Perfect In Death by Garrett Reily

Author:Garrett, Reily [Garrett, Reily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, American Suspense, paranormal suspense, Paranormal Crime Thriller, Murder Investigation
Published: 2023-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Hailey

Stark flashing lights strobed the fields and reflected off the house and barn. One phone call turned the farm into a sea of semi-organized chaos.

In the aftermath of discovery, Lieutenant Colson cast frequent glances between Hailey and Leigh, always with a frown. Maybe because he was new, or maybe he always had a stick up his ass, but the tightness of his jaw promised future upbraiding for at least one of them.

Trenton sat Hailey in his car after ascertaining she wasn’t injured. Waiting would’ve felt demeaning if exhaustion hadn’t shut her down. Leaning her head against the window, she couldn’t close her eyes without experiencing flashbacks of Bernadette’s slack mouth, flies, and the need to vomit. Either memory or imagination served up details of insects feasting on flesh.

Gunther sat on the back seat and watched the commotion from his open window. Frequent nudges against her neck detailed his concern.

A tap on the glass snapped her eyes open and sent her heart racing. Swiveling in place, she noted Trenton’s half-grin before regret overtook his expression.

“Hey, we good to go?” Hailey stepped out when he opened the door, followed by Gunther who hopped over the seat.

A bottle of water thrust in her hand accompanied his nod down the road. “Take a walk with me.”

This doesn’t bode well.

“Is Lieutenant asswipe—”

“We’re fine. C’mon.”

He’d pulled this maneuver once before when imparting bad news to save her from the humiliation of breaking down in front of others. As a kid, she’d fallen off her bike. He’d helped her up, taken her to the house, and cleaned her cuts.

His jaw remained tight, as if he couldn’t loosen it or find the right words.

“Hailey…” He handed her a small chocolate bar and waited until she took a bite. “It’ll help combat low sugar.”

“Spit it out. I’m not a child with a boo-boo.”

Slight irritation flashed across his face, caught by a strobe of blue light. Just as quickly, guilt, pain, or some other misplaced emotion took its place.

“The body you found—”

“Was Bernadette. Right? I’m not going crazy.”

“You’re right, but that’s not all. There was another body underneath.”

“What? Who? I didn’t look.” Hailey dropped her candy bar. No surprise she’d missed anything else present.

Trenton retrieved the snack and stuffed the remains in her backpack. “Since it’s been there a while, we’ll need forensic confirmation.”

Acid roared up her throat for the second time that night. Lightheadedness threatened her ability to stand until Trenton slid his arm around her shoulders and urged her to continue walking.

“It’s my dad. Isn’t it?” She couldn’t bear to look in her friend’s eyes and see pity. Bending over to give Gunther a hug, she tunneled her fingers in his long hair and rubbed her cheek against his head.

“We think so. His driver’s license, credit cards, and insurance card were in the wallet.”

“All this time. He never ran away. He was murdered and stuffed in a root cellar.”

Gunther chuffed and nudged her leg when she straightened.

“Was he… dismembered too?”

“Appears so.” Trenton turned her to face him just as her legs started to buckle.

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