Today's Promises (Promises #2)(16)

“So he wants something from you?” Jaynie correctly guesses.

“Yeah, yeah, he does.” I lean my head back against the wall and say, “He wanted to know if I’d be willing to help.”

Skeptically, she says, “Help with what, exactly?”

I sure wish I had another smoke when I have to tell her, “He wants me to help with the missing girl case.”

Carefully, voice level, Jaynie wants to know, “And in what way, exactly, does this detective think you can help?”

I lean forward and take both her hands in mine. We need solidarity, now more than ever.

“Jaynie, Detective Silver thinks the body of the missing girl—her name was Debbie Canfield, by the way—may be buried somewhere up on the Lowry property. Maybe in the woods.”

“Flynn,” she counters, “the woods are endless. There are acres and acres of fields and forest. If that poor girl… Debbie, right?”—I nod—“Well, if this Debbie really is buried up there, she could be anywhere.”

Our hands still intertwined, I squeeze and say, “Yeah, but think about it. If Allison or Mrs. Lowry—”

“You know it had to be Allison,” Jaynie interjects. “Mrs. Lowry is wicked, but she’s no killer.”

She’s probably right, as Allison is a sociopath.

I blow out a breath. “Okay. So if Allison murdered this Debbie girl, and we’re looking at the event happening about seven years ago, she would’ve only been around fifteen at the time. Allison, that is,” I clarify.

“A psycho even then,” Jaynie murmurs.

“Yeah, well, psycho or not, she wouldn’t have been strong enough to drag a body all the way up into the woods. And then, on top of that, dig a grave and bury said body.”

“She disposed of that poor girl somewhere, Flynn.”

“I know, I know. So hear me out.”

Jaynie nods and I continue with my theory. “I think something happened. Probably down at the house… Or more likely in the work barn. Think about it, Jaynie. Those were the places where all our own altercations with Allison occurred.”

She’s quiet for a moment. Pondering, I guess.

At last, she says, “Yeah, but the barn where we worked wouldn’t have been in existence back then. My social worker told me the day she dropped me off that our work barn was relatively new.”

“Good point. And true, before our work barn was built, all the crafts were made up in the old barn.”

Jaynie looks appalled. “You mean the one up on the hill? The one where we used to play freaking Hide and Seek with the twins?”

I nod grimly. “Yeah, that would be the one.”

Letting go of my hands, Jaynie hangs her head. “God, Flynn. If that girl is buried up there, we probably tromped all over her grave dozens of times.”

“Hey, we don’t know if she’s buried there.” I try to sound reassuring. “In fact, we don’t know anything yet. But even if it turns out to be true, how could we have known?”

“I guess,” Jaynie grudgingly concedes. And then she asks, “Did you tell the detective all of this?”

“No, not yet.”

“Wait, why not? I thought he wanted your help with the case.”

“He does, but he wants more than guesses and theories. He wants me to do some kind of an official walk-through on the property with him. That way I can point out all the places I think Allison could’ve buried a body. The old barn’s the most likely place, seeing as it was the work barn when she was there. But, I don’t know, I could be wrong.”

“So,” Jaynie says on a loud sigh. “You’re completely set on doing this, aren’t you? Even if it means spending more time in a place we both hate.”

I think it over carefully before I respond. But, really, I have no choice but to say. “If it helps keep Allison behind bars—and, more importantly, away from you—I’ll sleep up in that damn place if they need me to.”

“You will do no such thing, Flynn O’Neill.”

“Okay. But I’m going to help, Jaynie. In any way I can.”

She just about blows me away when she then declares, “Well, you’re not doing this alone. If you’re going to help with the case, then damn it, so am I.”





Jaynie



Flynn’s busy working his new job all week, and I continue with my own shifts at the sandwich shop. We’re too tired most nights to discuss much of anything, let alone the case of the missing girl and how we’re supposed to help. Sometimes I can’t believe I volunteered to return to the Lowry house, considering all my misgivings. But something deep inside my heart compelled me to offer my assistance.

Doing so has been good for me too, in a surprising way. Taking the reins and feeling in control is something I’ve missed. Not that I’ve had tons of experience knowing how these things feel.

But I’m learning. And it’s making me feel, dare I say, empowered.

I’ve noticed my nightmares have lessened this week, and that’s a first. In addition, I’m not hoarding as many candy bars as before. Hopefully, this positive progress will continue. I just pray I don’t lose my shit when I actually step back on the Lowry property.

I’ll have to keep reminding myself, again and again, that Flynn is there with me so I’ll be okay.