. I undid my seat belt and opened my door. My hands were shaking, and I wondered if my legs would hold me up. Jake grabbed my arm and helped me out of the car.

A police cruiser came tearing down the highway, siren screaming, red and blue lights breaking the deep night, and pulled in next to us.

“You shouldn’t have called the police,” I said. “I’m fine.”

“I didn’t call the police. I called my brother,” Jake said as Butch got out of the cruiser.

“You okay, Lucy?” he asked me.

“I’m fine. I’m sure it was nothing.” I tried to smile at the men who’d rushed to my aid. I feared it came out as more of a grimace.

Another car screeched to a halt beside us.

“You shouldn’t have called Connor,” I said to Jake.

“Of course I called Connor,” Jake said.

Connor jumped out of his car without shutting off the engine. He reached me in three strides and wrapped me in his arms so tightly I was afraid I might suffocate. I made no move to pull myself free. It felt rather nice to be held. The dangers of the night silently receded.

“Thanks, guys,” Connor said, over the top of my head.

“Anytime,” Jake replied.

Connor finally let me go. He bent over and peered into my face. I reached up and touched his cheek. He grabbed my hand and pressed it to his lips.

Jake and Butch shifted their feet.

“Can you tell us what happened, Lucy?” Butch said at last. “Everything you can remember. Jake said someone lured you away from the lighthouse?”

“Lured is a strong word,” I said.

“Strong is what’s needed,” Connor said.

I told them the story. It didn’t take long. “Can you show me the text?” Butch asked.

I did so.

The three men leaned in and read the message. Butch pulled out his own phone and called the number. A tinny voice answered immediately.

“Either switched off or out of service,” he said. “I’ll get this checked out.”

“If you don’t need me any longer,” Jake said, “I should get back. I left a twenty-dollar steak on the grill and a mess of crab legs in a pot.”

I turned to him. “Thank you.”

His warm hazel eyes smiled back at me, but lines of worry hadn’t disappeared from the corners of his mouth. My cousin’s husband is a good-looking man. He’s slightly shorter and thinner than his brother, but otherwise the resemblance between them is strong.

“Let’s go,” Butch said. “I want to check out the lighthouse.”

“I’m coming with you,” Connor said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Maybe this was a practical joke and someone’s hiding behind a sand dune giggling into his palm even as we speak,” Butch said, “but I don’t think so. Your Honor, you take the lead; Lucy, you drive in the middle, and I’ll follow.”

“Call me if you need anything,” Jake said.

“Any sign of trouble,” Butch said to Connor, “you and Lucy get the heck out of there and leave it to me.”

“Will do.” Connor held the door of my car for me and waved me in.

Jake went first, turning right toward town with a farewell blast of his horn; then Connor followed, turning left. I pulled in behind him, and Butch came after me. He drove close to my rear bumper, but he’d turned the cruiser’s lights and sirens off.

I felt quite calm. Calm and safe and protected. And loved. I had no idea what had happened and whether or not someone wanted to only frighten me or if they intended to do me harm. Shock would settle in soon, but right now I was feeling surprisingly calm.

I didn’t think this person—whoever it was—meant me physical harm. I’d been alone when I ran out of the lighthouse in answer to Josie’s call, not paying attention to my surroundings. I’d driven up and down the dark highway, going slowly. It would have been easy to grab me before I got into my car or to force me off the road. I’d parked at the side of the lighthouse lane for a few minutes while I called Jake.

What, then, had been their intent?

We found out soon enough.

Butch told Connor and me to stay in our cars while he checked out the area around the lighthouse. Connor disobeyed that order immediately and got into the passenger seat of my car. We sat as close together as we could in my small Yaris, clutching hands as we watched Butch—powerful flashlight in one hand, the other on the butt of his gun—studying the grounds and the exterior of the building. I swallowed when he disappeared around the side of the lighthouse, and Connor gripped his phone in his