“It was anaccident,”Shanescreamed.
Frank nodded vigorously. “No, of course. Yes. Anaccident.”
Shane panted for a moment, then swallowed audibly. “But it was okay, Frank. It was okay, because you know what I figuredout?”
Frank shook hishead.
“It was better this way,” Shane whispered. “This way, she would always be mine andno oneelse’s.”
It was such a warped version of what I’d thought about Adrian just a couple of months ago that I once again fought the need tovomit.
“I made a place for her,” Shane said. “In the woods. The placeyoufound.”
He swung the gun toward me and I cowered. Idid.
“It was beautiful, Shane,” I said. “A beautiful tribute. With the chimes.” And the invasive, poisonousweeds.
“Molly loved chimes,” Shane said, his mouth quirking in a smile. “I buy some for her everybirthday.”
A shrine to lost love. Fuck. Silas had been right, but neither of us had understood just how far Shane hadgone.
“That’s nice,” Frankoffered.
Shane swung in his direction again. “Itwouldhave been nice,Frank.Untilyougave up theland!”
“I didn’t give it up,” Frank protested. “Honestly! I fought and fought, Shane, you knowthat!”
“Andnow?”
Frank wassilent.
Shane nodded. “You’ve just decided to let them have Molly’s place.” He stepped away. “This is theproblem,” he said. “Things need to notchange. We need to keep them the way they were. I need to put thingsright.”
“W-what does that mean?” Frankasked.
Jesus, God, Frank. Shutup!
“That means I have to take you to the falls, just like I did with John Carpenter,” Shane said sadly. His lips twisted. “I wish I didn’t have to, Frank, but you’reresponsibleforthis.”
“I… But I… But Myrna!” Frank babbled, neartears.
Shane shook his head, and something nearby buzzed. He frowned and dug his phone out of hispocket.
“Shit,” he said. “Shit.” He looked at Frank. “They know you’re missing! They’re sending out a party to look foryou.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. Of course Shane was on the list of people they’d call when they needed a search party. Shane knew everyone. Everyone thought they knewhim.
“We’ve gotta go,” Shane said. “Standup.”
I knew I wasn’t supposed to go with him. He was taking us to the place where he planned to kill us, after all. But what the hell was I supposed to do? Would it be better to just have him shoot mehere?
“I can’t,” I reminded him. “I’m tieddown.”
“Ah, shit,” he said. “Frank, untieEv.”
“My head,” Frank complained. “I can’thardly…”
“It’ll be worse than your head when I kill you right here,” Shane countered. “Doit!”
