The Suicide Forest (The River Book 5) by Michael Richan Read Free Book Online Page B

what
to do, but I don’t have a clue.”
    “No, you don’t,” Evie said, “if you think they can do
anything to help.”
    “I’ve consulted an expert,” Roy said, “and with her assistance
I think we can get to the bottom of it. But the next step is you.”
    “Me?” Evie asked. “I’m not involved.”
    “Yes, you are,” Roy said. “Whatever is going on here, I
believe you know the answers.”
    “Well, you’re wrong,” she said. “Why do you think I have
anything to do with it?”
    “My father conducted a trance,” Steven said. “It indicated
you.”
    Evie turned to her mother. “I told you to never let that kind
of thing happen around me!” she yelled at her. “How dare you! You don’t know
what you’re stirring up, mother. You’re bringing this all upon yourself!”
    “What are you talking about, Evie?” June asked. “They’re just
trying to help.”
    “They’re doing the opposite!” Evie yelled. “Get out!” she
said to Steven and Roy. “Leave, and don’t come back!”
    “The house is safe while we’re here,” Steven said. “Your
mother has a token.”
    Edie turned to look at her mother, observing her tightly
pressed palms.
    “Take it with you when you leave,” she said, and grabbed the
lunch box, the briefcase, and a tumbler of coffee, and marched out the kitchen
door, slamming it as she left.
    Steven and Roy turned to June.
    “Follow her,” June said.
    They walked to the door and opened it. A few feet away, Evie
was placing the items into her car. She heard the door open and turned to look
at them as they approached her.
    “Really?” she said. “What do I have to do, call the cops?”
    “I guess the cops could inspect the cuts and bruises on your
mother’s face,” Roy said.
    “What do you want?” she said.
    “We told you,” Roy said, “we’re trying to help figure out
what’s in the house.”
    “Then do it and leave me out of it,” she said, getting into
the car. Roy stepped over to her car door and stopped it from closing.
    “What, you’re not going to let me leave?” she said.
    “Your son is in danger,” Roy said. “You need to stop for a
moment and talk with us. There’s something you know you’re not sharing.”
    “You have no clue what you’re getting into,” Evie said. “The
best thing you can do is leave and not come back. If you know what’s good for
you, you’ll just move on and pretend you never met any of us.”
    “Sounds like we’re on the right track,” Roy said.
    “You’ll regret those words,” Evie said, reaching for the car
door handle. “Now get the fuck away from my car.”
    Roy stepped away from the car door, and Evie slammed the door
shut. She roared the car to life and pulled out of the driveway.
    “Well, that didn’t go very well,” Steven said, watching her
drive off.
    “She’s always been strong-willed,” June said. “She’s wrong
about needing your help, you know. I’m so sorry she spoke to you that way.
Please don’t abandon me. We do need your help, regardless of what she says.”
    “Don’t worry,” Roy said, the confrontation with Evie
strengthening his resolve. “We’re not going anywhere.”
    “Perhaps we can collect the lantern and be on our way?”
Steven said.
    “Oh, yes,” June said, turning to go back into the house.
“I’ll get it for you.”
    Steven and Roy walked with her back inside the house, and
waited in the living room as June retrieved the lantern. She reappeared a
moment later, a thin piece of metal in her fingers. She handed it to Steven.
    “What’s this?” Steven asked. The lantern was squashed flat,
the handle broken.
    “I’m sorry,” June said, “but that’s how I found it.”

Chapter Four
     
     
     
    Rather than take the Dixon ferry to Gig Harbor, Steven
decided to drive around from Seattle. They parked in front of Judith Duke’s
mansion above the marina and walked to the door, where the maid once again let
them in and asked them to wait. They were soon