Page 137 of Whispers in the Dark
Alex sits up straight, worry dancing across his eyes. “Is it Clara?” He abruptly stands, panic gripping him. “Where is she?” He takes a step to the side, but stops at Vin’s words.
“It’s not Clara,” Vin replies, shaking his head, his eyes dropping as he stares at his plate of food.
Relief washes over Alex, causing his shoulders to relax slightly. “Then what the hell is it? You had me ready to start a war on my daughter’s behalf.” His fingers run through his hair as he waits for an explanation.
Vin’s gaze rises, locking with Alex’s, and they share a silent conversation.
Alex grows still, his body tensing with rage as his hands drop to his sides. “No,” he states in disbelief. “That’s not possible.” He shakes his head, stepping closer to Vin. “You told me to wait, and I did. You promised me nothing would happen to her. She was just seen yesterday afternoon by your guy,” he states coldly. “So, when could it have happened?”
“Last night,” Vin says, his voice laced with remorse.
“How?” Alex’s fingers clench into fists by his side.
“Alex—”
“How?” he shouts.
Vin sighs. “She drowned. Apparently, she fell overboard on their yacht during a storm. She didn’t know how to swim.”
“I trusted you,” Alex whispers, his voice pained.
“I’m sorry, brother. Truly, I am.” He stands and places a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I thought we had time.”
Alex shoves his chair back, knocking it over, before storming out of the room. The front door slams shut, leaving the rest of us in silence as we wait for further explanation.
“Can someone explain what the hell’s going on?” Madeleine says, looking directly at Vin.
He scrubs his hand over his jaw. “The governor’s wife, Charlotte Johnson, drowned at sea last night. Her body… Her body hasn’t been recovered.”
Excitement pulses through me as I navigate the winding roads in the woods, heading home.
I can’t believe I actually did it!
A smile blooms across my face as I turn down the long driveway, a call connecting through to my Bluetooth. I see the name and immediately accept it.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Hi, sweetheart. So…how did it go?”
I squeal, unable to hold it in a second longer. “I got the…” I catch myself, swallowing the wrong word. “Promotion!”
I can’t exactly tell him I just got hired at the place he thinks I’ve been working this whole time. So I may have let him believe I was up for a promotion instead.
“That’s my girl! I knew you would,” he says proudly. I can practically envision the wide grin growing on his face.
“Thanks. I was trying to play it cool, but I think I was smiling like an idiot the whole time.” I laugh.
“You deserve it. You’ve worked so hard for it, and they’re lucky to have you.”
My smile softens. “I was thinking, maybe tomorrow night when Mauro and I come to visit, we can celebrate with some ice cream, if you feel up for it,” I offer.
“I’m looking forward to it. I feel better than I have in a long time.” His words bring comfort to my heart, making me grateful for every day I share with him. “But I have to get going for my chess game. Just wanted to check in on you. Tell my favorite son-in-law I say hi. I love you, Alina.”
“I will. And I love you, Dad.”
I end the call as I approach the house, seeing parked construction vehicles at the far end. Mauro hadn’t mentioned he was planning on having any work done.
I come to a stop near the entrance and twist in my seat to grab my orientation folder from the passenger seat. I can’t helpbut do a little happy dance as I read the words on the top page:Welcome to Greyhaven Academy.
