Page 114 of Lost Lake
Likely the cancer. “What happened then?”
“Trent needed a boat to move Kenna and her kid to the dock, so he asked to use Mason’s. The guy was dumb enough to refuse, and Trent knifed him.”
“You saw all of this?”
“I ain’t gonna lie. I was right there. I hauled Kenna’s lifeless body and the kid to the dock. He’d already strangled Kenna. He was still bleeding from the screwdriver. Figured he deserved that and more. After that, I ditched the boat across the lake at one of those fancy weekend houses.”
“You stay long enough to see when he abducted Lucy?”
“Yeah, I split in the boat, but I could see him tossing Kenna in the water, then grabbing the kid from her car seat.”
“What about earlier today? Trent sent someone to try to kill me, Gabe Irving, and his brother. Know who that would be?”
“Not for sure, no, but it had to be Damon Cross, the sniper on Trent’s payroll. He served as security for when the kids were transported.”
“Do you know about Trent’s accounting fraud?”
“Ha! You kidding? I picked up the checks and deposited them. So yeah.” He laughed. “You could say I knew about it.”
“Were Silas Tinsley and Patrick Sloan involved?”
“Of course. Trent needed them to turn a blind eye.”
“Which one of you broke into my house and stole my computer and files?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.
“That was all me. Sorry. I gave all the stuff to Trent.”
She honestly couldn’t have hoped for more information from him. “And you’ll give me a statement for this as well?”
“I mean, why not? Trent’s dead, and he can’t hurt me.”
Disgusted he wouldn’t assist them because it was the right thing to do, she left him without promising to seek a lighter sentence for him.
Promise.Pinky promise.
El desperately needed to talk to Gabe.
She closed the back door and made sure it was secure, then moved to a wooded area nearby. She slid to the ground, her back to a tall pine, and dialed Gabe.
“I’m so glad you called,” he said before she could get a word out. “How are things going there?”
“We’re waiting on a state investigator to arrive for our statements. Once he’s done here, he’ll be coming to the hospital to take yours. Is Lucy doing well enough that I could sit with her for that to happen?”
“I think so. They gave her a second IV for dehydration and thoroughly examined her, but found nothing wrong, except the dehydration and fatigue. She ate a small snack, but then was too tired to stay awake. I suspect she’ll be sleeping a lot the next few days.”
“How long will they keep her there?”
“Doctor didn’t say. He said she was in pretty good shape for what she’d gone through. Physically at least. He recommended a counselor to help her get through the emotional turmoil.”
“And your brother?”
“He just got out of surgery and is in ICU. Looks like he’ll make it. I had to call my mom and dad. They got here right away but basically went straight to Brad’s room. Seemed like there was a rift between my mom and dad, but they didn’t say anything about it.”
He sounded so matter-of-fact and not at all upset over seeing his parents that El knew he’d made a step forward with them, and she couldn’t be happier for him.
“So what about you?” he asked. “Now that we found Lucy alive, do you think that’ll help clear away any guilt you’ve been feeling over Victoria?”
“I really think it’s behind me now. Sure, it’ll probably come up from time to time, but thanks to God, I’m moving on.” She never thought she would say that.
