Page 92 of The Cottage on Plum Island
Please don’t be any creepy critters in there.Don’t be a baby, Jennifer. In the past two days, you’ve found a dead body, met Andrew and his family, and got entangled in a dangerous mess, but you’re scared of a few small tree critters.Jennifer still shuddered at the thought of sticking her hand into that little dark hole in the tree.
She turned her face slightly and was about to reach into the tree when she was stopped.
“I can do that for you,” her kidnapper said, reaching in and finding the key. He dusted it off and handed it to Jennifer. “Here you go.”
He stood behind the large tree, his eyes scanning the area.
“Thank you,” Jennifer hurried to the front door and unlocked it, wondering where the other car’s occupants were.
She didn’t have long to wait to get her answer. As she pushed the door open, Angela called her.
“Jennifer!”
Jennifer turned to see her and Annie Liddle, or rather Montgomery, running toward them. Before they reached the front door, the man who’d kidnapped her stepped out from behind the tree, making the two women skid to a halt as they stared at him in shock.
Oh no!Jennifer’s pulse began to race in fear as she saw the expression of fright on the woman’s face and was about to doubt her judgment of him when the situation did an about-turn.
“Wallis!” Angela’s fear faded, and she flung herself into his arms, tears springing. “I thought you were dead.” She pushed herself back for a few seconds, looking at him, and her voice became frantic. “Clair! They got Clair.”
While the scene unfolding was emotionally charged, Jennifer couldn’t help sighing in relief that her kidnapper had been telling the truth. Her eyes widened as his words about his father and mother rushed through her mind:Even my own mother believed my father’s lies.Her brow creased as she watched the exchange between Wallis and Angela. Annie stood to one side, keeping a careful eye out.
What did your father lie about, Wallis?Jennifer’s frown deepened. Wallis said he was ten when he found out who his father really was.How old is Wallis?She reviewed everything he’d rambled about in the car on their way to Beach Plum Cottage.
“I know,” Wallis told Angela, pulling her to him again. His voice was hoarse with emotion. “I know.”
“I knew you’d find us,” Angela told Wallis and then looked toward Jennifer with a watery smile. “I knew you’d come too.”
“Who can ignore a text message:At Beach Plum Cottage, we need help. The BAD MAN is after us?“ Jennifer recounted the message Angela had sent her.And here I am, following two crazy people down yet another adrenaline-fueling, terror-invoking adventure!She gave herself a mental shake.Not crazy people, Jennifer. Emotionally unstable people!She corrected herself.
“Jennifer?” Annie’s voice snapped her from her thoughts.
Jennifer stepped back when she realized Annie had moved and was standing right before her.
“You need to wear a bell,” Jennifer told Annie.
“We need to get inside,” Annie said.
“Not before you tell me why you and your nephew were moving Clair’s body into that car?” Jennifer’s pulse started racing as she faced the older woman with shrewd eyes.
“I’ll tell you once we’re inside and safe,” Annie bargained.
“Why are you atmyhouse?“ Jennifer suddenly asked. “How did you know where I lived?”
The thought finally occurred to her. With everything that had happened, Jennifer hadn’t realized she’d never told Angela where she lived, yet Angela somehow knew.
“We were told to come here,” Angela told Jennifer, moving beside Annie. “We’d be safer here.”
“Who told you to come here?” Jennifer’s eyes narrowed as she slightly turned her face as she asked.
“Betty!” Annie replied, her words sending shock waves down Jennifer’s spine.
“My Aunt Betty!” Jennifer pointed at her chest, and confusion rushed through her.
“Do you know any other Bettys?” Annie looked at her with raised brows.
“Please, Jennifer,” Angela implored. “Give Wallis the garage remote so he can hide the cars.”
Jennifer’s confusion had escalated. This was all getting too much, and she realized it was way more complex than just a simple out-for-revenge or avenge plot. This mystery had more twists and turns than the gnarled oak tree out the back of her house that looked like all its branches had been twisted in a heavy wind.
