Beautiful Elixir (Beautiful Oblivion #3) (19 page)

I give her hand a squeeze. “Then there’s the audio I’ve been sent.” I play the first voice recording—Kennedy’s confession to lying on the stand at her parents trial and she cringes. I play the second audio recording, which makes it sound as if she has it out for me, and now, it looks as if she wants to crawl into a hole.

Demi looks at Kennedy as if she were trying to figure out what species she belonged to.

This isn’t going over well.

Abel spins the laptop toward himself and replays the second audio at least a dozen times. “There are three distinct breaks. That’s a good sign of splicing. Not to mention that the first female voice is coated with more static than the second. Kennedy comes in muffled, but there’s no static scratching up her voice.”

Kennedy breathes a sigh of relief.

Peter helps us compile a database on each of Kennedy’s sorority sisters, then Abel and Gavin run a rudimentary search on them. It’s nothing short of a CIA spy lab in here.

Kennedy’s mother jumps up and puts on a pot of coffee while Demi and Kamryn become fast friends.

“Charlie Goodman is having a birthday this Saturday.” Abel taps the screen with his pen. His announcement lacks the usual enthusiasm that goes along with one of those celebratory events. “I suggest you throw her a party. Invite your sisters.”

“Who are you close to?” I shake my head at her, already discouraged the idea. Kennedy has almost eighty sisters.

“I don’t know. Just Charlie and Mel, I guess. The other girls are sort of my minions.” She wrinkles her nose at the thought, mostly because it’s true on some level. “It’s hard to be queen bee”—she cuts an ironic glance around the room—“disliked by many, yet loved by all.”

“What’s Mel’s last name?” Abel inquires, his fingers and eyes never leaving the keyboard.

“Williams, I think.”

“Are you sure it’s Williams? The search is coming up empty.” Gavin looks to Demi for a second. “Didn’t she introduce herself to us at the anniversary party? What did she say her last name was?”

“I think it was a little longer than Williams. Williamson?” Demi licks a spoon, and her eyes invert. I spot a jar of cookie butter on the counter behind her. It was a gift from Demi and Gavin for helping her win her case. Suffice it to say, she’s a fan of the stuff.

Peter shifts in his seat, tapping his finger in the air as if he’s just had an epiphany. “Could it be Williamsburg?”

“That’s it!” Demi points the spoon in his direction as if threatening a launch.

“I’m pretty sure it’s Williams.” Kennedy shakes her head. “In fact, I know it is. I stare at that damn in-house roster just about every week.”

“Nope.” Abel spins the laptop in my direction. “It’s Williamsburg.”

“Shit.” Peter’s face turns to ash. “See if her father’s name is—”

Abel cuts him off, “Bruce Williamsburg?”

Peter slams his palms over the table.

“Williamsburg?” Kamryn glances up in a panic. “I remember that case. Wasn’t he that guy you helped put away? Your client was the one who nailed Bruce’s ass to the wall. The only reason I remember it is because Bruce seemed innocent, and your client should have fried.”

Nobody says anything, nobody moves.

The room fills with the heavy scent of coffee—Kam’s phone goes off, a ridiculously happy song, before she switches it to silent.

Shit. “It looks as if we’re throwing a birthday party this Friday night.”

“And then what?” Kennedy looks genuinely afraid of this Melanie girl. In light of the facts, can’t say I blame her.

“And then you get her to incriminate herself.”

Abel nods to Peter. “We’ll talk to Keith.”

Demi comes over and offers Kennedy a hug. “Call Reese. We have a party to plan.”

F
riday night comes far too quickly
. Keith is coming to the party. Not only did this news blow my mind, but it should rattle Mel to say the least. Turns out, he was heavily sedated and turned up at Yeats. They found him in the basement of the biology building covered in filth, mumbling to himself. He’s spent the last week recovering in a detox center with no recollection of anything after we parted ways the night he went missing. I talked to Keith on the phone and shared the theory we have on Mel. Keith is more than a little pissed.

Caleb wraps his strong arms around me and buries a kiss into my neck as we stare down at the swelling crowd below.

“It’s almost show time. Reese and Ace are already there.” I point down to where the happy couple stands in an embrace much like this one. Reese has vowed to stay by my side all night. She couldn’t care less that I asked her not to. She said it would seem perfectly normal since we’re always together, since we’re sisters, and she’s right.

I spin to face Caleb and lose myself in the cool blue of his eyes.

“I want to have your babies one day.” My stomach pinches at the words that just flew from my lips. I mean it, true as God. This man is gorgeous inside and out.

“I’m ready when you are.” He lands a kiss to my lips and lingers.

“After law school. I think it’ll be good for the tiny tots to see their parents running a successful practice.” I bite down on my lip. “And, since we’re discussing the parenting portion of our relationship, I suppose that means you trust me. You no longer believe I’m the boldest liar in the universe?”

“I never thought that.” He plunges in with another kiss. “I thought you were the boldest beauty in the universe. Still do.” Caleb pierces into my mouth with his tongue, pressing the blooming hardness in his jeans over my stomach. “You’re right.” He readjusts himself. “We’d better get down there.”

The air outside is crisp, the storm passed, and we’re back to living in a frozen icebox, but that’s never stopped a good party at the lake. Demi and Gavin huddle with Neva and Warren. Zoey is knotted up between them, and, come to think of it, Neva looks as if she’s about to throat punch Zoey.

“Those girls seriously need to get laid and not by Warren,” I whisper.

Caleb’s chest rumbles against mine. “I’ve got a couple of brothers.”

The court declared a mistrial in Solomon’s case. Turns out his ex-girlfriend had already found herself another sucker, aka a boyfriend trying to gift her an alibi. Nevertheless, her trial will be underway soon. It’s getting twice the press coverage because of what the media has dubbed Solomon’s Sacrifice. Not sure what will become of Solomon, though.

“Well, look who’s here!” Reese lunges at me, her arms wrap tight around my body, and she gives an extra tight squeeze. “I’m glued to you tonight,” she whispers straight into my ear. “Don’t even think of getting rid of me.”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Ace offers a quick hug and knuckle bump to Caleb. “Where’s Gavin?”

“Down by the fire.” Caleb gives me a kiss. “Let’s head over.”

“Why don’t you guys go ahead. I think I’ll get twice as much action if my boy toy isn’t around.” I wink at Caleb. It’s true. I let Caleb know back at the cabin that Mel would only come around if I were alone or with other girls. Otherwise, she prefers to stalk from afar.

Mel. I still can’t believe that sweet, mousy girl could be responsible for so much mayhem.

“Speak of the devil!” A girl’s voice shrills from behind, and I turn to find Mel, herself, Charlie and Brylee with her. I’ve chosen to leave Bry in the dark. And, judging by the alcoholic breeze streaming from her lips, the Solo cup in her hand with a bubbling brew, it was a very wise move.

“What’s up, bitches?” I bump both Mel and Charlie hard with my hip. “Who’s the birthday slut?” I pull Charlie into a playful embrace. “How old are you now? Sixteen?”

“Very funny.” Her blonde head is crowned with a blinking tiara that reads
Birthday Princess
, and she’s accessorized with dozens of plastic beaded necklaces. “I’m none of your business from this point on. Isn’t that right?”

“You know it.” That’s exactly what I said at my last party. I give her hair a gentle tug. “And what’s new with you?” I swing my shoulder playfully into Mel. “Any hot guys on your radar? I feel like I’ve missed so much. I really can’t wait to get back to campus next semester.”

“Your throne awaits.” Charlie touches the top of my head with a scepter that seems to have miraculously appeared in her hand.

“Wow”—Mel muses—“you walk through a pile of shit, and you really do come out smelling like a rose.” She lifts a brow, and I can see the slight look of dissension on her face.

“Forget me. What’s school like? Were midterms tough? What’s going on with the frats? You guys still working the mixers?” The mixers were huge on campus. They were what Alpha Kappa lived for. Most likely still are.

“Oh, come on.” Brylee and Reese scoot into the conversation. “Why would you care about frat boys when you have a real man waiting for you on the lake? Rumor has it, you’re shacking up. Soon there might even be another McCarthy among us.” She holds up her left hand, gleefully mocking.

I glance to Mel and watch as her face glows an eerie shade of evil, a crimson rage with undertones of a jealous jade green. I’m guessing smearing the fact I’m oh-so-happy in her face is only adding fuel to the fire. I can’t figure out if this is a good thing or not.

“So are you in love?” She takes a sip from her cup. “You’re among friends, Ken. Go ahead—spill it.”

Reese steps into me, her chest heaving—never a good sign. Reese is famous for wearing her emotions on her sleeve, all of the good right along with the bad. Her lack of restraint doesn’t discriminate.

“Kennedy does deserve love. She deserves all of the happiness, all of the good things that go along with it. You hear me? This girl is amazing. She’s a kick ass sister and a kick ass friend!”

Crap. I crane my head into the crowd, momentarily tuning out my cheering section and come upon Kamryn. I shoot her a look and nod to Reese. Before I know it she’s front and center, pulling Reese over to help her meet a few of the local boys.

Brylee makes a face. “You know, I’m not sure, but I’d swear I just saw Keith down by the lake.”

“What?” Both Mel and I say in unison.

We gravitate in that direction, continuing our conversation about nothing in particular while Brylee fills us in on how much she misses hanging out with Reese full-time and wishes she could find her own Mister Right.

“Don’t we all,” Charlie mopes.

“Here we go.” Mel averts her eyes as Charlie starts in. “Before you dive into a pity party, might I remind you that you’re at a real party thrown in your honor? Brylee, get that girl back in the thick of things before she submerges herself into the lake. I’m serious. Or I’ll drown her myself.”

Brylee is quick to comply and pulls Charlie laughing all the way back to the crowd.

The night stills around us. For a brief moment, I feel safe around Mel. This is Melanie after all, the girl I’ve spent the last two years with eating ice cream out of the carton and watching marathon rom-coms until our eyes bled. Melanie and I shopped together, we went to concerts, we got shitfaced together, we even got high together after we had the entire house sign an I-choose-to-be-drug-free petition that the school pushed on us. Mel and I were a team. None of this twisted shit makes sense.

“Ken!” A loud male voice goes off like a bomb, and I spot Keith drudging along the shoreline, scissoring his hands over his head as he makes his way over.

“God.” I run down the sandy shore, traversing over old logs and stones. I have every inch of this lake memorized. I can make my way around here blindfolded if I had to.

My foot hooks on a branch, and I fly right into the waterline, face first into the icy spit of the lake.

“Crap,” I say, pushing myself up. Keith lends me a hand while Mel loses her shit, laughing herself into a hernia. It all feels so normal. A part of me wonders if we were swayed in the wrong direction. Mel can’t be the vicious snake we’ve painted her to be.

“Keith?” I touch his face to make sure he’s real. I’ve never really hated Keith. Ironic since I’ve never truly loved him either, but the thought of him being dead depressed the hell out of me. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” I wrap my arms around him, and it feels good, as if I’m simply hugging an old friend, a brother. An odd thought since we’re currently starring in at least ten different graphic videos that contest that
familial
theory. “I have to apologize to you again. This whole nightmare really is my fault.”

Mel takes a few steps in, her brows arching with curiosity. I clear my throat, making sure my voice has the ability to carry. I offer Keith’s side a firm squeeze and enlarge my eyes, praying he’ll play along.

“I wasn’t really honest with you.” I hold my voice steady. “I did everything, Keith. I not only uploaded the videos but that box of dildos? The erotic magazine subscription sent to your dad? The pizza with dead flies—the fire on the Dean’s lawn—you get the picture, it was me from the beginning. Do you forgive me? Maybe we can start over? Caleb and I sort of have an open relationship.”

Mel physically has steam coming from her ears. Her mouth hangs wide. Her eyes bulge unnaturally.

“You bet, babe.” Keith leans in and offers a thump of a kiss to my lips, and it takes everything in me not to reprimand him. I’m not willing to go that far to piss Mel off. By the looks of things, I’ve already tipped her sanity, not that it was stable to begin with. “Maybe we can hook up later?” He offers. “I got pretty hot watching those old home movies. You really know how to shake those peaches, baby.”

“What the hell am I hearing?” Mel explodes in a fit of rage. “Are you two shitting me?” She breaks out in a high-pitched giggle, like a fool—like a psychopath.

“Shut the hell up.” Keith drops his hands from my waist and twists into her. “You don’t get to talk to me.”

That’s it. The show is over. Keith never could control his temper.

“I don’t get to talk to you?” Her head ticks back a notch. “Who are you to talk to me that way?”

“I’m your worst nightmare, honey.” Keith takes a few even strides in her direction, but Melanie doesn’t flinch. “I know all about the fucked-up games you’ve been playing. You think you can screw with me?” Keith wraps his hands around her throat and gives a firm throttle.

I leap onto him, trying to claw his hands off her neck, but he’s staunch, strong, and as immovable as steel.

“You can’t do this, Keith! Don’t kill her! She’s not worth going to prison for!” I manage to pry her free as Melanie coughs herself back to life.

She spits dark fluid from her mouth and gives a deep laugh. “So you know.” Mel looks up, bloodied tracks running down either side of her chin like fangs. “Poor little rich bitches got toyed with. Boo fucking
hoo
! Kennedy is right. She loaded the videos—beat me by an hour—but she never had the balls to carry out the rest of it.” She glances to me, clutching at the divot in her throat as if it were her favorite pendant. “That’s what you have your house bitches for, isn’t that right?”

“I know who you are.” My chest heaves uncontrollably. My voice shakes with anger. Where the hell is Caleb? “I know what my father did to yours.”

“My father is innocent!” She leaps in my face, screaming. “Meanwhile, your father goes on to protect the assholes of the world and wins every single time! Your father took mine away. Honest to God, I couldn’t believe it the first time you told me who your father really was. It was during rush, but I suppose you don’t remember that. Why would you?”

“I do remember, Mel.” I needle into her eyes with mine, the hatred I have for her slowly melting to pity. “I remember because you are the only one I told.”

She winces as she gives an audible swallow. “You’re nothing but a shallow bitch who’s had the world given to her on a silver platter. I thought—what a fun game, take the platter away and see how she feels. Seeing you happy when I was so miserable was unacceptable. Your smile was acid thrown in my face. One by one, I bet drunk skanks that they couldn’t sleep with Keith Can’t-Keep-it-in-My-Pants Stearns, and, sure enough, he took every one of them up on their offer. And, even after catching him, you
still
wandered back! You’re so pathetic.” She gives me a hard shove, and I stagger back a few feet.

Keith puts his body between us to ensure it won’t happen again.

“And then I made a game of pinning all of those petty grievances on you.” She gives a dark laugh. “The fun was just beginning.”

“How did you drug me?” Keith demands.

“Roofie. Oh come on, Keith, don’t look so surprised. It’s bought and sold right in your dorm as easy as a dime bag. I drove you down the mountain and rolled you into the biology building like a log. Nobody cares about you, Keith, certainly not me. But you”—she reverts her attention to me. Her wicked soul is fully revealed by the light of the pale witness in the sky—“it seems you can do no wrong.” She throws her hands up in the air. “Honest to God, the more shit I smeared on you, the more our sisters flocked to you like flies. You are their queen, and you can walk on water.” Her hand digs into the back of her jeans, and she pulls out a small pink capsule before spraying a jet stream of liquid into Keith’s eyes.

He lets out a harrowing howl, staggering while doubled over in pain. “Shit!”

Melanie pounces on me like a cat and lands me on my back, my head ricocheting off the knife end of a rock.

A dull choking sound emits from my throat as Mel and I begin to thrash our way into the lake. My body goes instantly numb as she plunges us into the frozen shallow end. My limbs hook around hers as I struggle to break free from her stronghold. Her hands rip from my shoulders to my face as she holds me firmly under water.

Panic. Can’t breathe. Every cell in my body is begging for respite. Her grip remains staunch, and I let out a cry, nothing but bubbles riding around my face in a fury as the world fades to gray.

My body writhes and struggles. My head pulsates like a bomb.