I hesitated.
She let out a wet gasp, shuddered a breath, and then said, “Ignore me. I’m just a mess.” That, she was. “It’s just that there are a lot of volunteers here who don’t like Keke. They all think I favor her, that I put her first, but it’s not that at all. I mean, do I have a weak spot for her? Of course I do. She and Bailey mean a lot to me. But when it comes to the charity, I try to separate that, you know? But Keke, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, likes to hover. She doesn’t believe in keeping the distance, and I don’t want her to think I’m purposely trying to avoid her, so I just let it happen.”
“I understand.”
“The police came to the hospital. Talked to me.” She swallowed. “They asked me things about Keke, if she may have had any enemies at the camp, or gotten into an argument with anyone. I lied. I told them everything was fine, and that I was sure it was an accident, but . . . I don’t know. Something in my gut is telling me this was no accident—that someone had it out for her. But . . . why would they do something like this? Try to kill her? I mean . . . I just don’t get that. Keke can be obnoxious and self-absorbed at times, but she’s a good person. She has a good heart. And oh God, Bailey,” she cried, throwing her head back and squeezing her eyes shut. “Keke’s mother came with Bailey to the hospital and the poor girl didn’t even know what was going on. I mean, can you imagine a sweet four-year-old girl not having her mother? Bailey is the one who relies on Keke the most. Without her, she’d be motherless.”
I lowered my gaze to focus on the rug. If I hadn’t known any better, Marriott, I would think Lola was trying to guilt-trip me, but Lola knew nothing. She thought I was good. Nice. And to be fair, I only wanted to hurt Keke and send her off, not kill her. Her being in my way wasn’t that serious.
“Lying to the cops was a stupid move, but it had to be done. To protect my charity. This event. Everything I’ve worked for. It’s better if it looks like an accident.”
“But if your gut is telling you that someone did this, how will you be able to sleep knowing that they’re probably here under our noses?” I questioned with a voice full of concern.
Lola took a long drink, and I admit I was laying it on pretty thick. I mean, why would the person who pushed Keke ask such a question? Oh right, because they would never. This was the way I could lower Lola’s suspicions of me the most. By allowing her to think I was terrified, afraid for my life.
“So, what are you saying? That I should go to the police? Tell the truth? That would ruin the charity, Ivy. It would ruin the event. You’re the only person I have told this to, okay? I can’t have this kind of news leaking out, so if it does, I’ll know who they’ve heard it from, but I’m trusting you. I trust that you’ll keep this between us. Won’t you?”
“I don’t know, Lola. I mean, yes, you can trust me, and I won’t say a thing, but after telling me this, I’m a little worried about staying at this camp.”
“Ivy, sweetie . . . please don’t worry.” Lola briefly closed her eyes and then opened them again. I noticed a small tic at her jaw. “I’ll take care of this. For our sake, let’s agree that Keke fell—that this was an accident. No one here knows Keke as well as I do, but for her safety and ours, we’ll just let this blow over. I’ll have security keep an extra eye out and, unfortunately, turn the cameras back on. The rangers will be doing double patrols. Everything will be fine.” She drank the last gulp of her wine and then pushed off the bed, going to the cart again.
As she filled her cup, I couldn’t help thinking that this was exactly what she did while under pressure. She drowned her stress with wine and pretended everything was okay, even though things were definitely not okay. Where did she learn that? Who taught her how to ignore her issues and blanket them with alcohol?
Lola wasn’t confrontational, and I knew that, but seeing as she was so quick to put the whole Keke conspiracy to bed just for her own peace of mind proved to me only one thing.
She was a very selfish woman, and I had every right to continue ruining her fucking life.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Lola visited Keke every day after the accident. I mean of course she did. Keke was hurt and she felt sorry for her and Bailey. Not only that, but she felt a threat was at the camp . . . only she couldn’t say anything because she wanted to keep the situation under wraps and her reputation intact. Selfish, selfish woman she was, Marriott. You can’t tell me I was wrong about her.