Page 28 of The Haunting of Paynes Hollow
To her—to everyone—Austin Vandergriff had been my friend. Always part of our group of kids, hanging out with me, always with me.
But it hadn’t been like that.
It hadn’t been like that at all.
I work alongside Gail until Josie comes by late in the afternoon. Then we both take a break. Gail seems ready to leave us alone, but Josie insists she join us for pie and coffee, and the three of us have a good time, settling in and maneuvering around awkward first-time conversation to find points of contact and relax into them.
Before Josie goes, she suggests coming by at the same time tomorrow, doing her round of the property and then we can finish off the pie. I happily agree. Josie isn’t the only one starved for company her own age. When I moved away from Chicago, I left behind all my college and work friends. In Syracuse, I hadn’t had time to make new ones—too busy with work and Mom, letting Gail fill the friendship gap. But it’s nice to chat with someone who isn’t related to me, and when I say I’ll look forward to seeing her tomorrow, I’m not just being polite.
After Josie leaves, it’s shopping time. I’ve made up a list for meals. And that’s when Gail and I have our next fight.
“No, I’m not coming along,” I say. “I don’t want to take a chance leaving the property.”
“And I don’t want to leave you here with some barefoot drifter sleeping in the shed.”
“There was no sign that he’s been sleeping in the shed.”
“What about the other cottages? Did they check those?”
I pause. “No one thought of it.”
“Right. So he could be in there. I’m not leaving until we’re sure he’s gone.”
“Then we’re going to starve, Gail, because I can’t risk being two minutes late getting back and have Ben Vandergriff jump to call Ms. Jimenez, and I lose out on ten million dollars because we got stuck behind a tractor.”
Her mouth firms in a hard line. “This business with the Vandergriff boy is ridiculous.”
“Ben isn’t a boy. He’s only six years younger than you.”
She continues as if I hadn’t spoken. “I want to explain the situation to the lawyer. You are trapped here, and your jailer is a man who apparently holds you responsible for something your father did.”
“What my father did wasmurderhis brother.” I catch her flinch. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re right. I’m not saying Ben doesn’t have a reason to hate our family, but neither of you should be forced into this situation. I will speak to Ms. Jimenez.”
“And get Ben fired? Lose the pension his dad receives if Ben sticks this out?”
“Well, maybe Ben should have thought of that before he was rude to you.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. “Rudeness is not a capital offense, Gail. If I complain to Ms. Jimenez, then I seem like exactly the spoiled brat Ben expects. And if I cost him his payout, he has more reason to hate me… and retaliate.”
“So we’re stuck with him?”
I squeeze her arm. “Let’s see how this goes. As for the groceries, it’s better that you leave while it’s still early and full light.”
She hesitates.
“Even if I didn’t see anyone in the shed, it doesn’t mean no one else is on the property, Gail. It’s three hundred acres with a mile of beachfront. Those piddly signs at the gate aren’t stopping anyone who really wants to hike or camp here.”
“We should start patrolling.”
“And if we find someone? We tell them it’s private property, and they say so what?” I shake my head. “Let’s leave patrols and possible confrontations to the armed deputy.”
“I think you should learn how to use my gun.”
“Okay.”
Her eyes narrow. “Don’t humor me, Sam.”
