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Blood on the floor had been marked in and then used to write scribbles on the wall.
“There are drawings in the garage. A child’s drawings. In the blood.”
“The child’s drawings. Same thing all over Presley’s bedroom walls. We kept that quiet while we did our investigating. We told Presley’s parents to keep it confidential, too.”
My eyes popped open, and I stood upright, seeing that Elliott was holding Duke’s wrist, glowering at my assailant. Elliott’s voice was low and menacing. “Don’t you touch her.”
Mavis’s eyes softened as she looked at my fingers curled tightly around her squishy wrist.
Seconds before, she had been stronger, more like my uncle John.
Catherine held out her hands as if she were trying to calm a wild animal. “Mama? It’s okay.”
“I wanna go to bed,” Mavis said in a child’s voice. “Shhh,” Catherine said. “I’ll take you to bed. It’s okay.”
“Oh my God,” Mrs. Mason whispered from behind me. “How many are there?” “How many of what?” I asked, feeling more confused by the second. “Seven,” Catherine said, helping Mavis to her feet. “Mrs. Mason, this is . . . this is Poppy. She’s Duke’s daughter, and she’s five.”
“My goodness,” Catherine’s mom said in a different voice, “I have been doing laundry all day, and would you look at me.” She smiled at us, embarrassed. “I’m a fright.” She looked to Catherine. “I told that man not to. I begged him. Duke doesn’t listen. Doesn’t listen at all.” “It’s okay, Althea,” Catherine said.
What I was seeing didn’t make sense. It was as if Catherine and her mom were playing a prank, with Mavis speaking in different voices and Catherine acting like it was normal was real. I watched it all in disbelief.
She tugged on my arm, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Catherine. She tended to her mother, waiting for Mavis to speak, waiting to hear who she was talking to.
“Chicago,” I said, recognizing the voice. The same one that had come to Catherine’s bedroom door and tried to come in. “That’s Willow.”
“No one came for her.” Willow smirked. “I don’t know what happened. But I know Duke buried her in the dirt plot next door with the others.”
“Mama,” she cried. “I can’t follow you here.”
As crazy as it sounded, Mavis was stronger when she was Duke. “He killed Presley,” I said in disbelief. “The guy. Duke.”
“It was all of them,” Mrs. Mason said, a single tear spilling down her cheek. “She’s dead.” She covered her mouth, trying to stifle her cries. “Presley is dead.”
“Althea. Duke. Poppy. Willow. Uncle Toad. Cousin Imogen.” “That’s six.” She hesitated. “Catherine,” I prompted. “Mama,” she blurted out. “Mama is the seventh.”
“One of the guys kicked something over down there. I’m not sure. Where’s the extinguisher? In the kitchen?” he asked, turning his back to us. “No! No,” Catherine said, jerking away from the officer holding her. “Let it burn!”
“I want to watch. I want to see it burn all the way to the ground.” The Juniper was burning, and the Masons’ house was a bloody crime scene. She couldn’t go back there.
She sucked in a shaky breath and peered at the mansion over her shoulder. “Get pictures.”
“The spare bedroom is ready. We can pick up her things tomorrow.” He turned me to face him. “You okay?” I nodded, and he hugged me.
“We’ll take care of her,” Uncle John said. I nodded. It was time someone took care of Catherine for a change.
Watching the Juniper burn was unexpected closure, and a strange sense of calm came over me every time I inhaled. Mama could never go back. I would never have to go back. We were free.
I hugged him, burying my face in his neck. “You came back.” He leaned his head on mine. “I told you I would.
“You could have told me. I wish you’d told me sooner.” “It was a secret,” I said. “And you can definitely keep a secret.”
“And look where that got us.” “Here, safe with me.” His words were tinged with impatience, as if I should have known. “You know, for two years, everyone said I should forget about you, but I fought for you anyway. When I finally got here, you hated me, but I fought for you anyway. You kept your secrets, you pushed me away, you’ve all but said that we’re over after graduation, but I keep fighting. When I opened the door to the basement, I didn’t know what I was walking into. But I walked down the steps anyway. I’m not scared of much, Catherine, but I was terrified of what I would see when I
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“Yeah, I remember. But . . . are you going to come with me?” I shrugged one shoulder. “Mrs. Mason said I could get grants and maybe an academic scholarship. I could get a loan to cover what’s left. I could get a job. I’m no stranger to hard work. I—”
“I was sure this whole time I was going to lose you.” A ghost of a smile touched my lips. “But you fought for me anyway.”
“Did you get everything settled with the insurance company?” I nodded. “They sent the check last week. It’s going to cover college and then some. Thank you for signing the papers.”
“Well, you can thank your dad. He’s the one who insisted I . . .” She trailed off, noticing my expression. “Never mind.” “I think it’s nice that you still talk to him.” Mama looked around and leaned in. “It’s okay. We won’t tell anyone. You don’t have to worry.” “What do you mean?”
I saw glimpses of Poppy as she ate, wondering if my friends were still inside of her somewhere.
The photos Elliott had taken of me and Dad were the only ones I had left, and they were packed in one of the four boxes that held everything I owned.
I wasn’t sure if it was right or wrong that I found comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone in my suffering.
“Only because I know how it ends,” I said. Elliott smiled, looking more content than I’d ever seen him. “This isn’t the end. Not even close.”
A new dorm, a new roommate, and a new life was waiting for me at Baylor.
The insurance money from the Juniper would pay for all four years of college, and Elliott had a full scholarship. The worst was behind us.
“You don’t have to read the letters now. Rest. We have plenty of time.” I leaned against the headrest, my eyes feeling heavy. “Promise?” He brought my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles, and then nodded.
