Page 40 of Whispers of the Lake

“I’m sorry if I triggered you,” I added quickly. “But you know I wouldn’t ask for this if it wasn’t urgent.”

“Damn right I’m triggered,” he mumbled. “I don’t do that stuff anymore, Rosette.”

“I wholeheartedly understand.” I stayed quiet, waiting him out.

I could tell he was contemplating it. “The last time I did something like that, I almost killed that guy.”

“I know, but that guy deserved it. He was hurting your cousin. Andthisguy? If I don’t get to him sooner rather than later, I’ll never know where Eve is. He was abusive, Nico. He beat on her every day until she finally got out. I can’t figure out why she let him back in, and I don’t want to get into a whole domestic abuse spiel, but . . . he doesn’t deserve to walk free. Just like your dad didn’t deserve to walk free.”

Nico poured out a long sigh. “Fuck.”

“Think about your mom, Nico. Think about how you helped her and Caitlin. Your sister is so much happier now. If you hadn’t gotten there in time, Caitlin would’ve died.”

“Fuck.Fine, Rosette. Fine!”

I released a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Nico!”

“Don’t thank me,” he grumbled. “Always striking where it hurts. You’re too good at that shit.” He sighed again. I bet Nico hated that Herbert had told me all about his past. “If I do this, it’ll be the last time I ever do it. Understand?”

“Yep, I understand. Trust me, I’ll never ask you for something like this again.”

He huffed and I heard him tapping away on his keyboard. “What’s the fucker’s name?”

“Lincoln Fowler.”

“ ’Kay. On it.”

“Thank you so much. Call me when you find out where he is.”

“I want free Chipotle for a month,” he grumbled.

I busted out laughing. “You do this for me, and I’ll buy you Chipotle for a year.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

When I parked in front of Twilight Oaks and stepped out of the car, my phone vibrated in my hand. A text from Diana came across.

Zoey just told me you guys still haven’t heard from Eve. What’s going on with her?

I walked into the cottage, locked the door, then texted her back.

No one has heard from her. Just filed a missing person’s report. Not like her to just disappear. Not only that but I found her backup iPhone. She has recent pics with Lincoln.

I tapped send but the message failed to go through. “Oh, come on.”

This wasn’t going to work. If I didn’t have service, how was I going to hear from Nico, or even Sheriff Reed if he discovered something? I went to the patio doors and slid them open to walk along the top of the hill and hold my phone in the muggy air. Now that the rain had passed (for now), it was humid. When I hit send again, it took a few seconds, but the text went through.

Then Cole’s name appeared on the screen. I swear I was going to punch that man in the throat. Just one good time so he’d leave me alone.

“What do you want, Cole?” I answered with a snap.

“I just got off the phone with Herbert.”

“Why were you talking to Herbert?”

“I was trying to figure out where you were. Wanted you to know in person that I signed the papers.”

Was I supposed to clap and sing his praises?

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