The Sibyl Page 17

The Black Hollow Murder House looked exactly like it did in the picture. In fact, without its horrible nickname or history, it was a house I could see myself settling down in one day. Bay windows gleamed in the sun. The black shutters contrasted nicely against the outside’s white paint. It was far enough from the road to block out any noise from passing cars. Not that there were many cars driving past it. This place was out in the middle of nowhere.

  “Welcome to Black Hollow!” A chubby woman decked out in full Victorian regalia stepped off the front porch. She grabbed for Elliot’s hand to shake it with a warm smile. “You must be Elliot and Eva. I’m Joanna. So nice to be able to put a face with the voice I’ve been talking to on the phone.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too.” Elliot returned her shake. “Is Joey Lawson here already? Has he talked to you about the interview?”

  “Yes. I believe I’ve talked to him. Your people have been here since 9 this morning, setting everything up. Several of them made sure to tell me what I needed to say.”

  “We need you to tell us the truth.” I spoke up as I moved away from the car to stand by Elliot’s side. “Otherwise, this is never going to work.”

  “The truth?” Joanna smiled. “Well, now. What fun is that?”

  “We don’t need fun.” I glanced at Elliot. “In order for our evidence to speak for itself, we have got to know the whole story. This is where you come in.”

  “I was teasing, my dear.” Joanna’s friendly smile had turned cold. She must have decided that Elliot was more to her liking because she took him by the arm and led him inside. I was left outside alone with Cyrus, tempted not to follow them inside.

  “Hey, McRayne!”

  The man I recognized as Joey Lawson had opened the front door with a large black camera slung over his shoulder. “You coming?”

  “Yeah.” I allowed myself one last moment of peace before I climbed up the stairs after him. “I’m coming.”