12

Dead Man s Curve

Molino Road, Fayetteville, 10:00 a.m.

The curve didn t officially have a name, but some locals had called it Dead Man s Curve for as long as Vera could recall. For good reason. Several people had lost their lives taking this curve too fast.

She felt sick staring down the steep incline that could have taken her sister to her death. Eve s car sat on the edge of the pavement, one wheel dangling over that precipice. She had frozen at first, she said. Then, terrified and gripping the steering wheel, she realized if she didn t let go, crawl over to the passenger-side door, and get the hell out, she would remain in danger. It was a miracle her movements hadn t shifted the car and caused it to tumble fully over the edge.

Even if she hadn t been killed, she could have been gravely injured.

The possible explanations for how this happened pressed harder and harder against Vera s chest. Had someone rammed into Eve s car with the intention of injuring her? Vera swallowed at the rising emotion. Or worse, killing her? But why? The question twisted inside her. She couldn t see this having anything to do with Sheree s remains being found. But who the hell knew?

Did you get a glimpse of the license plate number?

Eve shook her head in response to Bent s question. She had explained that she d come around the curve and then suddenly a vehicle rammed her from behind. Since it was not safe to take that curve at any rate of speed other than a crawl, the sudden lurch forward caused her to cut the steering wheel sharply to the right to avoid going over the left side of the road. When she cut so sharply, her car skidded, and her rear driver s side tire slipped over the edge of the pavement and into the air. This left the back end of the vehicle perched partially on the rear axle and slanted toward that drop-off.

Her car now sat diagonally blocking the narrow road. Bent had called a wrecker as they left the house, and thankfully, it had arrived. Now that he had assessed the situation from an official perspective, including taking photos with his phone, the wrecker driver was attempting to move Eve s car. The only damage appeared to be at the rear bumper, where she d been struck by the other vehicle. There could be damage beneath, since the wheel left the road and caused the frame, axle, or whatever to hit the pavement.

The only thing that mattered to Vera at the moment was that her sister was okay. Still, she understood the necessity of determining how this had happened and who was responsible. If it was intentional . . . she didn t even want to go there. Bent, on the other hand, had to go there. He needed every detail Eve could recall.

Then it was a truck, Bent said, above the grind of the wrecker s progress.

Eve shrugged. Maybe. Like I said, I really didn t see anything other than the headlight area, and then I was busy trying not to run off the road.

More details may come to you later, Vera offered in hopes of calming her sister.

If a vehicle was right on your tail, Bent pressed, and the headlights were visible in your rear window, then the vehicle sat higher than yours. Had to be an SUV or a truck.

All I know, Eve insisted, sounding exhausted and exasperated, is that I felt an impact, and then I was struggling to control my car. When I got out, the other vehicle was gone, and for a moment, I collapsed into a heap on the pavement. She shivered. I was just glad not to be down there. She nodded toward the rocky drop-off.

Vera s heart lurched all over again. This had been entirely too close.

Bent surveyed the road. Which tells me, he went on, oblivious to Eve s emotional state, the driver backed up, turned around, and went in the direction from which he d come.

Another shrug from Eve. Guess so.

Vera set her own emotions aside. Bent was right: there was no way the other vehicle could have gotten around Eve s car. Vera scanned the short distance between where Eve s car sat and the curve. The only option would have been to back up beyond the curve and then to turn around on the other side. The move would have been risky considering another vehicle could have happened along.

There s paint transfer. Bent gestured to the damaged rear end of Eve s car. A dark green, I think. That could help us identify the vehicle that did this. He surveyed the road once more. Once you turned onto Molino from Coldwater Creek, you didn t notice anyone in your rearview mirror?

I wish I had, but I was thinking about all this other stuff. Eve exhaled a big breath. I should have paid better attention.

Vera moved closer, draped an arm around her, and gave her a hug. You re okay. That s what matters.

You might not want to hug me, Eve said, drawing back. I had a spill with my pickup. That s why I was coming from Ardmore. We had to borrow one of the chemicals we ran out of. Evidently the lid wasn t closed properly when I picked it up, and I got some on my clothes. I was headed home to change before going back to the funeral home.

The fact that her sister was a mortician made Vera wince and step back. Good point. We should get you home.

The wrecker driver shouted to Bent that he was ready to go, and Bent waved him on.

The three of them headed for Bent s truck. At the passenger-side door, Eve hesitated. I doubt Bent wants me in the middle next to him.

Vera didn t see any stains on her sister s clothes, but there was a definite odor about her that she hadn t noticed at first. She d been too grateful she was uninjured. Rather than argue about who would sit next to Bent, Vera climbed in. Why couldn t he have one of those trucks with a back seat? She supposed she should be glad the truck had a bench seat.

When Eve climbed in next, Vera had no choice but to ease closer to where he would sit. When he slid behind the wheel, he kept his attention straight ahead, which made the situation a bit more tolerable. The drive to Good Hollow Road took only a few minutes. No one spoke during that time. Vera was thankful. She was confident the sound of his voice would have made the ride even more cramped and uncomfortable.

However hard she tried to suppress the images, flashes of her sister going over that precipice kept haunting her.

Thank God she s okay.

Eve had suffered more than anyone with the intrusion of Sheree into their lives. Vera hated, hated that her sister had to go through any of this.

Once Bent had parked in front of their house, Eve clambered out. Vera scooted out behind her. I can give you a ride back to work when you re ready. She had planned to go to the scene in hopes of getting a look inside the cave. She glanced at Bent. If he was in a charitable mood, he might allow her inside at this point.

I appreciate the offer, Eve said, but I have to take a quick shower. I called Suri while I was waiting for you. She ll come pick me up in half an hour. We re having lunch and then we ll both be heading back to work. Eve flashed a smile for the driver. Thanks, Bent.

Any time. He returned her smile, but it wasn t one of his killer grins.

Vera regretted immensely that she even noticed the difference. Eve wiggled her fingers at Vera before hurrying into the house. She was glad her sister had a friend like Suri. The two were close. Maybe closer than friends, but Eve hadn t said as much, and Vera wasn t asking. It was none of her business. Eve had always been secretive about her relationships. Some folks just didn t want everyone knowing their business.

Vera turned to Bent. Like Eve said, thanks. I really appreciate your help.

He studied her for a long, unsettling moment. Make sure she calls me if she remembers anything else.

I will. She nodded.

A beat or two of hesitation and then, You should all be watchful right now . . . just in case.

There was a chance, they both recognized, that Eve s accident was no accident at all.

He glanced toward his truck. I should get back to that cave.

Anticipation fired in Vera s chest. Actually, she ventured, I was hoping to get a closer look. Have your forensic personnel gotten to the point where I could possibly view the scene?

If the remains had been removed and the area thoroughly searched, with all potential evidence gathered, she didn t see why not. While he considered the request, she didn t dare breathe. Any way she rationalized it, she was asking a lot. Allowing her to be involved in even the smallest way could create problems. She got that. But maybe he would be feeling generous in light of Eve s close call.

I suppose it couldn t hurt at this point. You and Eve have been in there before.

She nodded. When we were kids, yes.

He hitched his head. Let s go then.

They walked to his truck, and when Vera had settled in the seat and fastened her safety belt, he asked, Did you ever go into that cave with your father?

No. She laughed. Daddy would have locked us in the house and never let us out again if he d known we dared to venture into places like that. This was mostly true.

Bent backed up, turned around, and headed up the road. Then you have no idea if he was ever in the cave.

This, she decided, could be a trick question. Certainly it s possible. This farm has been in his family for three generations. I m sure Eve and I were not the first kids to explore that cave, but I m not aware of him ever going in there. He never mentioned a cave on the property. I told you this before.

There was only one reason to ask a question twice-to determine if the person being asked would provide the same answer. Whatever else Bent was thinking, he was suspicious of her and Eve and their father as well. This was to be expected. The remains were those of their father s last wife, and they were found on the family farm. If Bent wasn t at least a little suspicious, his ability to be sheriff would be questionable, to say the least.

He navigated onto the narrow side road that led beyond the barn, bypassing the reporters still loitering in the area and ignoring their shouted questions. Do you recall the last time you were there? At the cave, I mean.

Sorry. I don t. She kept her gaze straight ahead. She didn t trust that Bent wouldn t see the lie on her face or in her eyes. There was a time when he d known her well enough to recognize the slightest nuance of change in how she felt. She doubted he would now, but why take the risk.

Eve may have gone back there without you. He parked well beyond the barn, on the same patch of pasture grass as the other two official vehicles. She was only thirteen or fourteen when you left. She may have done some more exploring before she lost interest or just to get away from the house.

To smoke pot, he didn t say. After all, Eve had been stuck . . . a prisoner of the ongoing nightmare. Maybe it actually was Vera s fault her sister had hit rock bottom. What kind of big sister left her little sister behind to deal with all the fallout?

One like me. Evidently.

Did that make her a bad sister? Maybe. But she couldn t go back and do it differently. There were no do-overs. What was done was done. The only thing she could do at this point was attempt to get the family through this crisis.

She mentally rolled her eyes. Calling this a crisis might be an understatement. It was more like a catastrophe.

You d have to ask Eve about that, Vera said, in case he was expecting a response.

I ll do that. He looked toward the cave then. I ll check in with Conover, our lead forensic investigator, first. As long as he s okay with you coming in, we re good.

Thanks. Vera produced a smile and mentally crossed her fingers.

Sheriff!

Both Vera and Bent looked toward the voice that had called out. A man, early thirties, dark hair-obviously a member of the forensic investigation team, based on the way he was suited up-was striding their way.

Bent got out; Vera did the same. Until she was told otherwise, she intended to see and hear all possible.

Conover, Bent said as he closed his door. What s going on?

Conover glanced across the hood at Vera. We have a development. He seemed to have trouble with whatever should come next. Finally, he said, You need to come into the cave.

Vera s heart started to pound. What now? Her emotions were still frazzled from Eve s accident. Though she didn t know this man, Conover, she recognized his agitation. Whatever had happened, it was big.

Stay here, Bent ordered. I ll be right back. He followed Conover to the cave opening.

Vera watched as the two knelt down and crawled on hands and knees through the opening. It wasn t tall enough to walk through, but once you were inside, it opened up considerably. She recalled vividly the first time she and Eve went into the cave. They d thought for sure there would be pirate booty inside somewhere. But they d never found anything beyond a few arrowheads and an old spoon.

The space wasn t that big, really.

For the next three or four minutes-which felt like hours-Vera considered what this new development might be. The last time she and Eve were here, there had been nothing-at least, nothing readily visible. Certainly nothing to get excited about. She had never stayed long in the cave. She d been a bit claustrophobic when it came to areas that tight, especially ones underground. Still was.

She thought again about someone running Eve off the road. Who would do such a thing? With the incident happening at that curve, it was possible the other driver had no idea who Eve was. He or she may have been on his or her cell phone. That sort of thing happened with automobile accidents all the time. The driver may have feared being sued or arrested and took off.

Just because Sheree s remains had been found here was no cause for anyone to suspect Eve or Vera of wrongdoing.

Unless . . . someone knew . . .

Ice slid through Vera s body. Even if someone knew or suspected, why go to the trouble of revenge now? After all this time? Sheree had no family left around town. No friends, as far as Vera was aware. Who would care enough to take revenge?

It made no sense.

Vee.

She jerked. Startled, but grateful to be dragged away from the troubling thought. What s going on? His face told her there was something . . . something bad. She braced herself for whatever was coming.

One of Conover s men is a caver. He did some poking around and found an opening that appeared to lead into a possible second cavern beyond the main space where we ve been working. He glanced back to the opening of the cave she and Eve had played in dozens of times as kids. He assumed it would be a short, narrow dead end, but he was wrong. It led into a slightly larger space. He lifted his hat and ran a hand through his long hair, then fixed his gaze firmly on Vera s. Vee, they found two more sets of human remains there. From what Conover can determine, they ve been there longer than Sheree . . . a few years maybe.

No. That couldn t be right. This place was on their farm. No one ever came back here. It was private property.

It was Eve and Vera s secret place.

Except if those kids had found the cave . . . it was possible someone else had as well.

Obviously. It was the only possible explanation for what Bent was saying.

Because there was only supposed to be one set of human remains in that cave. Just one. Vera was absolutely certain about this because she and Eve were the ones who put that body in the cave twenty-two years ago.

Unless someone in her family had . . . killed before.