The Killer Fix

Chapter 9

The Clemens' Long Island estate, a colonial style mansion overlooking Cold Spring Harbor, has been the venue for the family's Christmas party for many years. 

The last time Riley was here, she was eighteen years old and in her senior year at Carlton Prep. Even though she has always loved this place, she couldn't bring herself to come back here in the time she spend separated from her family. 

But things are different now, and last month in a moment of weakness she agreed to her mother's proposal to return. It's out of the way and secluded, thus the perfect place to escape from a killer hovering over her. Even if it's just for a little while. 

Bryn turns the car onto the private lane towards the estate, leading through the woods to a large wrought iron gate. Once the mansion comes into view Riley is repelled back into memories of her childhood here. The first twelve years of her life she lived in this house, attending elementary school at a safe distance from the city. Her parents wanted her and Carrie to have a peaceful childhood, so they didn't move to the penthouse until they transferred to Carlton Prep. This meant that for a year Riley lived here with their mother while Carrie had already moved to the city to stay with their father. Those first twelve years Riley never really wondered why her parents lived separately for most of her life. It wasn't until she was older that she realized her parents' marriage was just for appearances. 

After parking the car and grabbing their luggage, they make their way to the large wooden front door, peering through the little stained glass windows into the warmly lit hallway. 

'Get a load of this place.' Sofia exclaims once they're inside. 

'You've been here before, haven't you?' Bryn enquires. 

'Sure, for the annual Christmas party, but it never seizes to amaze me how in-your-face rich the Clemens' are.' Sofia explains. 

'And it never ceases to amaze me how much my father likes to show it off.' Riley adds, immediately annoyed at the thought. 

She drops her bag by the white marble staircase and gazes into the living room. 'Mom?' As she walks through the hallway and into the kitchen she sees no sign of her mother. 'Mom!' Then she spots the note on the kitchen counter. 

'What is it?' Bryn asks, having followed her. 

'She's gone.' Feeling let down but not surprised Riley drops the note in the trash. 'She went to the city, work emergency.' 

Sofia settles on one of the bar-stools. 'When will she be back?' 

'Who knows... We'll probably be lucky if we see her at all this weekend.' 

As Riley turns to the coffee machine Sofia reaches for her phone. 'That sounds like the perfect situation to take advantage of.' 

'What do you mean?' Bryn joins Sofia at the counter as she sneaks a look at Sofia's phone. 

'Come on, this huge place all to ourselves?' Sofia hints. 

'Sof, we are not throwing a party tonight.' Bryn protests. 

'Not a party, just a little get-together.' 

Riley places two cups of coffee in front of them as she leans on the counter. 'What did you have in mind?' 

Sofia smiles. 'I'm texting the guys right now.'

Two hours later, with the sky darkening above them, Sofia welcomes the joining group into the mansion. Bryn is in the living room picking out some music while Riley is standing by the window, gazing out over the harbor. The white forest lining the shore illuminates the night sky. Riley finds herself wondering if she regrets coming out here, uncertain if the memories flooding back make her feel sad or happy. Maybe a little of both.