Page 65 of The Getaway

The moment Gemma set eyes on Lily, she wanted to launch herself across the expanse of hardwood floor that separated them and strangle her. This was all her fault. Her and her stupid stunt, which she’d roped Gemma into participating in, just like she had with all her silly hazing rituals back in college. Ever since she’d first met Lily, the woman had wielded some sort of odd power over her. Whatever Lily wanted to do, they did. Whatever Lily told Gemma to do, she did. Was it because Gemma had been so lonely growing up? An only-child thing? Had she craved a big sister so badly that she let Lily step into the role and manipulate her?

And then, Gemma saw Lily’s face. And she knew in a heartbeat that Lily knew. Lincoln was dead, and her friend was devastated. Lily looked around at each of them, though her eyes passed over Hazel like she wasn’t even there. Her long straight blond hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, and she wore a light-tan jacket over a white tank top and white jeans. A pair of diamond studs sparkled in her ears, but she wasn’t wearing a stitch of makeup, which was very unlike her—even at 2:00 a.m. If Lily knew she was going to see people, she was camera ready.

“Where is he? Where’s Lincoln?” Lily said.

Silence. Gemma felt that no one could quite wrap their heads around what they were dealing with. They had lost Lincoln. They had lost Juliet. Trevor had died in the most gruesome way possible. And now, here was the person who had thought it would be fun to screw with their heads yesterday. And also the man who was abusing the woman who lay dead outside on the patio.

She took a deep breath. Someone had to step up.

“I’ll take you to him,” she said.

“I’ll come,” Daisy offered.

Gemma noticed that Lily didn’t seem at all surprised to see her sister. Maybe it was Daisy who had managed to get in touch with her and tell her what had happened. Daisy put her arm around Lily’s waist as they walked down the hall to the billiards room. Marley said something to Marshall and then followed.

“Lily, where have you been?” Marley whispered. “We’ve been trying to call you.”

“I know. My phone . . . I was in town,” Lily said absently. “Gemma didn’t tell you?”

Marley shot Gemma an accusatory look.

“Yes, she’s been on the island for the last few days,” Gemma said. She tried to convey what she was thinking with her eyes. Which was Don’t ask me. I don’t know why she wanted to be close by. And also Now is not the time; she’s about to see her dead ex-husband.

Marley seemed to get the second half of the message, at least, because she cleared her throat and looked contrite.

At the door of the billiards room, Marley and Gemma paused. Lily took one look at the sheet-covered body and ran to it, tears flowing as she fell on her knees next to the couch. She didn’t make a move to uncover Lincoln. She just sat there and cried. Marley hovered awkwardly, and Gemma crossed her arms over her chest, no idea what to do. Sit with Lily? Hug her? Leave her alone?

Daisy stepped into the room behind her sister. “I’ll stay with her,” she said.

Gemma was ashamed by the relief she felt. Then shouting erupted from the great room, and Marley flinched, looking back over her shoulder. Would the misery of this weekend never end?

“Thanks, Daisy,” Gemma said. “We should probably go find out what that’s all about.”

Marley and Gemma hustled back down the hall to rejoin the group and found that Marshall had Josh shoved up against the wall closest to the door and was shouting in his face.

“You killed my brother, you psycho!”

“What are you talking about? Get off me!” Josh shoved Marshall hard, and Marshall went reeling back. Three pillar candles of varying sizes were knocked off a side table and rolled across the floor. Gemma stared at them, wondering why no one had thought to light them.

“He killed Lincoln!” Marshall spat.

Josh threw his hands up. “It wasn’t me, man! I left the party early, as soon as Coco P. was done with her set. That’s what I was trying to tell you earlier! She and her people wanted to get ahead of the hurricane, so I escorted them back to their hotel. I left at, like, eleven thirty. There were six people in the truck with me. Ask them!”

Gemma saw the others exchange dubious glances. It was a bit difficult to believe Josh. He looked completely strung out, eyes wide and bloodshot, a five-o’clock shadow seemingly moments from becoming a full-on werewolf beard. He was still wearing his clothes from the party the night before, with Lincoln’s blood making a constellation across the front of his wrinkled white shirt. There was a bandage wrapped around his right hand.

“You’re a liar.” Droplets of spittle hit Josh in the face, and he flinched, closing his eyes, disgusted. “You attacked him! You said you were going to end him! We all heard it!”

He slammed Josh backward again, and the rear of Josh’s skull cracked against the wall.

“Marshall!” Marley cried, and Marshall seemed to remember where he was. Who else was there. He looked over at his wife, and after a long breath, he released Josh and took a step back. Josh wiped his face with the cuff of one sleeve.

“So where have you been since then?” Suzy asked. “Did you stay with Coco P.?”

Josh gave a snort. “Uh, no. I called Lily, and she let me crash with her.”

Hazel narrowed her eyes, moving Thomas from one arm to the other. Gemma looked at the baby’s peaceful face and almost wished she were him. “Crash with her where, exactly?”

“She’s got an Airbnb near town.” Josh touched his mouth, then looked at his fingers, checking for blood. “She flew out a few days ago.”