A deadly cover-up. A haunted house. Returning home might be the last thing she ever does.

It’s after midnight by the time we pull up to the road leading to the long-abandoned house.

The street is exactly as I remember it—well-kept with the enormous homes spread out far from each other. Many are tucked so far back, they can’t be seen from the road.

My family’s house was the first built and is the last on the long street. It’s not hidden from view, but its immense backyard stretches farther than I was allowed to explore as a child.

I pull into the driveway. The structure looms in front of us. Growing up, I rarely had friends over because I was embarrassed by the size.

“It looks haunted,” my niece whispers.

“That’s because it’s dark outside and hasn’t been taken care of. All it needs is some TLC. But we’ll worry about that later. Let’s just get everything inside, then we’ll be free of Richard.” I rub my temples, trying to get rid of the headache that came back after reuniting with him.

“Can’t wait for that.” Ember opens her door.

I dig through my purse for the keychain and stare at the home before getting out. Old memories run through my mind, just as dusty as everything inside must be.

Richard slams his truck’s driver side door. “Let’s get this over with.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

He glares at me.

All I want to do is sleep. But that’s going to be a long time coming.

I march up the cracked walkway and try to ignore the overgrown lawn. As I get closer to the house, I notice peeling paint and thick layers of grime. It’s going to take more work than I imagined, and this is just the outside.

The top lock struggles against the key from so many years of disuse. After a few jiggles, it relents and unlocks. Then

I repeat the process with the lock on the knob. It twists, and I open the door. It creaks in protest.

Out of habit, I reach for the light switch. But then I realize this place is probably without power. Doesn’t sound like anyone has been here since my parents lived here.

But the moment I flip the switch, light flickers on. Nearly all the furniture is covered, and the cloth is caked in dust.

The floor is covered with old muddy footprints that will surely be challenging to get off. The large curved staircase in front of us is exactly as I remember it, though dusty, with its polished wood and ornate wooden railing. I remember running my hands over the carvings countless times as a child.

“You can stare later,” Richard snaps. “Help me get your stuff inside.”

Clearly, he’s as eager to be rid of us as we are of him.

Once his truck is empty, he wipes his hands on his pants. “See you at the funeral. Natasha will be in touch with the details.”

“Are you kidding me?” I press the door so he can’t shut it. “You’re going to plan it without Ember? Me? We’re Claire’s blood.”

“And I’m the husband. I’m in charge.” He slams the door, barely giving me time to jump out of the way.

“I hate him,” Ember mutters as he drives away.

“Can’t say I blame you, especially if he’s always like that.” I remote lock the car and put my arm around her. “Let’s get settled. I’ll call Natasha tomorrow and see if she can’t at least let you help with the memorial.”

Ember shrugs.

I guide her inside and close the door behind us. A small plume of dust puffs out.

We make our way up the creaky stairs. I don’t recall them being so noisy. It sends a shiver down my spine, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

I silently chastise myself for being so creeped out. It’s the house I grew up in. Nothing more. It just needs some love.

Ember stops, and I nearly run into her.

“You okay?”

She looks around. “Did you hear that?”

I listen, only hearing our breathing. “Hear what?”

“I’m not sure. But it was something.”

“Like I said before, probably rodents. Nobody’s been here in a long time.”

Without a word, we make our way to the second floor.

CONTINUE READING…

THE PERFECT DEATH

A deadly cover-up. A haunted house. Returning home might be the last thing she ever does.

Kenzi Bannon left her painful childhood behind for the glitz and glamour of California. But when her estranged sister commits suicide, she’s forced to return to her abandoned family house. Unexpectedly made guardian to her grieving teenaged niece, Kenzi becomes increasingly convinced her sister’s death was murder.

Devastated by shocking evidence proving Kenzi’s theory, the pair scour the ramshackle house for clues. But when eerie sounds echo through the hallways and the real killer comes after them, she must work fast to unmask the true culprit.

Can Kenzi and her niece get justice for her sister before they follow her into an early grave?

Read today: THE PERFECT DEATH