My stomach twisted. “So that means…”
Now I knew why Adam was in danger. Why they all were.
“Yes, Maddy, it means someone either knew or found out where Ron was buried, and, whoever that person is, they’ve dug up the grave.”
Chapter Seventeen
Adam and I parked in an out-of-the-way space at the far end of the building, opposite the side where the office was located. It was imperative we stay far, far away from the potentially prying eyes of the desk clerk at Fowler’s.
The lights glowed in the little office, but the motel looked otherwise deserted. Even so, I was thankful nighttime had descended, especially when we exited the vehicle and began to creep along the side of the building.
“Maddy, come on,” Adam urged when I slowed next to room number eleven.
I almost couldn’t believe that I now knew the story of what had happened in that room. I was no Ami fan, but I still felt sorrowful thinking of what she’d endured at the hands of Helena’s evil stepfather. I was sure it hadn’t helped Ami’s fragile mental state in the long run. But sad as it was, there was no time to linger. Adam stood waiting, and I quickly fell back in line behind him.
When we reached the narrow trail that winded into the woods, I noticed the shovel I’d seen on my first visit was still propped up against the maintenance shed. But not for long. Adam, noticing it himself, snatched it up as we walked by.
We began to trek through the thick, wooded land behind the motel, and I reached for his free hand. “How far do we need to go?” I asked, following in his marshy footsteps that were illuminated by the silvery glow of a high, full moon.
We came upon a fallen tree, and Adam, turning to help me climb over, said, “It’s just a little farther.”
So he said, but it actually turned out to be a lot farther. Holding tight to Adam’s hand, we ambled through the dark woods, going deeper and deeper into the forest. It seemed I jumped each time there was a noise, but my skittishness barely registered with Adam, he was that intently focused.
At last we reached a clearing, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “This is it,” Adam said softly.
Everything was so silent, so still. I glanced around. The clearing was nothing more than a squared-off section in the forest. It looked as if some sort of a gas line had once run through the area, but the metal posts marking it lay rusted on the ground.
Adam led me away from the fallen gas line markers, over to where the woods began again. As we approached, he faltered. “What?” I asked nervously.
He released my hand and dropped the shovel. Adam swore profusely under his breath. I was about to ask what was wrong, but then I saw what had him so distraught.
Near the tree line was a large hole in the ground, dirt piled up on either side.
“Oh my God!” I exclaimed as it dawned on me that this must have been where the body was buried…or rather, where the body had been buried. Because the gaping hole in the ground was clearly empty.
“This just…can’t be,” Adam murmured, walking right up to the very edge.
This was unbelievable. Not only had the grave been dug up and opened, but Ron Mifflin’s body was gone.
I reached out to steady myself on something—anything—and my palm brushed up against a lone tree at the head of the empty grave. As I glanced from the tree to the hole in the ground, I remembered the tree and crater sketch Ami had drawn in what turned out to be Helena’s journal. There was an uncanny likeness to the scene before me. Perhaps the crater was never a crater, but an empty grave instead. This empty grave.
“Oh no,” I suddenly blurted. “Ami must have done this.” Adam’s head jerked up, and I pushed off from the tree. “I saw her drawing a picture during one of my visits. It looked far too much like this for it to have been a coincidence. She did this, Adam, I know it.”
His eyes widened, and he looked a little disturbed to hear the revelation regarding the drawing, but, to my surprise, he shook his head. “No, Maddy, I don’t think she did.”
“How can you say that?” I asked, somewhat incredulously. “Ami had Ron’s wallet in her possession. She probably sent that gold band, too. And this is where she got those things.” I flailed a hand to the empty grave. “And let’s not forget she stayed here when she was pretending to be missing. She’s the only one who could have done this.” I was pretty worked up, and I paused to take a breath. “Hell, it’s like Nate what said, she’s the only one sick enough to do this.”
I stepped toward Adam, but he turned away. Was he even listening? I grabbed his arm. “Adam, do you hear what I’m saying? It had to be Ami.”
“What if it’s not?” he shot back, spinning to face me.
What was he thinking?
“Who else would do this?” I implored. “Nobody knows this grave is here, besides the four of you. And Chelsea. But she’s dead.”
“Let me ask you something, Madeleine…” he began. “Doesn’t it strike you as odd that Ami would go to the trouble of digging up the wallet, and then turn around and ask J.T. to throw it in the ocean? Why take it from the grave in the first place? And why send Helena’s mom the wedding band? What purpose would that serve for Ami?” I shrugged. I had no idea. “But most puzzling—if we’re to believe Ami did dig
