here we go.”
“Do you want me to talk or —.”
“I’ll talk. I need to take control of this now.” And I knew that I did. Lucy was a good friend and great emotional support, but this was on me. I need to put on my big girl boots and figure this out for myself. I was in love with Wade and I had given myself to him and I knew that I wanted nothing more than to just enjoy my time with him. But I also knew that we couldn’t go any further if I was questioning whom he was. And as long as he was holding his deep dark secrets, I was never going to know if he was the man I truly believed him to be or if he were someone capable of really dark things.
“Hello Beryl, I need to ask you some questions.” I said as soon as she approached us. Normally I would order something and be more coy, but this was too important. I was hoping that once Beryl provided us some information on Ramsay then Lucy and I could go and search for him. We didn’t have time to sit around and wait for Beryl to come and talk to us.
“Would you like a table?” Beryl’s eyes looked apprehensive as I shook my head. “I see, well, come to the counter and I will see if I can help.”
“Thank you.” We all walked over to the counter and I immediately turned to Beryl and questioned her. “Do you know a guy in the village called Ramsay?”
“Ramsay?” Beryl looked thoughtful. “No.”
“He was dating Wade’s last assistant, Mischa. Maybe you remember meeting her?”
“The last girl.” Her lips pursed. “Yes, I remember her.”
“Do you remember who her boyfriend was?”
“She was always with the Hart boy.” She shook her head. “Bad apple.”
“Which Hart boy?” I asked her. “Please, this is important. We think something may have happened to her. We need to talk to her.”
“You’re getting too close.” Beryl shook her head. “You should leave, Savannah. You shouldn’t get messed up in the Hart mess.”
“What do you know, Beryl, please tell me.”
“This is a small village, you know.” Her voice got lower. “My husband hunts, you know?”
“No, I didn’t know.” What did that have to do with anything?
“He sees things.” Her lips thinned. “Those Hart men have secrets they don’t want let out. All of them.”
“What secrets?”
“No.” She shook her head. “We don’t snitch in this town.”
“Can you at least tell me how I can find Ramsay? Please?” I pleaded with Beryl. “I need to know. I care about Wade and I need to know if...” My voice trailed off as it cracked with emotion. I didn’t really want to tell her everything, but I needed her to know how important it was for me to get all the information that I could.”
“All I can say is that there’s more than one master chef in this town.” She looked over to the door. “And now I must get back to work. I’m sorry my dear. I can’t help you anymore.”
“Okay, thanks.” I said despondently as she walked away. “I guess that’s it then.” I looked over at Lucy. “We’re done.”
“We could always go to the library and ask questions.” Lucy offered, but she knew that was a long shot. “Are there any classy restaurants in town? Maybe he’s a chef?”
“I guess we could check.” I shrugged.
“What else could her comment have meant? There’s more than one master chef in this town?”
“I don’t even know one, let alone a second one.” I let out a long deep sigh and rubbed my forehead. “Ugh, I’m starting to get a headache.”
“I’m so sorry, Savannah, though, I’m starting to think we should leave.”
“Why?”
“I’m thinking she basically told us that Henry or Wade was dating Mischa and her husband saw one of them killing her in the forest. It all adds up.” Lucy nodded. “Girl, think about it. I think she didn’t want to tell us outright, but she basically told us.”
“I was wondering why she was telling us her husband likes hunting.”
“Savannah, she told us that he saw something. It’s all adding up.” Lucy shivered. “We need to leave tonight. I’m not sure we’re safe. Well, I’m not sure that you’re safe.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You said Wade was pissed and then distant at your questioning? What if he’s planning something?”
“What do you mean? Planning what?”
“Not your engagement.” Lucy’s lips thinned. “We need to go home, pack, take Jolene on one last