Ruby at the Lake House

Ruby was inside the lake house.

Elise knew before she heard her because the kitchen light flickered once, twice, then went dark. Ruby had learned warning language from rooms where shouting cost too much.

Theo touched Elise's arm and pointed to the side porch. A window there had never latched right. Elise had used it at seventeen to sneak out after Vivian locked the car keys away.

"Police wait?" Theo whispered.

Elise heard a muffled cry inside.

"No."

He looked furious and followed her anyway.

The window opened with one careful push. Elise climbed into the mudroom, shoulder screaming. Theo came after her and closed it behind them.

The lake house smelled of damp wood and old smoke. From the great room came Martin's voice.

"You were always going to disappoint her, Ruby. Vivian collected damaged women and called it justice."

Ruby answered, voice thin. "She collected proof too."

Elise moved to the doorway.

Martin stood by the fireplace with a metal binder box at his feet. Ruby sat in a chair, wrists tied with curtain cord. Mara had not lied. The offsite binder existed.

Martin held a lighter.

"Where is the passphrase copy?" he asked.

Ruby spat at him. It missed.

Elise stepped into the room. "You always need women to sign, speak, or bleed for you."

Martin turned slowly. He did not look surprised. "Elise. I wondered whether rage or vanity would bring you first."

Theo came in behind her. "Police are outside."

"No," Martin said. "Police are ten minutes out because Roslyn Meyers is excellent but understaffed."

Elise kept her eyes on the lighter. "Put it down."

"This binder tells an ugly story. Vivian's story. Mine, yes, but hers too. Are you ready to learn your mother built the machine before I improved it?"

Ruby shook her head at Elise, frantic.

Martin smiled. "She did not tell you that part?"

Then the front door opened.

June stepped in from the rain.

"Tell me," she said.