Page 51 of The Lake of Lost Girls

“Goddamn it, say something!” he yelled suddenly. He grabbed my arms again and squeezed like he wanted to shake some sense into me.

I pulled out of his grip and took a step back, shock finally pushing me into action. “Don’teveryell at me.”

Ryan was instantly remorseful. “I’m sorry, Lindsey—”

“You said you had information. Information so important you had to rush over here—” I stopped, my face hardening, though I already knew the answer to the question before it even left my mouth. “How did you even know where I live?”

The question took Ryan aback. “Oh, I looked you up—”

“You looked me up. Like you did when we met? What else do you know about me?” I pressed.

If I pushed hard enough, would he admit what I already knew? Could I make him tell me the truth? Hehadbeen dating Jess, so it made sense that he’d know where I lived–whereJesshad lived.

“I, uh … nothing, it wasn’t like that. I knew where you lived because—” He hesitated.

Was this it?

Was he going to reveal himself to be the lying bastard I already knew him to be?

Then the smile came back. The familiar easy one that made my insides quiver even as my stomach twisted into complicated knots. “I’m a journalist, remember? It’s my job to know stuff.”

I felt a crushing sense of disappointment. Deep down, I had hoped I was wrong about him. That maybe I got something wrong. But he wasn’t going to admit anything.

I would have to bide my time to let it all out.

“You have two minutes and that’s it.”

He seemed frustrated. He looked tired and on edge. I wondered if it was hard for him to keep track of his lies.

“Can we sit?” he asked, indicating the steps.

I shook my head. “I’m fine standing. Just tell me what you came here to say.”

He appeared dejected, but also annoyed. “Fine, I wanted you to know that I’m going to speak to Sergeant Liam O’Neil.”

“Sergeant O’Neil? He worked on Jess’s case,” I said in confused surprise. Ryan nodded.

“He was the lead detective. I’ve talked to him a few times over the years. He’s always danced around my questions. But last night after you left, after learning about Tammy, I called him again. I asked if I could finally see him in person and get him on the record.” And there it was—his infectious enthusiasm that made it hard to remember the awful things I knew about him. “I want you to come with me, Lindsey. This is a real chance to dig into the case with someone who was there. Someone who knows the ins and outs of Jess’s disappearance.”

“But what could Sergeant O’Neil possibly say that would be of any use? Everyone knows the police screwed up the investigation back then,” I argued, not willing myself to get excited … yet.

“I get that. But I think he has some real information. I’m not sure what’s changed for him, but after all this time, he’s finally letting me look at the old case files. Apparently, hemade copies of everything when he retired, even though he obviously shouldn’t have.” Ryan was practically vibrating with anticipation.

“Okay, well, that’s definitely good news.” A thrilled jolt ran through me.

“I know, that’s why I was trying to get ahold of you. So, what do you say? Will you come with me? I’m heading over there right now.”

Ryan reached toward me as if to touch my face. It took me a second too long to evade him, his fingers brushing my skin before I pulled away.

What was wrong with me? Was I so pathetic that I craved the attention of a man I knew to be a liar? A man that had loved my missing sister? A man that was most likely using me?

“Will he even speak to you while I’m there?” I asked.

“Oh, I’m counting on you to be the one to make him spill everything.” Ryan looked almost manic.

“Because I’m Jess’s sister,” I said, “and you think he’ll feel guilty if I’m there and tell you what he knows.” It wasn’t a question. It was a fact, and one that Ryan readily agreed with.

“It sounded like he was more than ready to talk anyway, but what better way to ensure it happens than with you there. Jess’s younger sister, still looking for answers all these years later.”

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