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I looked at Dad, hoping he would see some reason in what I was saying. But he sat on the sofa, staring at a bowl of potpourri on the coffee table.
“Every single Everhart on this island would kill any of us, given the chance,” Keith said. “Which makes you a fool for saving one.”
“Yes,” Wendy said through bitter tears. “There would have been one less to worry about tonight if it weren’t for you.”
My blood boiled.
I had left Dusk to get away from this all-consuming feud, and in doing so, I had apparently forgotten just how deep it ran in our family.
It had become both our family history and identity rolled into one. But I refused to believe that it had to be our future as well.
“That’s enough, thank you.” Dad finally spoke up. “Maeve, I’m very proud of you for saving someone’s life.” He ignored another one of Keith’s scoffs. “But putting an end to this war just isn’t an option.”
And just like that, I had no dog in this fight. Not Sandra, not even my dad could support my point of view.
I was too tired for this.
I stood up. “Was there any point to this meeting? Or was it just to roast me about doing the ethical thing?”
“Yes,” Wendy said. “We came here to reestablish our intentions as a family.”
My stomach did a flip. “What intentions?”
“That none of us are to talk to or otherwise engage with Everharts. Even if it’s saving their lives,” Sandra said.
“Especially if it’s saving their lives,” Wendy said.
“You were lucky enough to walk away with your life,” Keith said. “That Everhart would no doubt have killed you, given the chance.”
I made sure I turned my back before I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the reminder.”
As predicted, sleep evaded me all night long, and I hadn’t the energy to leave my room and risk a nap in the pool. Which was just as well, because Mallory called well before breakfast to ask me to come into the station and give a statement.
Kira and Allison were waiting for me when I got there, and again when I walked out of the police station.
“How’d it go?” Allison asked, linking her arm through mine.
“Kinda awkward,” I said. “Considering I told Mallory that the autopsy showed no foul play. But at least she wasn’t angry about it.”
“You literally did her job for her. She has no right to be,” Kira said.
We walked across the car park just in time to see Ben, his mother, and brother getting out of a nearby car.
Our eyes met, and Ben froze. My heart leapt in my chest. I wanted nothing more than to go over and talk to him, but something told me I wouldn’t get within speaking distance before his mother strangled me.
Margaret could just see us looking at each other over the top of the car and she tottered around in her fancy heels to drag Ben away toward the police building. Adrian gave me the evil eye as they walked away.
“Ungrateful, much?” Kira said loudly. “You wouldn’t have thought you’d just saved his life, would you?”
“Funny you should say that, but I’m not hearing the end of it at home,” I said.
Kira glowered. “Okay, girls, it’s time to get a strong-ass coffee.”
We walked five streets to our usual coffee place, passing several others on the way. But we couldn’t think of going anywhere else. We had had our first coffees at the Bean Factory, and most coffees since.
Once we had three frothy mochas in front of us at our usual table right in the back corner, the world felt a bit more right again.
“So.” Allison looked over both shoulders before continuing. “I take it you two haven’t talked, then?”
