Page 40 of Splintered Memories
Lark flinched beside me, and I grabbed her hand and squeezed. She was shaking.
Lark had been the one to tell the world about the monster who kidnapped her and tried to kill her. His son, Xander Cohen, had confessed everything to her. She’d been lucky to survive him.
I all but growled at the former sheriff. “Only because there hadn’t been enough physical evidence left to take you to trial and get a conviction.You used your position as sheriff to help your son get away with murder.”
Alex bristled.
My father hushed me sharply. “Stop, Emersyn.”
My eyes widened on my father. “I can’t believe you’re still talking to him. You know what Xander said to Lark. You know the truth.”
My father opened his mouth, but Alex cut him off. “No, we don’t know that, because my son is dead.” His eyes burned into Lark.
I positioned myself in front of her. “He’s dead because he tried to kill Lark, another defenseless woman.”
Alex’s lip curled. “Don’t speak about my son when he’s not here to defend himself. The Shadow Stalker was responsible for what happened to your sister.” Those dark eyes were sharp as black glass.
“You only made it look like that. You framed the Shadow Stalker for what Xander did, for what your son did,” I snarled.
“Lies,” Alex hissed. “And the way you so easily believe the word of one person and then spread that false information is what’s really concerning here.”
I…saw…red.
16
August
Isteppedbetweenthetwomen and Emersyn before she hurled herself across those tables and tore out their eyeballs.
“I think that’s enough.” I kept my tone light, but firm. “It would probably be best if you both moved on.”
The hair on the back of my neck rose at the proximity of Alex Cohen. He was so close, I could’ve easily punched him in the face. I restrained myself.
Barely.
Tristan stared at me, his jaw clenching. “I only came to see Emersyn’s work,” he said softly, as if he hadn’t expected his daughter to react this way.
I wondered whether he knew her at all.
I glared at Alex. “Then you should’ve probably thought better of whose company you keep.”
We all stared at one another. I felt Emersyn’s searing stare like hot daggers in my back. I was doing them a favor, truly. Her fury was a scorching wave they would not withstand if she got hold of them.
Jake Hawthorn broke the boggy silence. “Come on, Dad.” He put a hand on Tristan’s shoulder, steering him away from his sister. “Let’s go.”
Tristan hesitated, taking one last glance at Emersyn before relenting to his son. “Just as well,” he said, smoothing over invisible wrinkles in his shirt. “The bonfires are going to be lit soon anyway. I was going to offer to help break down your sister’s booth, but she obviously doesn’t need my help.”
Tristan turned to leave, Alex Cohen following.
“I’ve never needed your help,” Emersyn spat.
Tristan paused, his spine stiffening, but he didn’t turn and continued to walk away.
I kept my eyes on them until they were far enough away that I was satisfied they weren’t going to circle back. When I turned around, Emersyn had her arms around Lark, holding her tight.
My jaw clenched at the look in Lark’s eyes. She was strong; there was no doubt about that. She had come such a long way, but she’d been through a lot and was still healing herself in many ways.
“You okay?” I asked Lark.
