“Maybe,” I say even though something about it doesn’t feel quite right. “But I know my mother was having an affair with your father,” I remind him, and I dig my mother’s notebook out of my backpack. I show him the page with the initials on it.

B. C.—Figure out how to end it!!!

“Fuck,” Cole says when I shine my phone light onto the page. It’s the first time he’s actually seen it. “In a million years, I’d never have believed he’d cheat on my mom. It’s too risky.”

“My dad confirmed it,” I say. “He said she wasn’t coming home. That she’d met someone. And that had to be your dad.”

The scent of lavender drifts into my nose again. I look down toward the trailer, and a shadow moves across the window. “But I think maybe George was in love with her, too,” I say. “And he gives me the creeps. The way he—”

“Avril.” Cole’s eyes flash. Bright and angry. “Did George say something to you? Or do something?” I hesitate. “Because if he has, you need to tell my mom. There was some trouble with one of the girls a few years ago. If he—” Cole stops. Gives his head a shake. “My mom made it clear she wouldn’t put up with that. He’ll be out of here.”

The irony of that is hard to miss. Willa probably has no idea what people say about her own husband. Nobody would have the nerve to tell her.

“It’s nothing,” I tell him. But I keep thinking of the way George touched my hair. The way he looks at me. I don’t want him gone, though. If there’s a chance he really had something to do with what happened all those years ago, the last thing I want is for him to disappear right now.

“I don’t believe my dad’s a murderer, Avril. I can’t believe that.” Cole’s eyes are on fire. They burn with a promise. “But I’ll help you figure this out. No matter what the answer ends up being.”

He walks me back to the cabin and kisses me good night. But he doesn’t head toward the cabin next door. He just settles onto the front steps and leans against the railing. And I know he’ll be there until morning. Staring out into the fog.

Keeping watch.