Page 89 of The House Beyond the Dunes

“I don’t know. He had friends up here who might have been willing to help. All the guys that grew up together were super tight. Stands to reason Jeb would take the blame to save a buddy.”

Or one of his brothers.

“He gets out of prison and dies almost immediately,” I say. “No one will ever know if there was someone else.”

She traces the rim of her flute with her finger. “Probably for the best. What’s past is past. And Jeb’s life wasn’t going anywhere, and he knew it.”

“Did Kyle reach out to him while he was in prison?”

“No. He had a life that was taking off. He didn’t need that kind of drama.”

“What about after Jeb’s release? Did they connect?”

“I don’t know.”

According to Stevie, Kyle had been drinking in Joey’s Bar around the time of Jeb’s death. And then Nikki had vanished.

“Kyle wasn’t anything like Jeb?” I ask.

“Kyle was smarter. More ambitious.”

“But he would never act out like Jeb, right?”

Devon laughs. “No. Why would you say that?”

“I don’t know. Champagne makes me stupid.” The more layers of Kyle’s life I peel back, the more unsavory the findings.

“Can I be honest with you?” Devon asks. “I mean, I can be nosy, so tell me to butt out if you don’t want to answer.”

I suspect she’ll ask no matter what I say. “Sure, tell me what you’re thinking.”

“When Kyle found you, it was like a missing piece fell into place. The last time I talked to him was Friday morning. He was packing at his apartment and getting ready to pick you up. He sounded so happy. He couldn’t wait to show you this place and share his world with you.”

Would he have mentioned the house in the woods, his shaky finances, or the brother who’d done time for rape? “I’m not so sure.”

“He might have been complicated, but his feelings for you were simple.” She cocks a brow. “Did you love him?”

I clear my throat of unnamed emotions tightening it. “I cared for him. I thought it could grow into love.”

Devon’s gaze spears me. “Are you doing okay, Lane?”

“I’m hanging in there.”

“As terrible as dying is, sometimes dying is better than living with a tragedy. Jeb knew that.”

“I’m sad, but I’ll find a way to live with this.” I’ve no desire to talk about living or dying. “I walked up toward the woods today. I wanted to see where Kyle grew up.”

Devon frowns. “I told you it wasn’t safe.”

I know the streets of Norfolk can be dangerous. I’m always looking around corners and into shadows. But up here, it feels so far removed from danger. “You mean Earl?”

Devon sips her champagne. “You met him?”

“Briefly.”

Her gaze turns serious. “Stay clear of him. He might seem nice, but he’s not going to be nice if he gets you alone. Avoid him. He used to run with Jeb and Zeke.”

“What was Zeke like?”

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