Chapter 61

CHAPTER 61

I t seemed to take an eternity. My arm muscles were burning from the effort of pulling myself along the rope, but then I was across, just over the riverbank. I unlocked my feet, they swung free, and I dropped down.

I ran toward the cottage along the old railroad trail.

All I could see from the river was Rose, at the top stair, facing toward the cottage, which I couldn't see from down here. What the hell was going on? A snake? But Maggs wouldn't be barking like that over a snake, and she was inside the cottage. Why was she inside and Rose outside?

And then I saw Geoffrey Nice loom over Rose at the top of the stairs.