Page 43 of Sloth
“What if she saw through me? She’s my best friend and she’s like a damn pitbull when it comes to protecting those she cares about,” she explains as we make our way up the path toward her front door.
“Listen, I think this whole mystery surrounding Matthew’s death is playing havoc with your head, and you're looking for conclusions. Ones that make you feel safe; it’s a coping mechanism.” I explain my theory to her, hoping she doesn’t take offense.
“Since when did you get your doctorate in psychology?" she asks with that look on her face that tells me it’s time for me to shut the hell up.
I knock on the door and take her hand while we wait. She quickly pulls it free when Liza’s mom answers, reminding methat we’re still not telling anyone about what we are to each other.
“Erin, it’s so good to see you.” Mrs. Kendrick does the head tilt and nod manoeuvre, that seems to come naturally to people when they’re talking to someone who's lost someone they love. I have to remember that everyone in this town still sees Erin as the poor, young woman who tragically lost her husband.
“Is Liza home?” Erin asks.
“No, she didn’t come home last night. But that's hardly surprising. She treats this place like it’s a hotel.” Her mom shakes her head, and I know it’s gonna instantly amplify Erin’s worry. “I saw Sawyer West loading a keg on the back of his truck yesterday afternoon. I’ll bet there was a party at the lake house.” She smiles, thinking that she’s being helpful.
“Come on, we need to go.” Erin grips me by the front of my t-shirt and drags me back to the truck. “Thanks, Mrs. Kendrick,” she alls back over her shoulder.
“I told you something was wrong.” She shakes her head as I drive us toward the lake house where Noah Wylde lives.
“You don’t know that there's anything wrong. All we have right now is an assumption that she went to a River boys party last night,” I remind her.
“And that she lied to her best friend.” Erin starts scrolling through her phone, and I notice how her hands shake.
“You need to calm down.” I’m really starting to worry about her, and when she tries to call Liza again and she fails to answer, I have to admit I’m starting to worry about her friend, too.
“Stay in here,” I tell her when we eventually get to the lake house, and I’m surprised that she does as she’s told, continuing to try calling Liza while I head for the door. I have to dodge all the empty bottles and discarded cups, and when I see the shutter open, I let myself in and call through.
“You got another paedo you want dismembered?” I almost jump outta my skin when I feel him breathing down my neck.
“Will you keep your voice down! I got my girl in the truck.” I spin around and wonder how the fuck he crept up on me like that.
“Ever heard of knocking?” he asks, taking the blunt he has from behind his ear and sparking it up.
“Door was open and I’m lookin’ for someone. Have you seen Liza Kendrick around?”
“Liza who?” Noah stares back at me blankly.
“Liza Kendrick.” I close my eyes and growl in frustration when I hear Erin’s voice coming from the door. “She’s got long, brown hair, about my height, and she was here last night.” I see her trying to dodge the broken glass on the floor and head over to help her.
“There were a lot of girls here last night.” Noah wets his lips, and noticing the way it makes my girl blush makes me wanna dismember him.
“I thought I told you to stay in the truck.” I swear this woman will be the death of me.
“Yeah, well, Liza stands out.” Erin ignores me and approaches Noah fearlessly. “She’s feisty, she’s hilarious, and she’s my best friend.” She holds up her phone to show him a photo of her, and when he blows the smoke from his spliff in her direction, I waft it away with my hand.
“She’s pregnant,” I tell him.
“She’s also in my fuckin’ house.” He proves he ain’t gonna let it worry him, taking his time to study the picture before handing it back to her.
“She was here; some guy in a fancy truck showed up to pick her up around midnight.” He shrugs, taking a seat on the couch and tapping out a line on the coffee table with a razor.
“Come on, let's get outta here.” I try urging Erin to the door, but she stands firm.
“What guy? What did he look like?” She pushes Noah for more.
“I don’t know, he didn’t get outta the truck. All I remember is that your friend was wasted.”
“Wasted? No, there's a mistake. Liza’s pre—she wouldn’t have been drinking.” Erin cuts herself off before she gives her friend’s secret away to someone else.
“Drinking? Who said anything about her drinking? You must know this is the only place in Fork River where you can score, right?” He chuckles proudly as he chases the line with a rolled-up fifty, and snorts it right back.
