What Happened at the Lake by Phil M. Williams

Author:Phil M. Williams [Williams, Phil M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Phil W. Books
Published: 2018-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 33

Alex and Chaos

Alex and Matt chased after Seth. They stood on the covered front porch as Seth started his lifted Jeep.

Alex waved his arms at Seth but was ignored.

Seth turned the Jeep around so he faced the steep rain-soaked driveway. The water cut minirivers in the gravel driveway, exposing the orange clay underneath. Seth paused at the base of the driveway, no doubt considering the slippery ascent, his getaway, and his philandering fiancée. Yet his Jeep was made for these conditions. With four-wheel drive, a wide base, large knobby tires, and a snorkel snaking upward from the exhaust pipe, the vehicle could handle the mud and the flood.

Seth gunned the engine, the lifted Jeep spitting gravel and digging muddy ruts all the way up the driveway. The only four-by-four vehicle was gone in a cuckolded fit of anger.

“He just fucked up the driveway,” Matt said, shaking his head. “I don’t know if we can get a car up that hill now.”

Alex ran his hand over his face. “We gotta find her—now.”

They returned to the kitchen. Emma was already in her raincoat, raring to go.

“We need flashlights,” Matt said.

Emma, Matt, and Alex searched drawers, rooms, and vehicles for flashlights. They placed the five flashlights upright on the kitchen table. Gwen entered the kitchen, wearing her raincoat. Cathy was right behind her in shorts and a T-shirt.

“Brett’s locked up in our old room,” Gwen said. “Jeff and Harvey are keeping watch.”

Alex nodded. “Where’s Rachel?”

“She’s locked in her room. I asked her if she was going to help.” Gwen winced. “But she didn’t answer me.”

“What’s the plan?” Matt asked Alex.

“You and I will search on the lake with the pontoon,” Alex said. “Emma, you and Gwen can take my truck through the neighborhood and talk to the neighbors.”

Emma nodded, her face blotchy.

“Maybe she’s at one of the neighbors’ houses, like Cathy said.”

“What do you need me to do?” Cathy asked.

“Do you have rain gear?”

“No, but I can wear a trash bag.”

“Can you stay here and wait for Kristin, and answer the phone whenever it rings?” Alex asked.

Cathy nodded. “I’ll do that.”

“Let’s get going. The longer we wait …”

Nobody wanted Alex to finish that sentence.

“You should probably drive your truck up the driveway for Emma and Gwen,” Matt said. “You know that vehicle better than anyone.”

“You’re right,” Alex replied.

Alex, Matt, Emma, and Gwen climbed into the rain-beaten pickup. Water gushed down the ruts created by Seth’s Jeep. Matt and Gwen sat on the bench seat of the extended cab.

“What happened to the driveway?” Emma asked from the front passenger seat.

“Seth did that when he left,” Matt replied.

Alex turned around his Ford F-150. He glanced at Emma, then punched the accelerator. The truck fishtailed and lurched forward. The rear-wheel-drive vehicle stalled halfway up the hill, the rear wheels spitting mud on the rear quarter panels. Alex took his foot off the accelerator and put his foot on the brake. He rode the brake as he guided the truck backward down the hill.

“I’m gonna try again,” Alex said.

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