Chapter 23

• As Marie neared the ancient boathouse, her heels crunched on the gravel road, with Dave standing silently to her right. The smell of briny water permeated the air, and the waning light created elongated shadows that stretched between the trees.
• She was able to make out the tall, imposing shape of Lena waiting by the weathered door, with an unidentified person waiting right behind her.
• Lena's voice cut through the silence, "Ah, Marie," a twisted smile playing on her lips. "How touching to see you brought your lapdog along."