Youre not exactly on the bridge. Youre on top of it.
On top of it?
On top of the truss.
Thats impossible. But even as she protested, she realized the feathery forms all around her were the tops of cypress trees. She could feel the night air on her face and the hardness of the support beneath her. The nightmarish sensation of falling gripped her again and she said in a terrified whisper, Please dont let go of me.
I wont, he promised.
Somehow she believed him. How did I get up here?
You tell me.
Sometimes I sleepwalk. I have these falling dreams
Youre not going to fall. If you go, I go and Im not in the mood for a swim. So heres what I need you to do. Right now, youre lying on your left side facing out toward the water. Take a moment to get your bearings.
I can see cypress trees. Theres a light somewhere below us
Dont look down. Stay focused on the task at hand. Listen to me carefully. I need you to roll to your stomach, but theres not a lot of space to operate. Id say about a foot, give or take.
She put out a hand and felt nothing but air. I cant. There isnt enough room.
If theres room enough for you to curl up and sleep, theres enough room for you to roll over. Besides, youre small. You dont need much space.
I cant. Please dont make me.
He was silent for a moment. Whats your name?
Olive Belmont.
Olive? As in Nathan Bolts cousin? He sounded surprised.
Yes. You know Nathan?
We go back. Listen to me, Olive. Were going to do this together, okay? Im right here with you. Youll be able to see me in a moment. Put your right hand on the support and clamp your fingers around the edge. Do the same with your left as you slowly position yourself facedown.
Olive clutched the edge, but she didnt roll over. Not for the longest time. Then drawing a breath, she slowly shifted her body. The rafter rocked and the whole frame seemed to shimmy. She froze. I cant.
Yes, you can. This bridge isnt going anywhere. Just take your time. Thats it. Nice and easy.
Olive tried to ignore the metallic screeches and the disorienting sway of the structure beneath her. Instead, she let that soothing voice guide her as she maneuvered her hands and body until she lay face down on the support, still breathing hard and trembling.
Good job. Now youre going to get on your hands and knees and slowly crawl toward me. Got it?
Yes.
Dont look down, look at me. Whenever youre ready.
Olive rose on hands and knees, balancing herself on the precarious beam. The light from below provided enough illumination so that she could see the silhouette of the man facing her.
Follow me, Olive. Nice and slow. Were in no hurry. We have all night.
His voice flowed over her, so honeyed, so comforting in the dark. She could see the gleam of his eyes, the curve of his jaw. He seemed very steady on the rafter. Not the least bit afraid.
She drew a deep breath and released it. Im ready.
They began to move slowly, inch by inch toward the end of the bridge. He had the more difficult job because he was maneuvering backward on the unsteady support. He didnt look over his shoulder or down at the water. He kept his eyes trained on Olive. She tried to do the same. She didnt dare look out over the lake. She didnt dare peer down into that misty abyss.
Almost there. Youre doing great, but I need you to stay focused, okay? I need you to stay calm. He came to a halt and she did the same. His eyes gleamed in the dark as he held her gaze. Now comes the tricky part.
The tricky part? she echoed faintly.
Were going to lower ourselves over the side. The braces form a sort of ladder at the end of the horizontal beam. I imagine thats how you got up here.
I dont remember.
Its not as hard as it sounds. I climbed this thing more times than I could count as a kid. Nathan did, too.
That doesnt sound like Nathan, she said.
It took a lot of double-dog daring.
She heard a smile in his voice and shivered. Im ready.
He went over the side first, finding his footing and then clinging with one hand as he waited for her. Olive counted to ten and then eased into position, lowering her legs and grappling for a foothold. The movement must have put too much pressure on the rusty bolts. She heard a loud snap and then one end of the beam dropped out from under her. For one heart-stopping moment, she found herself in a free fall.
Then a hand clamped around her wrist. Easy now. Ive got you.
Dont let go! she pleaded.
Not a chance, he said as he tightened his grip.
Chapter Three
He pulled her up to the ladder and then his arm came around her, holding her close as she found her footing. Now that one end of the beam had popped free, the integrity of the structure was even more compromised. The struts clanged ominously as Olive and her rescuer began their descent. At deck level, he climbed over the guardrail and helped her through. She clutched his arm, mindful of all those missing planks and the glisten of water far below.
Lets get off this thing, he said and took her hand, leading her from the bridge. When they were safely on the bank, she stopped and bent double, catching her breath.
Are you okay?
She drew in air. I just need a moment.
You did great, he said.
She sucked in several more breaths before she straightened. She could see him more clearly now. He was tall and slim with broad shoulders and long legs. Dark hair, dark eyes. Tantalizingly familiar.
She could see him so well, in fact, she wondered if the moon was up, but then she realized the light came from a bobbing boat at the edge of the water.
I dont know how I can ever thank you. If you hadnt found me when you did... She trailed off on another shudder. How did you even know to look for me up there?
I didnt. It was just a lucky break. He paused. You really dont remember how you got up there?
I dont even know how I got to the lake. I have no memory of leaving my house. She glanced down at her bare feet, realizing for the first time that she was in her pajamas. The fabric was summer-weight cotton. Sheer if the light hit her just right, but modesty was the least of her worries. She pulled a leaf from her hair and watched it swirl to the ground. I dont remember anything.
What about sounds? he asked. Did you hear any loud noises? A car engine maybe?
She shook her head. I dont think so. But sleepwalking occurs in deep sleep. I never remember anything.
He stared down at her for a moment. Do you do this often?
No, not in years. I had a sleep disorder in my early teens, but I thought Id outgrown it. Anyway, the point is, its like having amnesia. I dont even know what awakened me.
Maybe you sensed my presence up there on the beam or felt my hand on your shoulder. I did my best not to startle you.
Thank you. That could have been disastrous for both of us. Now that she was on solid ground and the danger was over she found herself growing curious about him. He still seemed familiar and very capable. You said you and Nathan go back. Did you go to school together?
Thank you. That could have been disastrous for both of us. Now that she was on solid ground and the danger was over she found herself growing curious about him. He still seemed familiar and very capable. You said you and Nathan go back. Did you go to school together?
From kindergarten on.
Wait. I know you, she blurted as recognition dawned. Youre Jack King.
She saw a frown fleet across his face. My reputation precedes me, I guess.
It isnt that. I remember you from the year my mother and I moved to Pine Lake. We stayed with Nathan and his dad until we got our own place. You used to come by the house with Tommy Driscoll and some of the other seniors. Youd hang out by the pool. I was invisible to most of Nathans friends, but you were always nice to me.
Was I?
She gave an awkward laugh. I guess I was invisible to you, too. You dont remember me, do you?
I do now, but youve changed. No glasses, no braces. He canted his head, peering down at her in the light. I think I can still see some freckles, though.
A thrill chased up Olives spine at his scrutiny. Shed never told anyonehad barely admitted it even to herselfthat shed had a crush on Jack King that year. Nathans other friends were rude and boisterous, but Jack was different. To a hopelessly romantic fourteen-year-old, hed seemed deep and introspective. And devastatingly handsome. You havent changed a bit, she said.
Id wait for better lighting to make that assessment.
I can see you just fine.
Car engines sounded on the road. Doors slammed and male voices carried in the dark.
Thatll be the sheriff. Jack turned toward the trees and called out to the newcomers. Down here!
Olive scanned the woods anxiously. You called the police? Why didnt you wait for their help to get me down?
I didnt think it a good idea to leave you up there any longer than was necessary. Besides, I didnt call the cops because of you. He hesitated, his eyes going past her to the water. No easy way to say this. I found a body in the lake before I saw you on the bridge.
Olives hand crept to her throat. A body?
A woman.
Do you know who she is?
No. But if shes local, the sheriff or one of his deputies can likely identify her.
Olive closed her eyes in dread. If shes local, shes probably someone I know. A former student perhaps or even a friend. Pine Lake is small. Everyone knows everyone.
I remember.
She turned to the lake in horror. Someone she knew could be out there in the water at that very moment, dead and drifting. It gave her the oddest feeling. Part fear, part sadness, part relief. If shed fallen from the rafters, shed likely be dead and drifting, too.
But she was safe and sound thanks to Jack King and this night was no longer about her.
She wrapped her arms around her middle. Could you tell how she died? Was it a drowning accident?
His gaze on her deepened. Olive shivered at the intensity of his stare. The scruff on his lower face made him look dangerously enigmatic. The way he towered over her made him seem just plain dangerous.
You should wait and ask the sheriff those questions. I wouldnt want to be accused of interfering in his investigation.
Of course. I understand. Its just...what if it is someone I know?
Youll find out soon enough, he said with a nod as Tommy Driscoll and two of his deputies came crashing through the underbrush. The subordinates wore uniforms, but Tommy had on jeans, cowboy boots and a white dress shirt with pearl buttons. He looked as if he had been out dancing. Or up to no good.
He stopped dead when he spotted them. Then he said something over his shoulder to one of the deputies before he joined Olive and Jack on the bank.
Olive tried not to show her disdain for the Caddo County sheriff. She respected his position but not so much the man. If Jack King had been her favorite of Nathans friends, Tommy Driscoll had been her least. Even as a teenager, hed been arrogant and overbearing and shed seen no evidence of evolution.
Unlike Jack, the years hadnt been kind to him physically. His muscles had softened as his features had hardened. He was still married to his high school sweetheart, but rumors about affairs had run rampant for years. Beth Driscoll taught science at Pine Lake High School. She was a lovely woman and a dedicated teacher. Olive would never understand why someone who had so much going for her would put up with a man like Tommy.
He and Jack eyed each other warily before Tommy gave a brief nod. Jack.
Tommy.
They didnt shake hands, Olive noted.
Good to see you, buddy. Sorry it has to be under these circumstances. When did you get into town?
A few hours ago.
Helluva homecoming. Tommys gaze slid to Olive, taking in her pajamas and bare feet. Olive? What are you doing down here?
She just got here, Jack said.
Tommy frowned. Got here from where?
From the road. She said she heard my boat.
It was all Olive could do not to turn and gape at Jack. Somehow she managed to stifle her shock under Tommys narrow-eyed inspection.
Lets let Olive answer for herself, he said.
She nodded. I was out for a walk when I heard the boat. I came down here to see who was out on the lake so late. I thought someone might be dumping trash. You know what an environmental hazard that poses.
I know you like your causes, Tommy said. But youre telling me you were out for a walk at this hour? In your pajamas? Without shoes?
I didnt expect to end up so far from the house. Ive been under a lot of stress lately and I only meant to get a bit of fresh air to clear my head. Next thing I knew, Id walked all the way to the lake.
Tommys gaze went from Olive to Jack and then back to Olive. He lowered his voice as he took a step toward her. Are you sure youre okay?
His implication couldnt have been plainer and she resented it on Jacks behalf. She told herself it was silly to feel so protective of a stranger, but she found herself pressing closer to him anyway. Of course, I am, she said coolly. And I think youve more important things to worry about than me.
He gave her another curious look before turning back to Jack. Wheres the body?
Jack gestured toward the lake. I can take you out in the boat and show you.
Tommy nodded. Yeah, lets go have a look.
The deputies still hovered a few feet away and Tommy went over to confer for a moment.
What was that all about? Olive whispered furiously.
Trust me, I know what Im doing, Jack said.
By lying to the police?
Itll be okay, he assured her.
Olive wasnt as convinced, but it was a little too late for second thoughts. Not only had she gone along with Jacks fabrication, shed embellished his account. If she came clean now, it would make both of them look foolish and possibly suspect.
But those lies had flowed just a little too easily, from her and from Jack. Olive had never considered herself the subversive type, although as Tommy had pointed out, she supported causes near and dear to her heart and had never been shy about voicing an opinion. Deliberately misleading the police, though? That was a serious matter and one she shouldnt have undertaken so lightly.