Page 81 of Firefly Effect

Lilith comes up beside us and places a hand on Lucy’s back. “You heard your daddy. He’ll take you another time, sweetheart.”

I give Lilith a grateful smile, but it doesn’t help with Lucy’s obvious sadness over the whole ordeal. She pouts even harder, folds her arms, and stomps away from all of us.

Sighing, I thank Lilith and wave to everyone else before jetting out the door.

Given this town’s history with Deep Creek Campground and firefly walks, allowing Lucy to join in the festivities and even get tempted to join in the nighttime activities is a definite no. I can’t help but question the daycare’s judgment with continuing to plan for this field trip. Then again, I’ve come to realize that while the people of Bryson City are not desensitized to the fact that the Firefly Man has murdered here, they seem to make a concerted effort to not let it impact their lives and choices. Just because the Firefly Man never returns to the same place to kill, doesn’t mean he won’t.

I shiver thinking about the day Evie and I went tubing by the campground and Evie completely froze. Just seeing the way she reacted to the memories of finding Carley continues to haunt me. If I could have told her who I was then, I would have. Sooner than that, even. She deserves to know. She deserves to find peace after all this time.

To avoid any further conversation about Lucy’s field trip, I crumple up the permission slip and shove it into my pocket as I make my way out of the building. I don’t even want to talk to Francine about it. If she doesn’t see the permission slip, then she won’t ask.

Francine doesn’t know about Carley or my ties to that fateful night. No one in my life does, and that was always the plan. I was sworn to secrecy—something I didn’t hesitate promising in hopes of finally catching my sister’s killer.

“Lincoln,” Lilith calls after opening the door to the building behind me. “Willow was asking for a playdate with Lucy this weekend. I know you’re against the field trip, and that’s completely fine, but what if I brought Lucy to our house after daycare on Friday? Then maybe she won’t feel so terrible about missing the field trip with her friends. I’ll make the girls my famous spaghetti.” She gestures to me, as if in afterthought. “And you’re welcome to come too.”

Her suggestive eyes are blatant, and I try not to let my annoyance show. “Aren’t you going on the firefly walk after the field trip?”

She shrugs. “We don’t have to.”

Then I frown, figuring I might as well ask the question that’s been on my mind. “Why Deep Creek Campground? You could take the kids anywhere. Why that awful place?”

Lilith crosses her arms, her expression telling me she’s considering my concern. “Deep Creek Campground itself isn’t an awful place, Lincoln. If these kids grow up in fear because of something that happened fourteen years ago, then we are doing them a disservice. Why not teach them how to feel comfortable with nature and defend themselves rather than avoid something that will never happen to them.”

“You don’t know that,” I snap. She flinches like I’ve just slapped her, causing guilt to swarm my chest. “I’m sorry, Lilith.”

She shakes her head, her hand landing on my arm. “Don’t be. I completely understand your concern, but I hate that you think I’m making a reckless choice with these kids. Their safety is my number one concern. Most of the parents will be there, so we’ll have one chaperone for every two kids, at the very least. Besides. The Firefly Man has never killed in the same place before. I would think Deep Creek Campground is the safest place of all.”

I want to chuckle at her logic, but there are too many other emotions swarming my chest. “Alright, well I appreciate you inviting Lucy over after daycare, but we already have plans.” I pinch out a smile. “Sorry to cut this short, I really need to get back to the office.”

I ignore her disappointed stare as I leave. Lilith is the least of my concerns right now.

As soon as I cross the parking lot, I take longer, faster strides. The distance between Lucy’s school and my office is only six blocks, but I’m wishing I had brought my car now that I’m in a hurry. I pick up my pace to a light jog.

Doreen greets me at Calm Waters with a warm smile. “How was your daughter’s event?”

I return her smile. “Oh, you know. All the kids fought over the chocolate-frosted donuts with sprinkles. Same old, same old.”

She chuckles. “I’m sure the kids just loved getting a celebration for no reason.”

“That is correct.” I point to my office. “Evie in there?”

Doreen nods. “Waiting patiently.”

A sigh of relief whooshes through me. “Great. Thank you, Doreen.” Then I stop and stick my hand in my pocket, fishing around for my wallet, then I hand it to her. “Why don’t you head next door for some coffee on me?” I wink. “For being so great.”

Doreen’s eyes widen, and she takes my wallet from my hands. “Thank you, Doctor. That’s so sweet of you. Can I get you anything?”

I pat my belly. “Just ate. Thank you.”

I wait for Doreen to leave and then walk the rest of the way to my office. At least now Evie and I will have complete privacy. Grinning, I open the door, my eyes aimed at my desk where I already fantasized she would be sitting.

And that’s exactly where she is. What I’m not expecting is to find her with tears streaming down her face, my desk covered with my personal notebooks and the hard case filled with documentation of the Firefly Man killings.

Her accusing stare bores into mine. “What is this, Lincoln?” Her eyes narrow into a glare. “Or should I call you Foster?”

Fuck fuck fuck.

I rush forward, eyes wide as fear fills every pore in my body. “Evie, that’s not…” I stop myself before I can lie to her. It’s probably exactly what she thinks it is. So instead, I say the only thing I can think of. “I can explain.”

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