Page 52 of Resolutions

“Oh, my dear girl, of course I believe you.” She rushes over and pulls me against her. The thought of someone believing me is too much. I'm overcome with emotion. “Melanie, how could I not believe you? I just wish...” She strokes my hair as I sob. “I wish I would have found you sooner. I understand why you couldn't. Melanie, you saved us, all of us. Your mother and aunt, our family. YOU SAVED US!”

“But,” I choke out. “I didn't save those two women.”

“Honey, you couldn't have. You had no idea what Michael was up to. How could you? It's not your fault! None of this is your fault!”

I cry for so long I can't help it. I feel like a house of cards tumbling down. When I finally raise my head, she cups my face. “Listen to me. You're not alone anymore. We'll figure this out together. I've known Michael was dangerous for years. I just never knew how much. But now we'll, you and I, we're going to stop him.”

“But how?”

“You have me now. And I have... resources.” Her eyes gleam with determination. “How about we order some lunch and start making plans?”

For the first time since all of this started, I feel like maybe, just maybe, I can allow myself to have some real hope.

Chapter 26

Melanie

Over an elaborate spread of delivered Italian takeout, which I'm sure she ordered so I would have excessive leftovers, we continue dissecting everything I've learned about Michael, and the extreme precautions I've taken to avoid him. Each detail seems to horrify Evelyn more.

“Melanie,” she says finally, pushing her barely touched pasta aside, “there's still something I don't understand. Why risk everything by going to the New Year's Eve party? After all your careful planning, all your precautions - that move seems completely opposite to what you've been trying to do.”

I stare down at my hands, twisting my napkin. “The truth? I wanted to see Cameron. I'd been toying with the decision to leave Whispering Pines entirely. Start fresh somewhere else until I could gather enough evidence against Michael. But...” My voice catches. “I needed to see Cameron. Just to know he wasokay. I thought I could hide in a corner, get one glimpse, then slip away.”

“But that's not what happened.”

“No. I was afraid standing alone in a corner would draw attention. So, I ordered a drink to blend in.” A bitter laugh escapes me. “If either of us had been just a few minutes earlier or later at that bar... but when I saw him start searching the crowd and saw the bartender point my way, I knew he'd ordered our drink and made the connection. Next thing I knew, he was coming toward me and I knew where Cameron was Michael would be. So, I ran.”

“Into the maintenance hallway.”

“How did you know?”

“The video surveillance. Cameron has it all. He went straight to his office afterward and watched you on the security footage.”

“The cameras. God, I never even thought about them.” My chest tightens. “He must be so confused.” I close my eyes. “I bet he hates me.”

“Angry is more accurate. Confused and angry.” She studies my face. “Do you still love him?”

“I've never stopped. He was my partner, my best friend, my everything. The whole family is. But, I don't know, maybe I should just disappear.” I gesture at the damning evidence spread across the table. “When he learns the truth, he's going to be so hurt.”

Evelyn's fist slams the table so hard our coffee cups rattle. I jump, startled by her vehemence.

“Like hell you will! Damn it, I absolutely forbid it!”

“You swore,” I whisper, shocked.

“Well, I know how. Do you expect me to just allow you to walk out of here? Never see you again? Now that I know all of this, how can you even suggest leaving?” Her eyes blaze with determination. “Do you want more women to be hurt? We knowof two, only two. I highly doubt Michael stopped at two. How many more are there that we don't know of? How many before you? YOU will NOT let Michael win. WE will NOT let him win. He must be exposed!! And when it's over, we'll sit Cameron down and explain all of it. He'll understand, we'll make him.”

“But how can I prove any of it? Who would believe me?”

“I believe you. And the truth is on our side.”

I manage a weak smile at her unwavering faith in justice.

“I don't know how to fight him,” my head drops in defeat.

“They didn't either.” She holds up the pictures of the missing women. “The thing is, they weren't given a chance to fight. Both scenes have evidence of struggles. These women were forcibly taken.”

Immediately my mind zooms me back to the hallway at the Inn. Mr. Daggers and I had just emerged from the hidden passage. I'd asked him to let me go. The sinister way he looked at me when he said, “If I were in charge, I'd do worse. Be glad it's not me.” I wrap my arms around myself.

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