Chapter 7 - Lacey Keller
June laughed once.
Not because anything was funny.
“My sister was fourteen when Caleb’s mother died.”
Meredith nodded.
“She was there.”
“No.”
“She worked summer events at the Whitcomb estate.”
“She never told me.”
“She couldn’t.”
June stepped closer.
“Couldn’t?”
Meredith rubbed her arms.
“She signed something.”
“At fourteen?”
“Her mother signed it.”
June’s face hardened.
“Our mother died saying the Whitcombs ruined Lacey.”
Caleb looked between them.
“What happened that night?”
Meredith stared toward the water.
“There was a party.”
“What kind?”
“Private. Investors. Family friends.”
“You were fifteen.”
“My mother worked here.”
Meredith’s voice became distant.
“Lacey and I were helping in the kitchen.”
June whispered, “You knew her.”
“Yes.”
“And never told me?”
“I recognized your last name when Caleb hired you.”
June looked ready to strike her.
Caleb moved between them.
“Finish.”
Meredith continued.
“Mrs. Whitcomb came downstairs angry. She had papers. She was fighting with Warren.”
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“About what?”
“I didn’t understand.”
“Who was the third person?”
Meredith’s eyes filled.
“Lacey.”
“And my mother drowned?”
Meredith shook her head.
“No.”
Caleb went still.
“No?”
“She ran outside.”
“Why?”
“She was scared.”
“Of my father?”
Meredith hesitated.
“No.”
That answer surprised him.
“Then who?”
Before Meredith could reply, her phone buzzed.
She looked down.
Everything drained from her face.
A photograph appeared on screen.
Elara.
Alive.
Sleeping inside an unfamiliar crib.
Underneath:
YOU HAVE THIRTY SECONDS.
Meredith whispered, “No.”
Caleb grabbed the phone.
Another message appeared.
WALK INTO THE LAKE.
June stared.
“What?”
A third message:
OR THE BABY DOESN’T WAKE UP.
Meredith began shaking.
Caleb looked around the shoreline.
“Where are they watching from?”
June scanned the trees.
“They could be anywhere.”
Meredith stepped toward the water.
Caleb caught her arm.
“No.”
“You don’t understand.”
“You’re not dying for this.”
“She will.”
“No.”
Meredith looked at him.
“You still think I’m protecting myself.”
“Aren’t you?”
Tears ran down her face.
“I burned your daughter because I was told they would kill my son.”
Caleb froze.
“You don’t have a son.”
Meredith gave him a devastated look.
May you like
“Yes, Caleb.”
“I do.”
