Pine Lake Read online

  He frowned. “Was I?”

  “You don’t remember?”

  He shrugged as he set the beer on the railing. “I don’t dwell too much on those days.”

  She turned to stare out over the water. “I’ve always regretted not standing by you when things got so bad. It was never about guilt or innocence. I let you down because I was too wrapped up in my own problems. That’s no excuse. And none of this probably means anything to you now. But...” She trailed off on another nervous laugh. “I’m not very good at this.”

  “You’re fine.”

  “I just need you to know that I always believed in you. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I came. And ultimately, that’s why I couldn’t bring myself to knock on your door. Because I’m about fifteen years too late.”

  “Why now?” he asked without rancor.

  “Because you’re back and because I’ve always wanted to say these things to you. The way you were treated. It was disgraceful. We were disgraceful.” She tilted her head to stare deeply into his eyes. “You were the best part of this town. Nothing has ever been the same since you left.”

  “I somehow doubt that.” Her words touched a nerve. Whether good or bad, Jack wasn’t sure.

  “It’s true.” She walked over to the edge of the dock, peering as intently into the water as she had into his eyes. “This place brings back a lot of memories,” she said on a shiver. “Remember how we used to come out here at night and swim in the moonlight? You and me and Tommy and Anna. They were such vibrant creatures, weren’t they? So full of life. I was a wallflower and you were always so intense. I used to secretly wonder if we’d made the wrong choice. The wrong pairing. Maybe you and I would have been better suited.”

  “I don’t know how well suited I am to anyone,” Jack said in a moment of candor. “But you and Tommy have been together for a long time. You seemed to have made a go of it.”

  “You’ve been away from Pine Lake for too long. Things around here are rarely as they seem.”

  Jack thought of that tattoo on Jamie Butaud’s shoulder and the one on Anna’s hip. A heart with a lightning bolt shot through the center. Tommy Driscoll’s mark. A symbol that connected two murders fifteen years apart.

  Beth was staring at him over her shoulder, a smile flitting at the corners of her mouth. He had never known her to be coy or sly and yet there was something about that smile that sent a warning up his spine.

  You asked if I thought Marc Waller killed Jamie. He’s certainly capable. But he isn’t the only one with a motive.

  “What problems?” he asked abruptly.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “You said you were caught up in your own problems back then. What was going on in your life?”

  The question seemed to catch her off guard. “Oh, you know. The usual stuff. Everything seems a matter of life and death at that age.”

  Jack wondered about her sudden reticence. He walked over to the edge of the dock, staring into the murky depths just as she’d done. Something plopped in the water and the ripples distorted her reflection. Jack watched, fascinated. Beth Driscoll seemed ephemeral in that moment. Not altogether real. It occurred to him that she had always been like that. Elusive and transitory with no lasting impression.

  He saw her shiver as if she were thinking strange thoughts, too.

  “Do you remember that trip you and Anna took to Dallas the fall of our senior year? A whole group of you went. She said things got a little crazy.”

  Beth turned with a wide-eyed stare. “That’s what she told you about that trip? Things got a little crazy?”

  “Didn’t they?”

  “That trip was a lot of things, but I would never describe it as crazy. Not the way you seem to mean it.”

  “How would you describe it?”

  She seemed momentarily distracted as she leaned over the water to gaze past him. “I didn’t know you could see the bridge from here,” she murmured.

  “You never could before. I think some trees have gone down. Lightning strikes, most likely.” He waited a beat. “Tell me about that trip, Beth.”

  She sighed as her focus returned to the water. “I haven’t let myself think about it for a very long time.”

  “What happened?”

  “We didn’t go to Dallas to party. At least, Anna and I didn’t. That whole girls’ weekend was just a cover. She and I went to an abortion clinic.”

  The shock was like a physical blow, punching the air from his lungs in a painful rush. “She was pregnant?”

  Beth put a soothing hand on his arm. “No, not Anna. We went there for me.”

  Emotions swept through him. Fifteen years had dulled the pain of Anna’s death, but coming back here...finding out all these things about her and the people who had once been his friends had ripped open old wounds. How had he ever thought he could remain aloof from those memories? He hadn’t left Pine Lake behind. This town and these people would always be a part of him, of the boy he’d been and the man he’d become. Protective walls could only keep out so much.

  The dock swayed beneath his feet and he struggled to regain his footing.

  “I’m sorry,” Beth said. “You look so distressed. I shouldn’t have blurted it out that way. You were bound to think it was Anna.”

  “Did Tommy know?”

  “You’re assuming the baby was his.”

  “I’m sorry. I did assume.”

  She smiled. “I didn’t tell him because I didn’t go through with it. I decided to keep the baby no matter what he or anyone else said. Anna brought me home and I holed up in my room for the rest of the weekend. We’d already told everyone we were in Dallas and I didn’t want to answer a bunch of questions about why I’d come back early. It was easier to hide out, and I needed time to think anyway.”

  “What about Anna?”

  She shrugged. “I always assumed she drove back to Dallas to be with the others.”

  But maybe she hadn’t rejoined the others that weekend. Maybe she’d been off somewhere getting Tommy Driscoll’s mark tattooed on her hip.

  Now it was Jack who drew a deep breath as he tried to sort through his feelings. The betrayal didn’t matter. Not after all this time. He was too old to harbor grudges or carry torches, but he did care about the consequences. He did care about all the lies. Someone had killed Anna in cold blood. For the longest time, her murder had been considered a motiveless crime that had happened because of a chance encounter with a monster. Jack had never bought into the premise. It had always seemed personal to him, but he’d never had any legitimate suspects. He’d never been able to connect any of those troublesome dots. After a while, it became easier to just let it go. Then two old friends had called out of the blue last Friday night and here he was, back in Pine Lake chasing his past.

  “What happened to the baby?” he asked. “If it’s not too painful to talk about.”

  “I had a miscarriage. The stress of the pregnancy and then Anna’s death...it was all too much, I guess.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It was a long time ago. Like you, I don’t dwell on it the way I used to. Life goes on.” She paused, running fingers through her short tresses. “It’s funny. Anna was the only other person who knew about my pregnancy and now here I am telling you about the miscarriage. I don’t know why except...” Another pause. “You were always easy to talk to. I could tell you things I could never tell Tommy.”

  “I don’t remember you ever confiding in me before.”

  “Don’t you?” Her smile seemed wistful. “Maybe I told you more than you realized.”

  “I’m sorry if that’s true.”

  “It doesn’t matter anymore. I just wanted you to know why I wasn’t around when you were going through all that trouble. It was a dark time and I was pretty far gone myself that ye
ar.”

  “Understandable.”

  “And now you’re back,” she said on another sigh.

  The sun had dipped below the horizon and already Jack could sense twilight creeping in from the pine forest. The bullfrogs sang with the crickets as nostalgia settled over the landscape. When he was younger, his uncle used to say that the lake had two personalities—one by day and one by night. He wondered about the woman who stood beside him. He could no longer see her reflection in the water, but when he glanced at her profile, she seemed stoic and unassuming. Did more secrets lurk beneath that calm surface?

  “I should go,” she said as if sensing his scrutiny. “I’m glad you’ve finally come home. It’s been too long.”

  Would she welcome him back when she learned of his agenda?

  “I need to ask you something before you go,” he said.

  He could sense a sudden tension that made him wonder.

  “What is it?”

  “How well did you really know Anna?”

  A shadow fell across her expression. “That’s an odd question. I knew her for most of my life. So did you. We all went to kindergarten together.”

  “You said she was the only person you told about the pregnancy. Did she confide in you?”

  “Of course. That’s what girlfriends do.”

  “Did you know she was seeing someone else?”

  The shadow fleeted again. “I don’t believe that. Not for a second. Anna would never have cheated on you. She loved you.”

  “Did she?”

  “Yes, of course, she did.” Her voice turned ironic. “Besides, it’s hard to hide infidelity in a town this small.”

  “Maybe this town has more secrets than you know.” He was still gazing down at her. Her eyes seemed guileless, but who really knew? “That night has always haunted me. I dropped Anna off early. She waited until I was gone and then she slipped back out of her house. It’s logical to assume she went out to meet someone.”

  “Maybe she just went for a walk.”

  “Alone? At that time of night?”

  “It wasn’t that late. Anna was a night owl, remember?”

  “You didn’t talk to her that night? You don’t have any idea who she may have gone out to meet?”

  “Jack.” She placed her hand on his arm. He wondered if she used the same appeasing gesture to calm Tommy’s temper. “Why are you letting this get to you now? We’ve all moved on.”

  “Have we? Then why did you come out here to talk to me?”

  “I told you why. I wanted to apologize, not dredge up all that old pain. Why torment yourself with all those unanswered questions?”

  “I’m just looking for the truth, Beth.”

  She was silent for a moment. “You never believed Wayne Foukes killed her, did you?”

  “No.”

  “Yet you never tried to free him. You never spoke out against his incarceration.”

  “You don’t know what I did,” Jack said. “Just because I didn’t shout about it from the middle of Main Street doesn’t mean I kept those doubts to myself. But the law doesn’t put a lot of stock in gut feelings. Especially coming from someone like me.”

  “Is that why you’ve come back now?” she asked. “Because of a gut feeling?”

  “It’s a little more substantial than that.”

  She frowned. “I don’t understand. You have new evidence?”

  “Let’s just say, I’ve heard differing accounts of what happened that night. At the very least, lies were told to the police. I intend to find out why.”

  “No matter who you hurt?”

  “What are you afraid of?”

  “You misunderstand me.” She took a step toward him, so quickly he didn’t have time to move away. Her hand fluttered again to his bruised cheek. “I’m not afraid, Jack. I’ve been waiting fifteen years for the truth to come out.”

  * * *

  OLIVE STOOD AT the top of the wooden steps gazing down at the couple on the dock. Jack and Beth Driscoll were old friends and so it came as no surprise to see them together. Yet for some strange reason, Olive felt blindsided. Not because she was jealous or envious or even all that curious about their conversation, but because observing Jack in such an unguarded moment took her breath away.

  A panicky tremor shot through her and she could feel a warning prickle all across her scalp. Her intense awareness of him shocked and frightened her, which was crazy. What was there to fear? She was a grown woman and she’d hardly lived her life as a hermit. She’d even been in love once or twice. But the amiable farewells when the relationships ended had only reinforced the necessity of those partings. Breakups shouldn’t be so easy. Not if there’d been real passion. Estrangements should be agonizingly tearful with unwise recriminations and long, sleepless nights. Olive had walked away with only a mild sense of regret. Her partners had seemed to feel the same. One had married within six months of their separation, the other had moved out of state. Olive wished them well but not enough to keep up with their lives. If she never saw either of them again, it would be no great loss.

  But Jack...

  Her trepidation deepened as she watched him in the waning light. Already she dreaded the time when he would pack his bags and leave town, most likely for good this time. In many ways, Olive was still the hopeless romantic she’d been at fourteen and a part of her was irresistibly drawn to the notion of the prodigal son. But this was more than a fantasy or a lingering schoolgirl crush. Somehow in the space of forty-eight hours, she’d developed real feelings for Jack King.

  This would not end well, she predicted as she smoothed clammy hands down the sides of her jeans. He’d come to Pine Lake to settle old scores. Getting between a man and his mission was never a good idea. Beth Driscoll would do well to remember that, too.

  Olive started toward the dock, letting her sneakers thump against the wooden stairs to alert them of her presence. When Jack turned, she waved and called out a greeting.

  “Sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said as she stepped onto the dock. The gentle sway of the platform made her feel light-headed. She put a hand on the rail to steady herself.

  “I was just leaving.” Beth bent to retrieve her sandals, hooking the heel straps over her index finger. As she straightened, her gaze settled on Olive. “We haven’t had a chance to talk all summer, but I’ve been meaning to call and congratulate you on the promotion. I’m looking forward to the new school year.”

  Olive studied her in the dusky light. She looked sincere but there was an indefinable edge in her voice. “Thanks, Beth. I’m looking forward to the year, as well.”

  “I have some suggestions for the science lab. Maybe we can schedule a time to talk in the next week or so.”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll be in my office every day until at least five.”

  “I’ll be sure and stop by.” Beth turned back to Jack. “It was really good to see you again. Don’t be such a stranger from now on.”

  “I’ll be around for a few days,” he said. “Maybe we’ll see each other again.”

  “I hope so. Goodbye for now.”

  “Goodbye.”

  Olive glanced up at Jack. His expression was inscrutable as he watched Beth climb the steps. Once she’d disappeared into the shadows, he seemed to shrug off his contemplative mood.

  “Sorry again for the interruption,” she said.

  “You didn’t interrupt anything.”

  “Still, I should have called instead of dropping by this way. I’ve been worried about that bump on your head. I wanted to make sure you’re okay and I didn’t trust you to tell me the truth on the phone.”

  “I feel fine. Headache’s almost gone. No dizziness or disorientation.”

  “How’s the memory?”

  “Still hazy but I�
�m hoping it’ll come back.”

  She nodded to the sweating bottle he’d set on the dock rail. “Are you going to drink that?”

  “It’s probably warm by now. I can go up to the house and get you a cold one,” he offered.

  “Only if you’re having one, too.”

  He hesitated. “Maybe it’s best if I stick to water for now.”

  “Then I’ll take that one off your hands.” He gave her the bottle and she took a thirsty drink. “Sorry. I needed that. It’s been a long day.”

  “You don’t have to keep apologizing.”

  “I feel like I do. I keep barging into your life. But I guess I’m not the only one. Word has gotten around about your return and now all your old friends want to see you.”

  “They want something,” he muttered.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Don’t mind me. I’m being cynical.”

  “You’re entitled. I sensed some antagonism between you and Nathan earlier.” When he didn’t respond, she plunged on. “I love my cousin, but I’m enough of a realist to know that he usually has an angle for everything he does. Beth, though. She seems like a straight arrow. Were you close in school?”

  “I don’t know about close. We were friends.”

  “I can still remember all of you together,” Olive said dreamily. “You and Anna and Beth and Tommy. I thought of you as the beautiful people. You were like movie stars to me. Poor Nathan was always the odd man out.”

  “He didn’t seem to mind.”

  “Of course, he minded. He just never let on.” She leaned her forearms against the rail, still cradling the bottle. “He always gave the impression of having it all together, but he was a mess in high school. He just never let anyone see it. I’m sure he still has his moments, but God forbid he should ever let down his guard.”

  “What do you mean by mess?”

  “Don’t you remember how competitive he was? How he constantly needed to prove himself?” Olive felt a little disloyal to her cousin for speaking so forthrightly behind his back. “His father was very domineering. He was good to my mother and me and I’ll never forget the way he took us in when we were both falling apart. But he was always on Nathan’s back, always finding fault, always berating him for some perceived shortcoming. I don’t know how Nathan turned out as well-adjusted as he has.”