Close to the Truth, page 7
Instead of heading out again, which would’ve been odd as she usually listened to the stories and the descriptions, she sat with the guys and listened to people talk about their experience or their cousin’s experience. It was no different to any other stage one interview, except that she knew most of the people—if not by name then on sight.
What was unsettling was when one man came in to talk about the death of his friend. They’d been out together hunting. It had happened so fast. The creature had come out of nowhere. He’d fired some shots into the air, but the River Man hadn’t been startled. Then it had been over, and his friend was gone and so was the River Man.
The worst bit was he’d been a suspect. The cops had thought he’d killed his friend. He’d lost his job and his most of his friends … it had been a dark time. He hated the festival.
Jasmine took a description from the man and also confirmed where he’d seen the creature. His friend’s heart had been ripped out. She remembered hearing about the death as a kid. It had been around the same time she’d seen the River Man. She’d stayed away from the river and her uncle’s property for months, even though her cousins had called her a baby for being scared.
Some of the older folk remembered a previous death. Most attributed that to drinking and swimming in the river at dusk though, not the River Man. No one remembered if his heart had been missing or not. That was interesting, and disturbing. Had the creature not taken hearts until recently?
A man about a decade older than Jasmine swaggered in. He took his cap off and sat in front of the three of them. A faded bruise coloured one cheek. He grinned at the guys, then looked at her.
Her heart stopped. Her cousin Theo. And he’d clearly recognised her.
‘Well if it isn’t little Jasmine. You’re in town and you haven’t bothered to stop in and say hello?’
She swallowed hard. Cal and Luke were looking at her. She could feel their gazes burning her skin.
‘Cat got your tongue? Didn’t you tell your fancy friends this is where you were born?’ Theo rested his elbows on the table between them. ‘Bet there’s a whole lot you didn’t tell them about what you used to get up to here.’
She glared at him. How had he known she was back? Had her mother said something? She’d known going to see her parents was a mistake—even if it was one she had to make. What did Theo have to gain by outing her? Or was it just petty vengeance because she’d gotten out? Was he hoping to drag her back down and destroy everything she’d work for?
Never. She wouldn’t let that happen.
She would never be trapped here the way her mother was.
Damn it, Mom.
‘Do you have a River Man story?’ she said as though she didn’t know what he was talking about, but she was sweating. Her shirt was sticking to her back and her underarms were clammy. All the distance she’d put between herself and Bitterwood vanished.
A few words and she’d lost every mile and everything she’d fought for over the last ten years. She wasn’t that girl anymore. Changing her name hadn’t changed the way people remembered her.
Not that she cared. She didn’t care what they thought. That was a lie. She had wanted to fit in to the town, but her family, made up of people like Theo, had made sure that would never happen. The Royles and Thorpes weren’t the best citizens. If she couldn’t fit in, then she was going to stand out. And she had. For all the wrong reasons.
While she didn’t care what her cousin thought of her, she’d cared what her co-workers thought. She’d worked so hard to prove that she was one of them. That she wasn’t some backwater brat who got lucky.
Theo’s grin widened, as if he knew the damage he was causing to her reputation. ‘Nah. I just wanted to say hi to my baby cousin.’ He stood and put his cap on. ‘Been nice seeing you, Jasmine. I hope you do right by Bitterwood this time.’
He walked out of the small meeting room in the council building. Luke followed him out and shut the door, after telling the waiting people they were having a five-minute break. Then he leaned against the door. ‘What was that all about?’
Jasmine’s mouth was dry. She couldn’t lie her way out of this. Theo had made it quite clear that she’d been raised in Bitterwood and had family here.
Both of her colleagues were looking at her, waiting for an answer.
The riverbank was crumbling beneath her feet. She was going to sink and drown.
‘That was my cousin.’ Well, clearly Theo was. He’d said that. She swallowed and tried again. ‘I was born here, but I moved away a decade ago.’
‘Why didn’t you say? We didn’t need a tour. You know all this stuff.’ Cal crossed his arms.
Jasmine shook her head. ‘I left for a reason. My family isn’t well respected or liked.’ She looked away. ‘I put all of this behind me and changed my name. When I saw that we were coming here, I started praying that no one would recognise me. I was hoping that they’d think I was dead and long gone.’
‘You should’ve told us,’ Luke said.
‘Why? Do you share your past with us?’ She turned to Cal. ‘You’d just have wanted to get me in front of the camera. Look at that, the zoologist on the show grew up with a cryptid.’
‘And do you have a River Man story, Jasmine … if that is your name.’ Cal was still watching her as if he expected her to suddenly morph into someone else.
‘Jasmine is my name. I changed my surname, that’s all.’ Did she tell them about what she’d seen? If she didn’t and something came out later, it would be worse. ‘Yeah … I saw him when I was six.’
Luke grinned. ‘Get out. You saw a cryptid, then became a zoologist to study them?’
‘It wasn’t like that. And this is why I said nothing.’
‘Then what was it like?’ Cal hadn’t uncrossed his arms. ‘How much of what we know about you is a lie?’
‘What you know is true. I do live in Seattle with my aunt. I was raised by her, but only after I turned sixteen. I became a zoologist because I like animals. They fascinate me. People are weird. As for being on the show, I applied because it paid more than the other jobs I’d been doing. I have student loans because I have no rich family to help me out. Shit, I’m the first person to even go to college from my extended family, and I can count on one hand the number who finished high school.’ She shook her head. Once again she was having to justify her existence. Why couldn’t people just accept her?
Luke looked at the ground. He was doing this because it was his passion—his family had enough money that it didn’t matter what he did or how much he earned. His salary was probably pocket money.
‘I’m sure my cousin will be blabbing all over town, so we either get on with our jobs or we make me the issue. I’d prefer the former.’ Then she leaned back and waited. Her heart was hammering her ribs and her back was sweaty with fear. But the worst had happened. Bitterwood would know who she was now, so there was nothing left to fear.
She pressed her lips together to stop the smile from forming. Let them see how far she’d come since leaving the small town and their narrow minds. She wasn’t embarrassed about who she’d become.
‘It’s a shock, Jasmine.’ Luke finally spoke. ‘But I can see why you’d want to move on.’
‘You still should have said something. Damn, Jasmine. It would’ve made things quicker if we’d known.’ Cal shook his head.
‘No it wouldn’t, because as far as I know the mayor doesn’t know who I am.’ And when he found out things might get difficult.
‘Is that going to be a problem?’ Cal turned to face her.
‘No, but when the Chief of Police realises …’ she grimaced.
Luke frowned. ‘Why exactly did you leave?’
She really didn’t want to go into details. ‘You know our guide?’
Cal groaned. ‘I knew you were looking too friendly with him.’
‘We had a thing in high school that didn’t end so well. He’s the chief’s son.’
‘And he knew who you were straight away.’ Luke shook his head. ‘What made you think he wouldn’t reveal the truth?’
Jasmine gave a bitter laugh. ‘Do I really need to answer that?’
‘No. I think we’ve got it. And if I don’t, I don’t want the details about you and him. The question is, what do we do now?’ Cal uncrossed his arms and leaned on the table.
‘I vote for getting on with it. If someone makes it an issue, we deal with it then.’ Luke shrugged. ‘Yeah?’
‘That’s about the only option we have.’ Cal didn’t sound enthused.
‘And if I’d told you before, that would still be the only option. This is about the River Man, not me.’ She hoped her troublemaking cousin fell in the river and accidentally got taken by the creature.
***
As Gil was sweeping the floor—the last thing he did at the end of every day before locking the shop door—his father walked in. The festival was always a busy time for the police because of the influx of visitors. However it was unlikely Dad needed anything from the shop, and if he did he usually sent Mom.
‘How’s it going?’ His father cast a quick glance around, as if noting the lack of customers. It was the end of the day and most people didn’t stop in at closing time. The last-minute shoppers had left ten minutes ago and most of them had been picking up orders they’d placed by phone.
Tonight he’d print any online orders and box them up tomorrow ready for collection. He liked his routine. Everything worked.
‘Good. You here for hardware?’ Gil leaned on the broom. His dad was all grey now, and getting heavier every time he saw him. Gil had been his dad’s height at sixteen, now he was six inches taller and a hell of a lot fitter.
Why had his father seemed so scary as teen?
Maybe all kids were afraid of their parents and getting into trouble. Except Jasmine.
‘No, just wanted to stop in and see how it’s going with that TV show crew.’
‘Fine. They’re interested in the stories, but that’s their job. They make everyone interested and question if these things really exist or not.’
‘That right? You seem to know a lot about them.’ His father fixed him with a stare that had worked ten years ago but not since.
‘I’ve seen a few episodes and I’m their committee liaison.’ Gil finished pushing the dust around then swept it up. He knew where this was leading. Angie had the biggest mouth in town and had run straight to his father. Had it been her who’d made sure Jasmine and he were caught ten years ago? He didn’t want to believe it, but someone must have said something.
His father followed Gil to the trash can. ‘You’ve been seen with the woman.’
Gil emptied the pan and turned around, determined to keep his cool and not let his father get under his skin. ‘And? What does it matter what I do?’
‘People talk,’ his father nodded, like that was all the answer Gil should need or want.
‘Then maybe they should mind their own damn business.’ His life was not that exciting. Obviously neither was anyone else’s if all they had to talk about what he was up to.
His father watched him for a moment. ‘Wherever that girl goes she brings trouble. Her whole family is trouble. I thought you’d learned that lesson.’
Cold traced over Gil’s skin. Jasmine’s secret was out. If his father knew, then everyone would know. He cursed Angie, and then Tyler for being such a goddamn sucker for falling for her.
‘I don’t think it’s any of your business who I see. I thought you’d understand that by now.’ He kept his voice cool and level. He would not give his father the satisfaction of seeing how much it bothered him.
‘I’m doing you a favour, son.’
‘How so? I knew it was her from the moment I researched the TV show. I looked forward to seeing her again. After what you did, you should be glad that she survived.’
‘What I did? I made sure that she didn’t drag you into the mud. People like that only ever drag others down.’
‘Can you hear yourself? She is the host of a TV show. She is successful despite what everyone thought of her.’ Once she’d left Bitterwood, she’d no longer been trapped by old bias; how deeply it truly ran.
‘And you think that changes who she is? She used you last time and she’ll do it again. Mark my words.’ Dad put his hands on his hips as if what he said was indisputable.
Gil swallowed and tried to push down the anger that was spreading like acid through his veins. ‘You had no right to interfere ten years ago and you have less right to interfere now. I’ll do what I damn well please with whoever I damn well please.’
His father stepped back. ‘The town is talking. She tricked them into welcoming her back.’
‘No she didn’t. She came for work. What the gossips don’t like is that she didn’t come back wearing a scarlet letter and with her cap in her hand begging forgiveness. This time her crime is being successful, and it just eats some folk up.’ Gil crossed his arms. ‘I say good on her.’
He stared at his father, daring him to say something else.
His dad grunted. ‘People won’t forget a second time. You’ll ruin yourself and what you love.’ His father swept his hand out to indicate the shop.
Was that a veiled threat? ‘And you’ll make sure of that, will you? You ran her out of town, will you do the same to me?’
His father’s eyes widened for a moment. ‘You’re too damn stubborn. The more you shouldn’t have something, the more you want it. Don’t come crying when she ruins your life.’
With that final parting shot, his father yanked open the door with a jangle and then slammed it closed. Gil walked over and locked it, then flicked the sign over even though people knew his opening hours.
The shop and the town were suddenly too small and were closing in around him. They would all be watching and waiting to see what happened next.
Well, he’d give them something to get all worked up about.
***
Jasmine, Cal and Luke walked out of the council office after spending all afternoon listening to people tell their tales. For the most part it had gone smoothly. Most people had said nothing about who she was, but she knew the whispers would be happening. They walked back through town to the motel. Her phone buzzed.
Want to get dinner?
She should say no. Having dinner with Gil would only add fuel to the fire. On the other hand, what did she care? He might though.
People know. My cousin outed me.
Not just him. Remember Angie Dean from school? She stopped by with suspicions.
Angie … was she the redhead who had always worn nail polish and acted as though she was waiting for a talent scout to come past and notice her? It was flattering that so many people remembered her—and obviously still cared about what she did.
Jasmine glanced at Cal and Luke. ‘Do you guys mind if I head out? I’m going to spend tomorrow afternoon visiting the ranger and then out in the field with the camera crew doing my bit, but I’ll be around in the morning if you need me.’
Cal glanced at her and shook his head. He couldn’t say much as he often bailed on Luke and her because a better offer had come up in a short skirt.
Luke smiled. ‘Someone has to keep the locals on side.’
She laughed. Yeah, if only it was that easy. But she texted Gil and he offered to come to the motel so they could walk to the little Italian place that had been a fish and chip shop when she’d lived here.
Red and blue lights flashed from the car park as they drew closer. There were cop cars at the motel. The three of them stopped and stared. Jasmine sighed. What were the odds that it was unrelated to them being in town?
‘This doesn’t look good.’ Cal walked a little faster.
Their rental SUV now had slashed tyres and words sprayed up the side, ‘The River Man will get you’, all the windows had been smashed.
It wasn’t the first threat they’d received. Or the first lot of property damage. Some towns really loved their creature and didn’t want anyone investigating it. But the timing of this was bad, as though it was a stab at her.
Calvin looked at her. ‘They really do love you, don’t they?’
‘It may have nothing to do with me and more to do with the poking around we’ve been doing. I don’t think what’s here is a cryptid.’ The River Man didn’t fit the pattern.
Luke gave a slow nod. ‘There’s no ancient lore.’
‘If it’s a hoax, it’s been running for a hundred years and that makes no sense.’ Calvin shoved his hands into his pockets as the cop in charge walked over.
Jasmine’s heart sank at the sight of Chief Easton. ‘If it’s a hoax, we already know that the person, or persons, behind it is willing to kill.’
‘If it’s a hoax, why haven’t the cops caught the killer?’ Luke was frowning. ‘I know myths have power … but …’ he let the idea go as Chief Easton drew closer and introduced himself.
‘Jasmine Thorpe.’ The chief smirked.
‘It’s Heydon now.’ She smiled sweetly. She wasn’t going to lose her cool in front of him.
The chief immediately turned his attention to her colleagues and tried to extract facts and gossip. Both Luke and Calvin knew how to handle themselves. She wanted to know if anything had been taken out of the car—or their rooms. From where she was standing she could see the room doors were closed, but that didn’t mean anything.
‘With all due respect, Chief, we aren’t the ones under investigation.’ Luke cut across what Chief Easton had been saying.
Jasmine winced on the inside.
‘Of course you aren’t. And I will do everything I can to catch the vandal, but with so many people—teenagers,’ he slid a sly glance at Jasmine, ‘in town it will be hard. Some people have no respect for the law.’
Jasmine’s fingers curled. That had been for her benefit. Did he think that she’d slept her way onto the TV show? She’d been to college and had a degree. None of that mattered at that moment though, as she felt like the teen with trouble stamped across the ass of her track pants.
