Invitation Only Murder by Leslie Meier

Author:Leslie Meier
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2019-10-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The question hung in the air for a few moments, as Lucy decided to let Taylor answer the question. She was only a guest, after all, and Taylor had been the one who was supposed to be keeping an eye on the boys. But Taylor remained silent.

“Did you ring the dinner bell?” demanded Lily.

“Several times, but they didn’t come,” said Lucy, feeling sick. What if something terrible had happened to the twins? The island was full of dangers: cliffs to fall from, ponds to drown in, and dangerous tides.

“It was Lucy’s idea,” said Taylor, reverting to playground rules. “She sent them out on a scavenger hunt.”

“In this fog? Are you crazy?” demanded Lily, rising from her seat and glaring at Lucy.

Lucy felt she had to defend herself. “Taylor and I worked on it together,” said Lucy. “We were very careful when we made the list. We only included things that are easily available in safe locations. Pinecones and pebbles and stuff like that.”

Lily was not impressed. “I can’t believe you sent them outdoors in this dreadful fog. It was an insane thing to do. This island is dangerous.”

“Lucy thought it would be fun for them and take their minds off Parker’s death,” said Taylor.

“Is this true?” asked Scott, rousing himself as the realization that his twin sons might be in trouble penetrated his alcoholic haze. “Are the boys out in the fog?”

“Taylor said they know every inch of the island and they’d be fine,” said Lucy, who was beginning to feel she’d been conned and was now going to be the scapegoat. “And Taylor promised to keep an eye on them. Isn’t that right?” she asked, turning to Taylor.

“What were you doing, Taylor?” demanded Scott. “Why didn’t you watch the boys?”

“It was the fog,” said Taylor. “I lost track of them.”

“So why didn’t you end the hunt right then?” asked Lily.

“Because they were having a good time,” said Taylor. “I could hear them laughing and it’s like Dad always says, the island is the boys’ playground. I never thought they’d be in any danger.”

Lily was incredulous. “Your sister just died falling off a cliff and you think this island is safe for two little eight-year-olds?”

“Don’t point your finger at me!” snarled Taylor. “It’s Dad who dragged us here. It’s all his fault. Take it up with him. Meanwhile, instead of wasting time arguing, I’m going out to look for your kids—kids, by the way, that you’ve been ignoring for the last two days.” She glared at Lily. “Parker was my sister, you know. She wasn’t anything to you, she didn’t even like you.” With that, Taylor marched out of the dining room.

A glance at Lily made it clear that Taylor had scored a hit with her parting shot. She had turned pale and was hanging on to the back of a chair for support.

Lucy agreed with Taylor that nothing was to be gained by continuing to argue and started toward the door, intending to join her in searching.

“Hold on!” said Scott in a take-charge voice.

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