The Murders of Cozy Hollow

Chapter 10 - Missing Girls

Kurt drove the Suburban into the pool parking lot with Rex upfront and Willow and the twins nestled in back. Another carefree day at the pool awaited them. Rex was anxious to talk to Willow one-on-one about Skullman. While still freaked out about his encounter and nervous to return to the pool, he realized that he now had something to bond over with Willow. Kurt remained focused on Abby and Ally as the kids walked onto the busy pool deck. It was another scorcher outside.

Willow went inside to use the restroom. Rex waited for her near the first aid station. Sitting in a deck chair manning the station was Chrissy Swanson, the lifeguard Rex had approached in her chair the day before.

"Did you find the man in the woods you were looking for yesterday?" asked Chrissy while seated in her red one piece swimsuit and blue tinted aviator sunglasses.

Rex turned around, unsure if the lifeguard was talking to him or not.

"I'm sorry," said Rex. "Were you talking to me?"

"I saw you run into the woods yesterday."

Rex recognized Chrissy but did not know how he should answer. He felt more embarrassed than anything. She probably thought he was a nut job.

"No, I'm not sure what I saw. It was stupid."

"Was it a man in a suit?"

"What? You saw him too?"

"I didn't see him yesterday when you asked, but I've seen him before at the edge of the woods."

Chrissy now had Rex's undivided attention.

"What did he look like?"

"He was bald. I shouldn't say this as a lifeguard, but I have bad eyes so I didn't really get a good look at his face."

"Did you tell anyone?"

"I told my boss, Mister Grimes, the pool manager. He went looking for him in the woods a few days ago but didn't see anybody. I thought maybe I was crazy."

"You're not crazy."

"Who's not crazy?" said Willow, who'd walked up to Rex. "Hey Chrissy."

"Hey Willow."

"I see you've met my new neighbor, Rex Stone."

"Hi Rex, I'm Chrissy by the way."

"Chrissy saw him too," Rex said to Willow. "The other day. Right out there. Same spot I saw him."

Willow's face went serious.

"We'd better not talk about this around so many people. Maybe we can talk later, Chrissy?"

"Sure," said Chrissy. "What's your cell number? I'll come find you guys on my break."

***

Ed had been so relieved to find Will at the cemetery, he didn't even get mad at his youngest son. Will apologized profusely for wandering off but Ed let it go on the condition that Will never did it again. He'd scared the hell out of his father. Luckily, Sally Salt had seen Will walk past the office towards the church and told Ed which direction his son had walked off.

After spending some time at the Beaumont family plot, Ed took Will to the Loon Cafe for lunch. They were seated at a window booth in the back. Will ordered a burger and Ed decided to try the fish & chips.

"It's hard to believe the same girls found buried in our house are now under those headstones," said Ed.

"It's really sad," said Will. "But now I know all their names and how old they were. Emma was almost my age."