Murder Among Friends by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek)

Author:Michele PW (Pariza Wacek) [PW (Pariza Wacek), Michele]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Published: 2022-08-17T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“At least,” Wyle said, speaking into the frozen silence, “we found a body that resembles her. We’ll need one of you to come down to the station to identify her.”

A small, strangled cry escaped from Naomi’s throat. “How did she die?”

“We’ll know more once the M.E. examines her,” Wyle said.

Mace leaned forward, propping his head up with his hands as if it had suddenly become too heavy for his neck. “Where did you find her?”

“She was in a dip a few hundred yards from your camp,” Wyle said.

Mace’s face was ashen. “But we searched there. I’m sure of it.”

“You might have,” Wyle said. “I’m not surprised you didn’t find her. Like I said, she was lying kind of in a dip, and she had been covered with leaves. Unless you knew what to look for, she would have been easy to miss.”

More silence, as everyone tried to process what Wyle had said. I quietly placed a mug of hot, sweetened tea in front of each of them. “Please drink this,” I said. “It’ll help with shock.”

“I can’t believe it,” Sloane said, as if she hadn’t even heard me. Her eyes stared straight ahead, but seemingly focused on nothing. “Fire Cottage really did get her.”

“No, that’s not possible,” Raymond said, shaking his head. “There must be some mistake.”

Sloane shifted her head slightly to glance at him. “Why isn’t it possible? It happened to your cousin.”

“My cousin was truly taken,” Raymond said. “To this day, he’s still missing.”

“Fire Cottage affects everyone differently,” Sloane said. “You know that.”

“What I know,” Raymond said, a dangerous note to his tone, “is that Fire Cottage had nothing to do with this.”

“How can you possibly know that?” Sloane asked.

“Because Lynette is still alive,” he said. “I don’t care what they found. It’s the only thing that makes any sense.”

“I know this is difficult,” Wyle said. “And I’m very sorry for your loss. But unfortunately, you’re going to have to come to terms with the fact that she is dead.”

“There must be some mistake,” Raymond insisted.

“She was examined by a medical professional,” Wyle said. “There is no mistake.”

“But you said she needs to be identified,” Raymond argued, sitting up straight. “So, you don’t know for sure.”

Wyle’s expression was full of pity. “The body matches the description. And the picture. The identification is more of a formality at this point.”

“Mistakes happen,” Raymond said, getting to his feet. “I’m sure you’re doing your best, and it’s not your fault. Shall we go?”

Wyle slowly stood up, as well. “I do have to warn you—she’s not in the best condition. She’s been out in the elements for days now, and there are animals …”

Raymond blanched and turned a little green before taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders. “It’s fine. Someone has to do it.”

“Dude,” Mace said, getting to his feet. He moved stiffly, like an old man. “Let me. I was … I was her boyfriend. I should be the one.”

Raymond was already shaking his head. “No. It should be me.

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