Page 73 of The Ice Sisters

Mazie shook her again. “Please don’t die, Mama.”

EIGHTY-EIGHT

EMERALD FALLS

A sob wrenched from deep inside Barb’s soul. The twins were dead and now Claire was gone, too.

Tears fell like raindrops, sliding down her cheeks and dripping from her chin.

She needed to get help. Call the police. Tell them everything.

But first she had to find Ros and talk to Loretta.

Grief swelling inside her, she stroked Claire’s cold cheek, a wave of nausea overcoming her. Who had done this? And why?

Were Mazie and Ivy in danger? And Ros and Loretta?

Her hand trembled as she swiped at her tears. A noise rattled somewhere in the basement.

She held her breath and listened again. The eerie silence surrounded her, adding to her fear.

She had to get out of here. Forget protecting their secrets.

She’d find her friends, make sure the girls were safe, then they’d go to the police together.

Fear tightened her chest, but she pressed her hands over Claire’s eyes and closed them, then kissed her fingers and brushed them across her friend’s cheek. “I’m sorry, Claire. I’ll find the animal who killed you and the twins and I’ll make them pay.”

Fury eating at her, she eased out the door, tense with nerves as she closed it behind her. Quietly, she tiptoed up the staircase and out the back door. She hit the ground running, her breath panting out as she jumped in her car and headed toward Emerald Falls.

EIGHTY-NINE

EMERALD FALLS

Mazie shook her mama again and tried to get her to sip some water, but she was unresponsive. Fear clogged Mazie’s throat. Her mama’s face felt so hot Mazie jerked her hand away.

How much longer could they live like this? She’d heard people whispering about another possible ice storm on the way.

People were starting to leave the festival for the day, the booths and games shutting down.

“Mama, it’s Mazie,” she whispered again. “I’ve got food.”

Mama’s eyes lolled back in her head and her body jerked then went limp. Mazie grabbed her arm. “Mama, can you hear me?”

Her stomach clenched. Mama was getting sicker and sicker. She needed help.

She stood, debating whether to go into the restaurant but remembered the nice taco lady.

“I’ll be right back,” she said then kissed her mother’s cheek.

But she felt someone behind her. She swallowed hard, afraid the drug store man had found her. But it was Ms. Barbara.

“Oh, my word,” Ms. Barbara said. “What’s going on here, honey?”

“It’s Mama,” Mazie cried. “She’s sick. I was going to get help for her.”

Santa suddenly appeared behind Ms. Barbara and looked at her mother’s crumpled body. “This is the reason you asked me to help your mother,” Santa said.

Ms. Barbara turned toward him. “We’re fine. I’ll take care of her.”

---