Hidden Vices by C.J. Carpenter Page B

idea that someone had just tried to ice her—literally—fueled her Irish temper. “You fucking asshole!”
    Jake held her back. “What? What happened? I just came to check on the bubbler system.”
    Even with how unnerved Megan was at the moment, she could tell by the sheer shocked look on his face that Jake was not the person who tossed her in. “Did you see anyone?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œDid you see anyone?” Megan stumbled over to the doors and flung them open. “Someone threw me in.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about? I just walked in and you were in the water. There’s no one here. It’s icy, you gotta watch it.” He stared at her as if she was crazy, and for a moment Megan thought she was too—until she saw the burlap sack floating in the water.
    â€œThe lights.” Megan pointed to the front of the boathouse with a shaking arm. “They weren’t on. I came down to check on the lights. The wires were cut.”
    â€œWhat?” Jake went to the power box to inspect the wires and found them neatly cut, as had Megan. He looked around at the adjoining properties; there was not a soul to be found. “Were the lights working last night?”
    In between hard coughs, she said, “Yes. Someone pulled that sack over my head, and then I was in the water.”
    Jake used a rod to fish the sack out and flopped it on the dock. “I’m in this boathouse all the time, and I’ve never seen this in here.” Jake stood up and looked at Megan. “Jeez, you’ve got rope burns on your neck. You need to see a doctor. We should call the police.”
    Megan stared out over Lake Hopatcong, desolate and freezing. “I am the police,” she answered.
    â€œGod, I wasn’t even planning on stopping in. I happened to be checking on another boathouse, so that’s why I’m here. You better get out of those clothes. You could catch pneumonia. Are you okay?” Jake looked chagrined for his dismissive attitude earlier.
    â€œYes, I’m fine!”
    He raised his eyebrows at her. “I think now is the time you say thank you.”
    Megan opened the gate to the yard. “Thank you!” She slipped and slid the entire walk up to the house, entering through the lower level. She pulled off her soaked attire in the laundry room. It took longer than usual since she couldn’t stop shaking. She put on sweats and a warm sweater, not that she thought she’d ever feel warm again. She was about to sit when a knock sounded at the back door.
    This douche bag doesn’t take a hint. She swung open the door. “What—do—you—want?”
    â€œI just wanted to tell you I need to go back and get wires. I’ll have it fixed in an hour or so.” The gate to the deck creaked. Jake turned to see who had arrived. “Hey, Callie. How are ya, man?” The two men greeted one another with a handshake.
    â€œHey, what’s up?” Callie looked to Megan. “Woah, what happened to you?”
    Megan was gob-smacked. “Wait, you know this guy?”
    Jake asked, “You know her ?”
    â€œJake and I have known one another since we were kids. Trouble—uh, Megan —and I know one another from college. What happened?”
    Jake looked at Megan. “Tell him what you told me.”
    Megan was angry Jake brought it up. Embarrassment had set in as soon as she’d gotten in the warm house. “Someone came up behind me and threw me in the water.”
    â€œYou’re kind of forgetting a few big points in this story.” Jake looked at Callie. “I need to go get some wires and fix the lights on the boathouse. I’ll be back in a bit. I’ll stop by for a beer soon, we’ll get caught up.”
    Callie answered, “Sounds good,” but didn’t take his eyes off Megan and the redness around her neck.
    Megan motioned for Callie to come in. “I need to get in