The Whispering Hollows by Lisa Unger Read Free Book Online Page B

doctor’s appointment that morning Alfie and Emily died, for the crazy visions , because Eloise had forgiven Barney Croft.
    How do you forgive the man who killed your family? What right do you have to forgive him? Amandahad shrieked , when Eloise shared her experience . Dr. Ben said that anger was healthy for Amanda, way better than the depression that comes from turning anger inward. But it certainly wasn’t pleasant—the screaming, the door slamming, the sudden hysterics. Eloise’s nerves were frayed.
    She’ll work through it , Dr. Ben promised. Trust me, you would rather deal with this than the alternatives. Speaking of which—how are you doing?
    â€¢Â Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â Â â€¢
    Detective Muldune knocked on her door at five to midnight. It was a loud, insistent knock that woke both Amanda and her instantly.
    â€œWho is it?” Amanda whispered. She was still sleeping in Eloise’s bed, a habit Eloise had no intention of trying to break right now.
    â€œI have no idea,” she said. As Eloise climbed down the stairs, she saw the flashing lights in her driveway, Detective Muldune standing on her porch with his shield out. Eloise experienced a dump of fear. Oh, G od , she thought. I knew all sorts of things I shouldn’t know. Maybe they think I had something to do with it?
    â€œMrs. Montgomery, can you open the door? Detective Ray Muldune of The Hollows PD.”
    She pulled it open, aware that Amanda, who was creeping down the stairs behind her, had come to sit on the middle step. Was Amanda going to have to witness Eloise being hauled off by the police?
    â€œCan I help you?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” he said. “ Can you?”
    The desperation was coming off of him in waves. She saw that he was alone; there were no other cars, just his empty prowler in the driveway, red lights silently spinning.
    â€œWe can’t find her,” he said. “We have no leads. Her parents are beside themselves. We’ve had people out looking for nearly forty-eight hours. Time is running out.”
    Eloise shook her head. She thought her job was finished; she didn’t know what to say. Was she supposed to help him further?
    â€œTrust me,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here if I had anywhere else to go.”
    â€œLet me get dressed,” she said. He offered a solemn nod and walked off her porch back to his car. She quietly closed the door and turned toward the stairs.
    â€œYou’re going with him?” said Amanda. She wore this particular angry scowl when she looked at her mother now. She hates me , Eloise thought.
    â€œI have to,” said Eloise moving past her.
    â€œYou don’t have to do anything,” she said nastily.
    â€œI think I do,” said Eloise.
    â€œYou’re going to leave me here? It’s the middle of the night.”
    â€œYou can come,” Eloise said.
    â€œThe hell I will,” said her once sweet daughter. Amanda got to her feet and stormed up the stairs past Eloise. She slammed her door so hard that the china in the cabinet downstairs rattled, channeling Emily.
    â€œThis is bullshit ,” her daughter screamed through the closed door. “You. Are. Not. A. Psychic.”
    A psychic? The word conjured women in flowing skirts and headscarves, crystal balls and fortune-telling cards. Is that what she was?
    Eloise got dressed and tried to push open Amanda’s door. It was locked.
    â€œAmanda,” she said. “I know you’re angry. Try to understand, okay?”
    Nothing.
    â€œI didn’t ask for any of this,” she said. She rested her forehead on the door. “I’m just—” What? What was she doing? “I’m just trying to do the right thing.”
    Nothing.
    â€œI love you.”
    Eloise waited.
    â€œI love you, too,” Amanda said after a moment. That was something, at least. She didn’t open the door, though. It had