“Is that true?” He desperately wanted it to be, but he didn’t trust his own judgment right now. “Because Robin and Ms. Montague knew about them. And I assume the Vanderwalls did as well.”
All the color drained from Lawson’s face. “What?”
“Gloria’s treasure, damn it! We know Montague and Robin looked for it! We know what they found—it was on the tape.”
“Tape?” Lawson rocked slightly back on her feet. Then she met his gaze, and he read true fear in her eyes.
The fear of what she might learn.
But she was still the woman he respected. “Show me.”
CHAPTER
FORTY-SEVEN
Oscar and Nigel stood to either side while Dr. Lawson viewed both the original tape and the footage Chris had shot that very day. By the time they were done, her skin color matched the foam on the waves outside. If Oscar had any doubts she knew about the mass grave, they were gone.
She sat very still for a long moment when they were done. They’d broken down as much equipment as possible, leaving out Tina’s laptop only because Nigel wanted to give Lawson the chance to view the footage before they evacuated. And the TV and VCR, for the same reason.
“I’m…I’m sorry.” Nigel awkwardly patted Dr. Lawson’s shoulder. “This has to come as a shock.”
Her throat worked as she swallowed. Then, as if prompted by his attempt to comfort her, she straightened her shoulders. “I knew better. God damn me, I knew better.”
Oscar wished there was something he could do. “You can’t blame yourself.”
“Fuck that, Fox.” She glared at him. “I warned Taylor—warned all of you!—against her. But seeing her again at the asylum…” She shook her head. “She’s played me like a fiddle. But no more.”
Dr. Lawson stood up. Oscar exchanged a worried glance with Nigel. They needed to get the hell off the island as soon as possible.
“Maybe we should wait,” he started, but Lawson held a hand out to him.
“This is my fight, Fox.”
“I understand, but the storm?—”
“Oh, there’s a storm coming, all right.”
She stomped out, and they followed. Chris and Tina were on the porch and looked up as they passed. “Is every?—”
“Nope,” Oscar said, and beckoned them after.
Dr. Lawson hurled open the trailer door so hard it impacted the wall. “There you are,” Montague said. “It’s about time?—”
“How dare you?” Lawson yelled at the top of her lungs.
Montague froze. Ethan, at her side as always, stiffened and glanced at his employer, as if seeking guidance.
“I’m not sure what Dr. Taylor told you,” Montague began.
“I’ve seen the tape with you and Robin.” Lawson advanced on her, fists clenched at her sides. “And a video taken just today. The Pack were hunting people for sport and eating them! And you knew.”
Of course. The mounted trophies, the paintings of blood and violence. The very name of their little gang of seven. When you were rich enough to travel around the world massacring any animal you wished, why not turn that wanton destruction on humans, too?
Montague’s expression darkened. She folded her hands carefully atop her silver-headed cane and took a deep breath. “I knew you’d react this way. I convinced Robin not to tell you for this very reason.”
Lawson was practically vibrating. “Why. Just tell me. Why?”
“Why do you think?” Montague met her eyes frankly. “Because we couldn’t trust you.”
