Page 75 of Skin and Bones

“You helped dispose of her body,” I whispered, the pieces clicking into place. “You helped cover it up.”

He nodded, a muscle working in his jaw. “Like I said, I didn’t have a choice. I’d taken a lot of money from Harrington Construction to look the other way on some permit violations. Did some other jobs for them too. Enough to end my career before it began. He found out about it. I don’t know how, but he did.”

“He?” I asked, immediately thinking of Clint Harrington and the conversation we’d had.

“Doesn’t matter who,” Reynolds snapped. “What matters is, it happened. And when Sheriff Beckett started digging it all up again, I had to take action. Break into the evidence room, get rid of anything that might lead back to me.” His laugh was bitter. “Never expected you to find that diary. Or that ledger in the lighthouse.”

“How’d you know about that?” I asked.

“I got a call,” he said. “Nothing stays secret long on Grimm Island.”

“You planted the watch in my house,” I said. It wasn’t a question.

“Had to keep you off balance. Figured if you were scared enough, you’d back off.” He shrugged. “Should have known that wouldn’t work. You’re as stubborn as those old fossils you run around with.”

“Was that you following me too?” I asked.

He looked confused at that. “I followed you because the sheriff told me to.”

“That wasn’t you in the dark sedan?” I asked.

“Stop trying to confuse me with your nonsense,” he said. “I’ve got a pounding headache.”

“Maybe it’s a brain tumor,” I said.

“You’re a real pain in the behind.”

“So what now?” I asked, working my wrists against the zip ties as subtly as possible. The plastic was unyielding, but I’d noticed a rusty nail protruding from the arm of the chair. If I could position my hand just right…

“Now we wait,” Reynolds said, checking his watch again. “He’ll be here soon and then he can handle the situation.”

My blood ran cold. “You mean kill me.”

“Not my problem what he decides to do with you,” Reynolds said. “I’m washing my hands of the whole thing. You’re the one who kept pushing, kept digging. Some secrets are worth killing for.”

“Like Elizabeth’s secret? What did she know that was worth dying for?” I pressed, my fingertips inching toward the nail.

“Wrong question,” Reynolds replied. “It’s not what she knew. It’s who she threatened.” He moved to the boathouse door, peering out into the darkness. “She would’ve ruined everything.”

Before I could press further, his phone rang, the shrill tone slicing through the tense atmosphere. Reynolds pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen. His face paled visibly.

When he answered I couldn’t hear the anger in his voice, but I could see it on his face. “Yes, she’s here. No one followed us. I made sure of it.”

I strained to hear the voice on the other end, but could make out nothing beyond a muffled baritone.

“Understood,” he said. “Twenty minutes.” He hung up, shoving the phone back into his pocket. “Arrogant jerk.”

“Who was that?” I asked, though I was pretty sure I didn’t want to know the answer.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” he said. “Then you’re his problem.”

My heart rate kicked up several more notches, jackhammering against my ribs with such force I felt light-headed. I forced down the hysteria that wanted to bubble up and focused instead on the nail that was now pressing against my zip tie. If I could just get the right angle…

A flash of headlights swept across the boathouse window, illuminating Reynolds’ face in a ghastly white glow.

“He’s here,” Reynolds said, and I felt fear like I never had before. Something in his voice made me realize that Reynolds was afraid too. We were both expendable. Loose ends to be tied up.

“False alarm,” he said. “It was just a boat cutting across the water.”

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