Page 31 of Only One More Lie
Just then, the door flew open, and Ranger appeared, a questioning look on his face. Andi hadn’t even realized he and Simmy were back already after looking at the barn. She was surprised their paths hadn’t crossed.
“I thought I heard you guys out here.” Ranger squinted. “Were you locked out?”
His gaze followed theirs, and he glanced at the ground. His eyes widened when he saw the hand lying in the snow.
“What the . . . ?”
“It’s fake,” Duke quickly assured him.
“Someone either has a sick sense of humor or they want to send a message.” Ranger’s jaw hardened.
The rest of the gang appeared around Ranger, all gawking at the hand.
“That had to be placed on the door after we went inside.” Mariella wrinkled her nose with disgust. “It wasn’t there when we arrived.”
“I didn’t hear any unexpected visitors out here,” Simmy added.
Andi glanced above her, searching for any security cameras. But at places like this, security cameras could be seen as a breach of privacy. Guests didn’t like them.
Just as she suspected, none were within sight.
“We’re going to need to tell Juniper about this.” Andi shivered, suddenly realizing how cold her face felt, despite her surge of adrenaline. Her nose had gone numb already, and her lungs ached as the cold air filled them.
“Yes, we can see if she has any idea who might have done this,” Duke agreed.
“Do you think it was the killer?” Simmy’s voice came out just above a whisper. “Do you think he’s here still? That he hasn’t left the camp?”
“Which killer?” Andi’s throat burned as she asked the question. “The Burrows’ or Pepper’s? Or both?”
Her questions hung in the air.
Andi wanted to say that those things weren’t possibilities. But she knew better.
Anything was possible, especially when dealing with a killer with a warped mind.
“I don’t know who would have done this.” Juniper shook her head as she stared at the hand.
She’d come right over when they called. In the meantime, Duke had taken a plastic bag and placed the hand inside in case there was any evidence they needed to preserve.
Then they’d all moved into the living room, where Duke had set the bagged hand on the coffee table. Everyone had gathered around it to gawk some more.
“Is there anyone here on staff who’d see this as being a horrible joke?” Duke paced toward the door, on guard.
The person who’d left this could still be close—a thought Duke could hardly stomach.
“I want to say no.” Juniper swallowed hard and rubbed her throat as if the action hurt. “I mean, most people working here were pretty freaked out by what happened. Some wouldn’t even stay. They just quit on the spot and left because of the horror of it all. The ones who did stay were loyal.”
“Are any of your new hires fascinated with the macabre, by chance?” Andi was unable to sit still so she stood, occasionally pacing, near the couch.
Juniper thought a moment before shaking her head, a lost and almost dazed look in her eyes. “Not that I know of. I mean, if they are they haven’t made it obvious to me.”
“Do you do background checks on people before they’re hired?” Duke asked.
“I do. I don’t hire anyone with a criminal history.” Juniper sighed and brushed a hand through her hair. “This is just sick. I don’t know what else to say, and I’m so sorry you guys had to encounter this. What should we do? Call the police?”
“If it makes you feel better, this isn’t real blood,” Ranger shrugged nonchalantly.
“Are you sure?” Mariella’s voice trembled as she asked the question.