Page 66 of The Lake Escape
But perhaps I’m keeping it all too closely guarded. Maybe I should let Lucas in because two sets of eyes are better than one. I debate with myself how much to share.Can I trust him?
I’d rather have Taylor as an ally, but she went into town with Erika. Lucas is my best option, especially since he’s already involved and practically begging to help. Besides, David is now connected to two missing women, knocking Lucas down on my suspect list.
The upbeat music around the campfire brings little joy to the evening meal. There’s no more Christian or Fiona. It’s just Julia, who is morose; Rick, who is being his usual grouchy self; and David and the twins. It’s not easy to slip away unnoticed, but I manage to get Lucas alone by the water.
When I’m sure the coast is clear, I take out the photograph, which I’ve been carrying with me for safekeeping.
“Look at this chain,” I tell him.
He studies it carefully, but it’s clear he doesn’t recognize it.
“David wears one just like it,” I say. “It’s the same one, Lucas, I’m sure of it. I think the boy in this picture isDavid.”
Lucas knits his brows, clearly unconvinced.
“Girls notice jewelry more than guys, even rockers who wear ankh pendants.”
He blushes, touching his ankh, which dangles from a thin cord around his neck. “Point taken, but what do we do?” he asks.
“If you really want to help, first you have to promise to keep thisquiet. We don’t want to spook him. Who knows what he might do if he gets scared. That detective is on him already, and she’s not letting up.”
“I can keep a secret, don’t worry. So what’s the plan?” he wants to know.
I tell him my big idea to use my eagle eyes, but Lucas finds a flaw in my thinking.
“Doesn’t his phone use FaceID?”
“Shit,” I mutter, but joy sparks anew. “But he’s wearing a hat and sunglasses. Maybe he’ll need to enter his passcode anyway.”
Lucas brightens. “Let me get the code for you,” he suggests. “I have something with better eyesight than anybody here.” Lucas holds up his phone. “Ask David to take a picture of you and the kids, and I’ll record him over his shoulder. He’ll be so focused on you he won’t notice me.”
Smart thinking.We head back to the campfire, our plan in place.
I slip back into nanny mode upon our return, grateful to see David has kept his hat and glasses on.
“Kids, let’s take a picture together for your father,” I tell them. “The light is perfect.”
This isn’t a lie. The horizon is brushed with a brilliant shade of orange, almost as if the sky is on fire. “David,” I say, as cheery as the cherry on top of the kids’ banana splits, “can you take a picture? The light is beautiful.”
David is more than happy to oblige. I broaden my smile, praying that David doesn’t notice Lucas hovering close behind him. The kids are more observant than their father. Brody points at Lucas, but I subtly shake my head and send him a telling smile.We’re playing a trick on Daddy,my twinkling eyes say. Now it’s a game and the kids buy in without additional prodding.
“Look at me, Daddy!” cheers Becca.
“No, me,” Brody insists.
David’s all smiles as he takes out his phone. It feels like a bomb is about to explode inside my chest, but I manage to stay bright for the camera. I think I see him enter his passcode, but I can’t be sure.
He takes a few pictures, checks, and is pleased enough to show me the results. As expected, they’re as cute as can be. But more important, Lucas sends me a discreet thumbs-up, and I know we’ve scored.
“Nice pics,” says Lucas.
David whirls around, but thankfully Lucas had stashed his phone in his pocket.
“Right,” David grumbles at him. He has no warmth for Lucas. Maybe it was just a drunken kiss, but I don’t think David is as forgiving as he says he is.
I’m curious how he’ll react when he gets exposed.
Chapter 29
