Page 17 of Silencing Stolen Whispers
“Tell you what?”
Noah's jaw clenched, but she held her ground.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you went to Dad about Calvin Gantz.”
Hearing the killer’s name fall from her brother’s lips was like a physical blow. He had never spoken aloud about what happened that night, and she desperately wanted to keep it that way.
Kinsley rested her hand on his arm and led him toward the far end of the porch, away from the open windows and the front door. She placed her purse and the dessert on the wooden railing.
“Listen to me very carefully, Noah. Dad has no idea that you helped me that night. You’re in the clear,” Kinsley emphasized, needing him to understand the importance of her words. “We both agreed we would never speak about what happened, and it’s going to stay that way. When we go inside, we’ll say that you were convincing me to join the family up at the cabin in August. I’ll?—”
“As much as you might want to believe we’re in the clear, we’re not. I know about the notes, Kin. I was looking for a pen in Dad's office drawer yesterday. Lily and I were visiting him at the office. She was doing homework, and she left her pencils in my car.” Noah ran a hand through his short blond hair, causing it to stick up in uneven spikes. “Eight notes, identical envelopes, and all with your name on them in some weird blocky handwriting. We’re nowhere near being in the clear, Kin.”
“You opened them?”
“Of course, I opened them.” Noah's whisper was sharp as he glared at her with what could be termed as disappointment. She sensed it was more in frustration. “Jesus Christ, Kin. You should have called me.”
“And what would you have done, Noah?” Kinsley glanced over her shoulder, afraid that Dylan or Owen would overhear them. Or worse, Lily. Kinsley closed her eyes for a brief moment, wanting desperately to bring this conversation to a close. “Yes, I’ve received some notes. I thought it was in my best interest togive Dad a dollar. I confessed to him what happened that night. I shot Gantz. I explained that he threatened Lily, and I believed with all my heart that he would follow through with his threat to hurt her. Dad knows that I dragged his body back to his car, drove it up north, and let it sink to the bottom of Terrapin Lake. Me, and me alone.”
“Kin, you can’t?—”
“I can,” Kinsley insisted, not willing to change her mind. “I did, Noah. My actions, my responsibility. It’s done. Dad knows, and if it ever comes down to it, he’ll represent me.”
Noah pressed his fingers against his closed eyes briefly. When he finally met her gaze, it was obvious he was furious with her decision. And…fearful?
Kinsley's throat tightened so much that she couldn’t speak. He turned away from her, both hands gripping the yellow wooden railing for support. His shoulders rose and fell with each controlled breath.
“Noah,” Kinsley said softly, “I told Dad exactly what I needed to tell him—and that I was receiving anonymous notes. You said it yourself. It’s the same message over and over and over again. Not once did this individual mention your involvement. I don’t think it’s real.”
Kinsley reached for his shoulder but stopped short of touching him.
“Dad doesn't know you were there that night, and I don’t think this person does, either.”
“And how does that work, Kin? If someone knows what you did, they must know I was involved, too. I answered your call. I came straight to you that night. I helped you sink his body and his car into that godforsaken lake.” Noah turned to face her. “I would do the same thing if you called me tonight, no question. That’s not what this is about. You can’t keep me in the dark, Kin. I can’t get caught off guard.”
For the first time since that fateful October, Kinsley realized just how much Noah had been affected by her actions. She had killed a man, and her brother had helped cover the crime. Noah had to live with her sins, too.
“I’m sorry,” Kinsley replied with genuine remorse. “I didn’t think?—”
“I don’t want your apologies, Kin. I would die to protect my daughter, my family. You. That was never in question, and it’s not up for debate now.” Noah reached out and drew her to him. She rested her head on his chest, allowing the small bit of comfort that she had been denying herself for so long. “I love you, kid. What you chose to do for my daughter is something that I can never repay. Yesterday, I was just…blindsided.”
Kinsley slowly pulled away, needing him to know one truth.
“Noah, if it ever comes down to it, I will turn myself in before I let them touch you. I'll say I acted alone. I'll say I lied to you about what happened that night. I'll say whatever I need to say to keep you and Lily safe.”
“Why don’t we deal with that when…if…the time comes, alright?”
The heavy moment between them was broken by the sudden vibration of her phone in her purse. She wasn’t upset about the interruption, either. The thought of sitting down with everyone after such an emotional discussion made her sick to her stomach.
Kinsley retrieved her phone. Alex’s name appeared on the bright screen, and she didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Shouldn’t you be having a conversation with Wally about headbands?” Kinsley asked in greeting.
“That’s all on you, remember?” Alex prompted, though he didn’t give her a chance to reply. “Wally is on his own tonight. Jade Patel finally returned my call. She's coming into the station.”
“Now?”
“Now.”
