Dark Shadows by Kate Allenton

Author:Kate Allenton [Allenton, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Coastal Escape Publishing
Published: 2025-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

17

The Thirsty Cactus remained unchanged. Same neon beer signs, same worn pool tables, same peanut shells crunching under their feet as Mason and Savanah walked in. Only now, instead of fake IDs and nervous giggles, Savanah shared a drink with a man who carried an FBI badge.

“This place looks cozy,” Mason said, scanning the room.

“It's a dump.” Savanah laughed. “But it's our dump. Everyone ends up here eventually.”

As if to prove her point, Wesley Lawrence sat alone at the bar with his nose buried in a book. He barely glanced up as they passed.

“Two beers,” Savanah told the bartender then turned to Mason. “Should we have invited Jacob? He doesn't know anyone in town.”

“He's back at the motel, reviewing old records.” Mason's phone buzzed. “Speaking of...” He checked the message. “He says the historical records from the cemetery show headstone symbols going back to the town's founding family. The first symbol was on the grave of the founding family's daughter, Emmaline Grey.”

“Great, I wonder what she did wrong. Maybe sneezed on the town sheriff?” Savanah let out an agitated sigh.

“He's still digging. Maybe we'll find out more.”

“Does he have updates on Beverly's case?”

“The blood sample from the bowl we expedited confirms it's Beverly's, but there's a partial second profile mixed in. They're looking for a match.”

“What about the barn victims? Did they find anything there?”

“Jacob said the soil analysis from beneath the buried victim came back. They found distinct mineral traces that only occur in the watershed near the old hiking trails. More importantly, pollen samples in the soil date the burial to early spring, exactly when you reported seeing the body as a kid, so it’s possible the body was moved after you saw it and put back later.”

“I'm shocked you got answers so fast.”

“It helps when you know people and call in favors.” Mason grinned.

“It sounds like you've got everything covered. I didn't need to come at all.”

The bartender returned with two beers, and Mason paid.

“Of course we needed you. This is your town, your people. Your dead guy in the barn? You're the most important part of our investigation.”

“Hardly.” Savanah rolled her eyes. “Judging by the symbol the killer leaves, our suspect pool is basically everyone who's ever opened a history book or been to the cemetery.”

They found a table near the back, close enough to watch everyone in the bar but far enough that conversation wouldn't carry. The bar started filling up as the Friday night crowd trickled in.

“So, you and Tina were close?”

“Best friends since elementary school.” Savanah took a long pull from her beer. “Her house was my second home.”

“Did you guys lose touch?”

Before she could answer, Tina herself appeared at their table. She'd changed since seeing her earlier. Now she wore a sundress that made her look more like the girl Savanah remembered.

“This seat taken?” Without waiting for an answer, she sat. “We need to talk.”

Mason started to stand. “I'll give you two some privacy.”

“Stay,” both women said simultaneously then caught each other's eyes and smiled.

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