Appetite for Innocence by Berry Lucinda

Author:Berry, Lucinda [Berry, Lucinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, Thriller, Investigation, Psychological Thriller, Serial Rapist, Serial Killer, Internet Crime
Publisher: Rise Press
Published: 2017-04-10T23:00:00+00:00

ELLA

(NOW)

Paige’s parents are here. Their flight got in late last night. They want to see us before we leave to go home. I wonder if it will be her stepdad or if her real dad decided to come too. She talked about him a lot. She always wanted to know if he was looking for her; if he cared she was gone or felt so little for her that he didn’t want to be bothered with it.

They’re coming because yesterday they found human remains at the crime scene. That’s what they call John’s house now—the crime scene. It will be awhile before the results come back from whatever lab they have to send them to, but her parents want to be close. Mom says she understands but it seems a bit creepy to want to be close to bones.

I want to know where Paige is as much as they do. I hope she’s alive. If the bones are Paige’s, then the search can finally be over. There’ll be some answers. But the answer means she’s dead. There’s no way for this to have a good outcome. Either she’s dead or she’s still missing.

I don’t want to meet them. Sarah refused but Mom insisted I do. She says she’d want the same thing if she was in their position. Sometimes I wish her heart wasn’t so big. I rub my hand back and forth across my shaved head. I love the way it feels even though I look like a freak.

Randy walks into the room with a man and woman. The man towers over the woman and he’s got his arm wrapped around her waist. She looks like she might fall over if he didn’t. Edges of pain cut into her face. Her eyes are swollen as if she’s cried the entire way here. She can’t hide her horror when she sees me.

“Oh my God.” She brings her hand up to cover her mouth.

Mom steps in front of me. “She shaved her head herself. He didn’t do that.”

Paige’s mom looks her up and down.

“I’m Jocelyn.” Mom shakes her hand.

“I’m Melanie,” she says.

“Why don’t we all take a seat?” Randy ushers them in the rest of the way.

Everyone is staring at everyone, but trying to pretend like they aren’t.

“Are you Paige’s real dad?” I break the awkward silence.

“Ella! Don’t be rude,” Mom jumps in.

Melanie forces a smile. “No, it’s okay. This is Paige’s stepdad, Victor.”

Victor nods as if to say hello. He’s wearing a red flannel shirt that bulges over his waistline tucked into a pair of jeans. His eyes are hidden behind wire-rimmed glasses. He forces an awkward smile revealing crooked teeth with a slight gap between the front two. I’m glad his smile isn’t perfect.

“Does her real dad know she’s missing?” I ask.

Melanie looks at me through hollow eyes, tunnels of spent emotion. “He does.”

“So, why isn’t he here?” I ask.

“Ella. Stop,” Mom admonishes.

I turn to look at her. “What else are we supposed to talk about?”

Melanie waves her off. “It’s okay.

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