"Let's see the whole display," he said and rubbed his hands together.
I plugged it in and the strings of connected multi-colored lights came to life. A few of my neighbors had already lit up their displays even though the sun hadn't quite set. The multi-colored lights were already jarring against the other cookie-cutter houses' white lights. "Thank you for your help with these," I said. "With everything really."
He smiled. "Of course. And if you happen upon those missing files..."
"I'll take another look. I promise." He'd fake promised me a lot of things too. Now we were even.
"And if you hear anything about Noah or Ben. You let me know."
Of course. But I had nothing to tell him anymore. Noah was probably already running through the woods out back. And every second I stood here, the farther away he got.
Detective Torres shook my hand before climbing into his car. I watched him drive down the street, past all the perfectly manicured lawns and white lights, until he was out of view.
And then I ran. I knew I should have just gotten into my car and driven away. I had an escape plan and I should have already started the process. But Noah didn't remember me. He didn't remember what he had done. He'd ruined every single one of my plans ever since he'd fallen down the bloody stairs. And I wasn't done with him yet. So I didn't run to the garage to drive away. I ran to the back yard and into the woods.
I pulled out my taser as I ducked under a branch. I wanted to call out Noah's name but I didn't dare, just in case I wasn't alone out here. This was the only way for him to escape. Straight through the woods, past the lake, and out to the main road. He didn't know I was hot on his trail though. I could catch up. Maybe.
My feet ached from running in my boots. And my bangs stuck to my forehead with sweat. But I made it to the clearing by the lake in record time. I turned in a circle, staring at the forest all around the lake. But there was nothing out here. Nothing but caution tape, warning you to stay away from the lake.
A snowflake landed on the tip of my nose. I looked up to see the flurries swirling through the air. Snow so close to Christmas always felt special. But today it just felt like a bad omen. Snow meant the temperature was below freezing.
I stared out at the lake as the snow slowly fell. Every inch of that lake had been searched for bodies. A total of three had been pulled out of the cold depths thanks to Detective Torres' failure on his last case. It was the perfect place to hide another one. No one was going to be searching here again anytime soon.
Sinking a dead body into this lake was on my to-do list right after getting my answers. Well, as an option at least. Just in case things went south. It was a great plan. Flawless in every way I thought it through.
There was just one problem. The lake was completely frozen over. I never expected the temperatures to drop so quickly before Christmas. I watched as the snowflakes land on top of the ice in silence.
Actually there were two problems. Not only was the lake frozen, but I'd lost the body that I wanted to hide in the lake. Noah was gone. The snow started to pick up as I stared at the sheet of ice.
Now I'd never get my answers. I'd never figure out if I had what it took to get away with the perfect crime. I thought I'd cry. But instead a scream pierced through the silence. I touched my lips. I wouldn't have even realized it was me screaming if my lips weren't parted. Maybe Noah was right all along. Maybe I was crazy.
Chapter 17
Sunday
I opened the front door as quietly as possible. I knew Noah was gone. He'd just run through the woods faster than me so I couldn't catch up. I knew that. It was the only logical conclusion. But a tiny part of me hoped that I was wrong. What if
he hadn't left? What if he'd hidden in the crawl space to...protect me?
At the same time though, I hoped he had left. Because I was terrified that he was still inside. I'd drugged him. I'd tied him up. I'd gotten him drunk. I'd tried to starve him. I'd tased him while his pants were around his ankles. I'd made him pee in a litter box. I'd pushed him down the stairs. Slipped. He slipped down the stairs.
God, if he was in there, he might try to kill me. If the tables were turned, I'm sure I would try to kill him. I'd think of a million ways to murder him and pick the best one.
Outside was a winter wonderland. Even though the sun had set, there was that strange orange glow in the air that always accompanied snow at night. It was magical. Some of the neighborhood kids were running around their yards catching snowflakes on their tongues. But it wasn't magical for me. Because I was staring into a dark house praying not to be murdered. The children's laughter echoed around me as I pushed the door open farther. Why had I stood at the lake for so long? If I'd hurried back I wouldn't be walking into a dark house.
"Noah?" I whispered.
Silence.
I pulled my taser out and held it in front of me. "Noah?"
Snuggle Muffins barking almost made me scream.
"Jesus, you scared me." I lifted my finger to my lips. "We have to be quiet." I lifted his furry little body and held him in front of me like a shield. I thought his presence might comfort me, but it didn't. Now I was just worried that me and my dog were about to be murdered.
More children's laughter behind me sent a chill down my spine. Get a grip. I stepped into the house and quickly flicked on the lights. I breathed a sigh of relief when the foyer was empty.
"See, it's fine," I said more to myself than Snuggle Muffins. "We're fine." I peered into the living room and held my breath as I flipped on those lights too. Nothing. The room looked remarkably unremarkable like always. But still I found myself whispering, "Noah?"