Chasing Secrets: A YA mystery thriller (Gregory Academy Mysteries Book 1)

by Jill Cooper

  Blowing out a deep breath, I put my hand down on a hardcover book on the table by the door. The embossed name on the top is Sinclair, the renter of this rental cabin. I flip through the book and see the family’s signature, and a black and white picture falls out.

  “Jackson,” I whisper and hold it to my chest.

  Outside, a rumble of thunder causes me to jump. In the corner of the room, something falls. “Hello?” I ask and spin around to face the rear window.

  Lightning flashes outside and illuminates the cabin. A dark silhouette hides by the window.

  I’m not alone.

  “Jackson?” My voice trembles.

  I lift my flashlight as the figure rushes me.

  And then I scream.

  I slam whoever it is over the head with my purse. They grab me and push me back against the wall. My head hits against the window, and the light of the moon illuminates the face of my attacker. “Carolyn?”

  Where was Jackson? He was late, but was he on his way?

  “You should’ve stayed away, Amber. You were supposed to stay away.”

  I shake my head. “I was never going to stay away. If you thought so, you were wrong.”

  “Jackson’s mine. You can’t help him. Do you understand? He’s mine!” She shakes me, and I grab her arms.

  “Stop it! You’ve lost your mind if you think you can own another person. I say we wait for him and let him decide what to do.”

  Uncertainty flickers across Carolyn’s face. I stare at her and realize what she’s done. She intercepted my letter. Jackson doesn’t even know I’m here.

  I throw the door open and hurry out of the boathouse.

  “No!” Carolyn yells and races after me. I hurry up toward my car and can hear the rush of footfalls behind me. I reach for my door, but Carolyn tackles me. We hit the ground hard. I scurry away, crawling on all fours. She grabs my leg and drags me back. We fight. I claw at her face, digging my fingernails into her skin.

  “Get off me, Carolyn! Get off!”

  “No! You can’t talk to him. You can’t!” She wraps her hands around my head and smashes it against the rocks.

  Again. And Again.

  The pain blinds me. “Stop! Carolyn!” I shriek. The force of my head hitting the rocks jars me. The back of my head feels wet. I reach up and grip her cheeks tight with my fingers, my nails digging into her flesh.

  Carolyn screams. “I hate you! I hate you!” And she throttles my head back hard against the point of a rock.

  And then there’s nothing except a baby’s cry.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Jessica: September 13th, 2020

  I’m thrown into the trunk of a gray sedan. It’s hard to breathe when you’re panicking, and every bump in the road tosses me around. My shoulder screams with searing, red-hot pain and is wet with blood. I don’t know if the shot is fatal, if I’m bleeding out, or if I’m just being a drama queen.

  The car careens back and forth, and my head gets knocked into the side. I groan, my mouth is covered in duct tape so I can do little else.

  Where has Cameron been? Why hadn’t he come to find me? I knew he couldn’t be trusted as far as you can throw him, but I didn’t think he’d abandon me. Turns out I had expected too much of him. I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice—if I got another chance at this.

  The car finally stops moving, and the engine cuts. Whatever is about to happen, is happening soon. I steel myself and try to pump myself up to fight for my life. When the trunk pops open, the cop grabs me by my hair and yanks me out. He drops me onto the dirt. It’s soft like it’s been wet, and there’s small grass growing up through the mud.

  We’re in the woods. There’s nothing but trees for miles around except right in front of me, buried partially in dirt, is a steel box with breathing holes in the top. If he expects me to go quietly, he has another thing coming. He lifts the lid, and I scurry away, but he hooks me with his arm around my waist. He yanks me back and drops me to the ground.

  “Let me go!” I scream and kick backward to get away from him. He grabs my ankles and tosses me down into the box.

  “Let’s see you get out of there before high tide. You’ll drown, and no one will ever know what happened to you.”

  I struggle to sit up as he throws the lid shut. I push against it. If he latches it, I’m as good as dead. I push against his strength. The muscles in my arms burn as I push and push. I groan and scream with exertion.

  Suddenly, there’s a scuffle. The lid goes flying open, and I see two men tumbling on the ground. I pick up a nearby shovel and wield it overhead, but I pause when I see the old man standing over the cop. He’s holding a gun, but I can’t keep my eyes off his kind face.

  I’ve known him all my life.

  I lower my shovel. “Grandpa?”

  He turns with grief on his face and tears in his eyes. “I guess it’s time you know. Time I come forward and pay for what I did.”

  I’m not sure I understand. I drop the shovel to the ground, and in the distance, I hear the sirens of the police growing closer. “I don’t know what you’re saying. What did you do?”

  He doesn’t take his eyes off the fallen chief of police. “I was there the night Amber Chetwood was murdered. I’m the one who saved you.”

  Chapter Forty-Eight: Hector Chase 2004

  Carolyn’s mess needs cleaning up, and when something goes wrong for the Sinclairs, I take care of it, but it has never been like this before.

  I strip Tess Summers’ body of her clothes, and it’s clear she’s recently given birth. I push her off the cliff and put all of her clothes in a garbage bag and throw them in the trunk of her car. It’ll have to be hidden away somewhere no one will find it. Somewhere no one will look. Once her body is found, things will blow up.

  I need to find where she’s been for the last nine months and make sure no one talks. This all needs to go away.

  I slam the trunk down and peer into the backseat of the car. The baby’s awake. She blinks and looks around.

  “What do you want me to do with the baby?”

  “Babies belong with their mothers. Throw her off the cliff so they can be together,” Carolyn says coldly. More coldly than anything I’ve ever heard before, and I’ve heard a lot. She storms off up the cliffs, and I’m left staring after her. I’m not sure I’ve ever known anyone so cruel.

  I open the back door and unsnap the baby from her car seat. She coos as I cradle her close to my chest to protect her from the cold winds from the ocean. She has those big blue eyes, just like her mother.

  I gaze back at the main house. I know there’s no way I can do what Carolyn wants, but I also can’t bring the baby to the Sinclairs or to the Summers family. I need to find another way. A secret way. The only way will be if both families believe the baby is dead. That means her well- being is up to me.

  “Don’t worry, little one,” I whisper. “I’m going to find you a home.”

  And I think I know right where I’ll start.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Jessica: September 14th, 2020

  I lay in my hospital bed with my arm in a sling. Ten hours have gone by, and my mind reels from what’s happened. Cameron was found knocked out at the Chetwood estate, critically injured thanks to the chief of police. The FBI arrested the chief, but as far as Carolyn and Mr. Davis, their bodies had been destroyed passed recognition. The official story was they were attacked by a pack of wolves, but I know differently.

  Never anger the momma bear.

  Martin and Jackson both visit me and lay claim to me. Martin spins the story he and Amber were in love, but I believe the other version. Still, I won’t make waves. He could be my father, and until I know for sure, I’m remaining tight-lipped.

  My family, the one who raised me and kept me protected, barely leaves my side. My grandfather saved me and took me to his son and his new wife. They moved, pretended I had always been theirs, but neither of them knew my origin story but were told to keep my adoption a secre
t. At least not until we moved to Bay Harbor. Then Mom figured it out and called Dad for help.

  In my good hand, I hold a letter from May Chetwood, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

  Thank you for freeing me of this curse. My days aren’t long on this earth, but I’d love to visit once I get settled into my new condo soon. Please stop by. I’d love to get to know you for a little while.

  Mom sits in the chair beside me, reading a mystery novel. Personally, I’ve had enough mysteries for a long time. “You have some big decisions to make, Jess. Martin, Jackson, and May all want something from you. You’ll need to protect your emotional space. If you’re not ready to see her, or any of them, I’ll kick them out.”

  I laugh, and Mom laughs, too.

  “Not yet. I mean, I’m ready to see May Chetwood. She did leave me a mansion.”

  Mom snorts. “In complete disarray. But one day it will be yours. And her business. I guess you’ll need to decide what you want to do.”

  “Right now, all I really want is a nap.”

  As I say it, Ryan steps inside and is carrying a bouquet of flowers. “Hey.”

  “Hi,” I wave at him and glance at my mom.

  She gets the message pretty quickly. She slides up from her seat and closes her book. “I’m going to grab some coffee. I’ll be right back.” Mom gives Ryan a glare as she walks by and I can’t remember why. Then I remember about the night at the drive-in. It seems so long ago now and not very important.

  “Hi, I wanted to bring you these.” He places them down on the end table.

  “Thanks, that’s nice of you.”

  “Figure it’s the least I can do. Since you might be my sister.” He sits down on the edge of the bed and glances at me. “I was so into you; I really hope you’re not.”

  I get it. “You were into me?”

  Ryan shrugs. “Still am. But I know, I was beyond a jerk. I was ready to ruin your life. My ego was bruised, and I just wasn’t thinking.” He shakes his head and looks profoundly disappointed in himself. “I want to be a better person.”

  “I guess I can’t really say anything other than I forgive you. I don’t know if we’re related or not yet. If we are related, I want us to have a relationship.” If Martin is my dad, I’m going to need all the support I can get.

  “And if we’re not related?”

  I grin. “Let’s take it one step at a time.”

  He returns it. “Deal.”

  Chapter Fifty

  Hector Chase turns himself over to the feds and turns over the car Amber had been driving the night she died. He had it hidden at an old farm turned into a junkyard for almost twenty years. In the back are Amber’s clothes, and Carolyn Sinclairs DNA is all over them. The case on Amber Sinclair is finally closed. Her spirit can finally lay to rest.

  I hope.

  The next few days travel by in a blur. I’m resting comfortably at home, and my room has more flowers than a florist shop. My shoulder is still sore and in a sling. I tire easily but have regular visitors from school. New friends who I didn’t know cared, plus Winnie. Cameron hasn’t been released yet from the hospital, and we’ve only spoken briefly.

  I spend what time I’m awake watching television and reading headlines from the local newspaper. Mr. Davis’ replacement for Gregory Academy is being sent down soon. Carolyn Sinclair has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Amber Chetwood and a host of other illegal activities. The chief of the police has been relieved of duty and been arrested. The town is changing, and I hope it’s for the better.

  Winnie comes over, and we play cards. We don’t talk about her mother. We don’t talk very much at all.

  “Homecoming dance is being rescheduled and coming up in a few days,” I say and deal another hand. I know we probably both have a lot to say, but the fact she stops over means maybe she wants to be friends.

  She nods and fans her cards out. “You going to go?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know if I have any reason to.”

  Winnie smiles bashfully. “I think you do. I mean, I’ll be there. And who knows. We might be sisters.”

  I grin. “It would be nice. We’ll know soon.” There’s a long pause between us. We play several more rounds until I find the courage to speak. “About your mom… If you blame me, maybe you should just hit me. Get it over with.”

  Winnie places her cards face down. “I don’t know how to feel. I know what they say she did. I get it’s all true. She was my mom. But I also know what she did to your mom. I don’t know if she planned it or if it just happened. Either case, maybe we’re just even. Square.”

  Even and square. Maybe it’s the best I can hope for.

  “Come on,” Winnie says. “Let’s go raid the fridge. Your mom says there’s leftover casseroles and pies.”

  Nothing says welcome to the neighborhood like murder, casseroles, and pie. Blueberry pie.

  I pace back and forth in the living room, my hand on my hip. Mom and Dad sit next to each other, but not too close. “Whoever shows up at the door, we’re still here. We’re still your family,” Mom says.

  They’ve said it a million times over the last few days. It’s true, I know that, but my biological father is about to walk through that door. My nerves are twisted up. Jackson and Martin both desperately want me to be theirs, but I can’t please both of them. Only one of them could be my real father. And I know which one I hope it is.

  “No matter what happens, we’re all together,” Dad says. “Staying in Bay Harbor, working through our issues. I’m just sorry I left. Sorry I hurt you both. As much as you thought I was lying before, I wasn’t.”

  “I know now, Dad. I know.”

  Mom stands up and puts her arms around me. “If I had known what waited for us here, I never would’ve taken the job. But I guess it’s good we came. Good all of this could come out in the open. We set a lot of things right.”

  I glance at her and Dad. “We set a lot of things right.” And I really couldn’t regret that, could I?

  The doorbell rings, and I jump. Here it is—the moment of truth. I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans. My parents nod, and it gives me a boost of confidence. I put my hand on the doorknob, and after taking a moment, yank it open.

  Jackson Sinclair stands on the other side, a slight smile on his face. His eyes shine in a new way, and he looks happy as he offers me his hand. I take it. I’m a Chase, but I’m also a Sinclair.

  I think I’m good with that.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Jessica: September 16th, 2020

  Days go by. I’m tired of talking to the FBI, the police, and the journalists who want to interview me. My Instagram is blowing up, and I use it to put the focus on who my mother really was and how she suffered at the hands of Bay Harbor and the caste society of the rich vs poor, which runs so rampant through the city.

  I spend time with my new bio-dad and my half-siblings. Penelope works out some sort of plea deal where she receives house arrest and ankle monitoring. She won’t talk to me, and I don’t want to deal with her either. She hadn’t killed my mother, but she scared Amber away. She gave Carolyn the opportunity to do the deed. Penelope knew and played along. You can’t just forgive that.

  Grandmother or no.

  It’s a big day when Cameron is finally released from the hospital. I meet with his parents and have balloons hanging off his front porch when he gets home. There’s still a bandage wrapped around his head, and he’s shaky on his feet. So, I hold his hands as he steps into the living room and sees the banner some of us from school made for him.

  “I’ll get the cake and ice cream,” his mom says and rushes off to the kitchen.

  Cameron takes my hands. “Was this all your idea?”

  “Not just my idea. I just…feel really bad about what happened. You were helping me, and you nearly got killed.”

  “I wanted to help you. You didn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to do.” Lightly, he kisses my cheek. A real gentleman. Soon I might have to make a
choice between him and Ryan. I’d be a fool to not choose Cameron, but something about Ryan draws me to him. I’m not sure I can walk away from either of them.

  Wouldn’t it be easier if I just got to keep them both? I nearly laugh at such a crazy idea.

  “I might feel bad for a little bit longer. I promise to let it go.”

  “Good. If you want to make it up to me, you could let me take you to homecoming next week.”

  Homecoming. I give him a flirty shrug. “Maybe I will.”

  He smiles and kisses my hand. We head into the kitchen to have some cake and ice cream. It’s a near-perfect afternoon. When Cameron gets tired, we hang out in his room. He lies on the bed and rests his eyes while I sit beside him. When his phone buzzes, I leap up to silence it for him.

  I turn the ringer off his phone and notice his background image is of me. I’m walking down the sidewalk outside of the Chinese restaurant. It’s clear I didn’t know Cameron was there. A chill races up my back as I open his photo folder and see it’s not the only photo he took of me. There’s some of me and Ryan at the junior party at the boat resort, some of me at the drive-in buying popcorn, and a handful more.

  He’s been following me. Stalking me.

  I feel physically sick.

  I’m about to put the phone down when a message is posted on the school’s iCloud server. I bring it up and quickly scroll through all the well wishes, trying to settle the vomit rising up my throat. Then I see a text message I wish I had never seen.

  CLIMB BACK INTO THE GRAVE YOU CLIMBED OUT OF.

  My heart flutters with panic. All this time, I thought Ryan had sent the messages to scare me, but it had been Cameron.

  My hands are shaking when I put the phone down on the dresser. I don’t know what game Cameron’s been playing, but I’ll have no part in it. Whatever he’s up to, I’m going to figure out what it is. Before I end up just like my mother, Amber Chetwood.