Page 86 of The Tomorrows After You
Ipressedmy lips into a thin smile andnodded. Hehesitateda moment,seeingthe tightness in my face. I didn’t want him to worry.
“Hey, what do you think aboutgoingback to the lake tonight? Maybe pack a tent and do a little mini-camp trip? See if Brennan wants to go?”Iofferedand Riotperkedup, happilypreoccupiedwith my distraction.
“That sounds like a great idea,I’llthrow some stuff in the truck.”
Before he turned to go, he pressed his lips wholeheartedly against mine one more time, inhaling softly, his dark lashes closed so I followed suit. I felt drunk, frozen in place when Riot pulled away, flashing me another grin before walking to his truck. I studied his firm figure, the way his hips and backside flexed as he walked. I stood there and the only way I could admittedly describe it wasswoon-worthy.
I had to come clean with him. I just needed today.
Chelsea hadn’t been kidding about the Valley going downhill. It was startling. I drove into the small community. Front lawns were soovergrown that you could hardly see the dorm-like townhouses that were built there. It was hard to believe that only a mile or two down the road sat beautiful, sprawling farmhouses and suburban colonials.
Peoplesaton the front steps of their homes,gatheredin groups of four or five every few houses. Isawa few kids running through a sprinkler thatsatnestledin a foot of tall grass.
The homes were basic and kind of cute but even the ones that were well taken care of were overshadowed by their deteriorating neighbors.
Eventually, even the most beautiful flowers will get choked out by the thickness of overgrown weeds.
My knuckles rapped on Emery Plainbottom’s door. Brief rustling subsided to silence.
A man who should be my father’s agestoodin front of me. Only he didn’t look my father’s age. Helookedat least twenty years older. His speckled skinwasthin andsaggingas ifmeltingoff him. An oxygen tube ran under his nose and hooked behind his ears. Hewashunchedover at barely five foot five. Despite his decrepit appearance, hehadbright brown eyes thatwereinquisitive despite the redness around his retinas.
“Hi, Emery Plainbottom? I’m Nicolette—”
“Parker, yes, I know. Youwentto school with Katie, right? Come on in.”
He waved me in and retreated inside without even knowing why I was there. Sometimes southern hospitality had its perks. He gestured for me to sit on an old floral-print couch. A coffee table sat in the middle of the room scattered with prescription bottles and a tea kettle.
“What brings you to the Valley, my dear?”His wristsshookviolently while hetriedto pour hot water from the kettle. Ireachedout to grab it but hewavedme off.“I gotta do it on my own. Keeps me sharp.”Hegaveme a toothy grin, sitting in the oversized electric lounge chair.
“Well, it might be a sensitive topic and I want you to know that everythingisoff the record. Thisispurely human curiosity.”
He nodded, rolling his eyes. “Dear, I’m too old for niceties. What canI do for you?”
Straight to the point then.
“Grace Asher,”Isaidher name clearly andstudiedhis reaction. A sincere sadnesswashedover him, his headbobbingup and down.“I’mhopingyou could tell me about the crime scene. As much as you can remember at least.”
He was surprised. “I’ll never forgetthatday.” He blew out a long breath before taking a sip of tea and leaning back into his chair. “I’m curious why you ask about her, though. That case has been closed for some years now. Time served and everything.”
Ichosemy words carefully.“I’vebeenrentingout a room on the Asher property for the past few weeks. I guessI’mtryingto better understand whathappenedthat night.I’mhaving a hard timeconnectingsuch a brutal death with the two men I share a space with. They just don’t seem the type.”
Emery looked at me pointedly. “The first thing you should know is thateveryoneis capable ofanythinggiven the right circumstances.”
I nodded like it was a profound thought but the truth was, I had learned that a long time ago.
“Of course. I read the police report and there were just a few things that seemed inconsistent with how R—” I paused, “um, how theboysremember it. Do you remember where you found Grace?”
“Oh yes, I might be full of cancer and drugs but the image of that poor womanwillbeburnedin my brain until the good Lord calls me home.”His grim expressionhelda hint of humor.“Which should be any day now.”
I offered him a sympathetic smile.
“The way their house was laid out — the kitchen opened up into the family room. The dining room was off to the side here.” He gestured with his hands, resting his head as if looking off into some distant memory. “She was lyin’ on her back, halfway between the kitchen and dining room. Eyes still wide with fear.” He shook his head despondently. “Couldn’t imagine the terror, your own boy…” His tongue made a clicking noise, and I masked my indignantbristle.
“You’re sure she was face up toward the dining room? The boys seem to remember everything happening in the living room and…endingin the kitchen.”
“Oh, I’m sure. I’m not going to call myself a forensic specialist or nothin’ but I’ll never forget that look of terror on her face.”
“I thought the house burned down. Her body was still… identifiable?”
