The Secrets of Lake Road

Small town politics sucked, and Jo was reminded why she avoided such meetings. She hated public debates and narrow-minded people. But she was here because she had to know if there was any news about the bones. She had to know if they were in fact Billy’s. She could hear Kevin’s voice inside her head telling her it didn’t matter whose bones they were, to get out of there, to leave the lake. But he had to know she couldn’t. Her guilt wouldn’t let her.

She took the seat next to Gram and scanned the crowd, concerned she might see Billy’s sister, Dee Dee. About thirty people gathered. She recognized each and every one of their faces, locals and seasonal cabin owners. Much to her relief, Billy’s sister wasn’t among them.

Heil took his position at the front of the room. He held up his hand and, like obedient children, they quieted in their seats and waited for the next command.

“We all know why we’re here. Tragedy, I tell you. And no one is more upset about this than I am.”

The people nodded and murmured in agreement.

Heil pulled his pants up high to cover his large belly. He rolled onto the balls of his feet in a power bounce. “But we must make a living in spite of what has happened here.”

“Are you planning on opening the Pavilion and beach tomorrow?” one of the cabin owners asked.

“Of course he is.” Jonathan spoke for Heil. “I’ve got renters who expect the full vacation experience on the lake, and that includes the beach and swimming. Hell, that’s all they’re here for.”

“He’s right,” someone said from the back of the room.

The crowd started talking at once. Jo tried to follow the outbursts, catching bits and pieces. “Besides, it’s gruesome, all this waiting around, watching them drag the bottom looking for that little girl’s body.”

“What’s taking so long?”

“Why can’t they find her?”

“And those poor parents, having to wait.”

“It’s not our fault. Why should we be punished?”

“We’re paying to swim and fish.”

“That mother should’ve kept a better watch on her kid.”

“You can’t blame the mother.”

“Why not? Where was she?”

“It was an accident.”

“Tragedy.”

“We’re losing money.”

“What about the bones?”

“Yeah, I heard they found some bones.”

“All right,” Heil said. “Everyone, calm down.”

Sheriff Borg stood and put on his sheriff’s hat. He rapped his knuckles twice on the table. The action caused the mob to settle down.

“Law enforcement is looking into the bones.” Heil shot the sheriff a look, and the sheriff nodded. “But that’s not our immediate concern. What we need to focus on is the business at hand.” He continued. “And that’s finding that little girl and getting the beach and lake reopened. What we need is to speak to the recovery team.”

“That’s right,” a woman from the corner bar piped in.

Heil turned to Stimpy. “Get out there and bring one of them fellows in. I have an idea.”

Excitement buzzed around the room. Everyone wanted to move forward, for summer vacations to continue as planned as if nothing bad had happened. The community at the lake, the locals and regular summer vacationers, had been through this kind of thing before. Tragic, yes, but no one sitting in Eddie’s bar ever thought it could happen to them, to their family, to their child. You never thought it could happen to you.

Gram sat perfectly still. Jo’s own spine was rigid, although her foot wagged at a ridiculous pace.

One of the men from underwater recovery climbed the stairs and entered the bar. He was average height with dark brown hair and eyes. He wore a black T-shirt and jeans. A yellow safety vest was strapped to his chest. He carried a matching yellow hardhat. He scanned the crowd of people, and by the time he finished, he was scowling.

Heil slapped his hand on the man’s shoulder and turned to his co-conspirators to quiet them down. All eyes focused on the two men.

“We have no doubt you’re doing everything you can,” Heil explained, sounding much like a politician. “But it’s over twenty-four hours that we’ve had the lake and beach closed. People pay for the lake experience. They expect to take their boats on the water and fish. Families expect their kids to swim.”

“I understand,” the man said. “We’re working as fast as we can.” He then added, “For the little girl and her parents.”

“Yes, for the girl and her parents,” Heil said. “But I have an idea that may help both the lake community and the family to move things along.”

“I’m listening,” the man said.

“Now, keep an open mind. She’s dead. We all know she’s dead. No one can survive underwater for an entire day and night.” Heil looked around for consent. “So what I’m proposing is a sure way to recover the girl. Although it may seem gruesome, I assure you it’s not. Not really. It’s practical. It’s using our very own resources, and it won’t cost the taxpayers or community any money.” He paused, a pleased expression on his face. “It’s free.”

“What is it?” someone asked from the crowd.

Another shouted, “I know what you’re suggesting.”

A woman said, “I don’t understand. What is he talking about?”