Summer Shack

By Kelli Sue Landon

It's summer vacation and Deborah Walker invites childhood friend, Kimberly Foster, to stay in her parents' cottage retreat in Wisconsin. Deb's goal is to film a documentary of the area as a pre-college project. Shortly after arriving, they hear the news that a serial killer, dubbed The Lighthouse Killer, has been arrested. Deb's plans for the film soon change as curiosity takes over. She wants to be the first person to film inside the killer's shack, which is where he stashed the bodies. They are successful in making their way into the shack on the beach, but will they make it out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelli Sue Landon
• Release date: Sep 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310330100

Kelli Sue Landon

Kelli Sue Landon is a mystery novelist and short story author. She is from Peoria, IL and works for the U.S. Postal Service. Her published novels include Sudden Moves, Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood, Summer Shack (A Killer Vacation) and Stranded in Time. Influences: Janet Evanovich, Mary Higgins Clark, Stephen King and Linwood Barclay.

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Summer Shack

A Killer Vacation

Kelli Sue Landon

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 by Kelli Sue Landon

All rights reserved.

Print ISBN: 1499202822

Print ISBN 13: 978-1499202823

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Epilogue

Chapter 1

It was supposed to be the summer of a lifetime. High school graduation was the goal we had waited on our whole lives. Being eighteen and venturing out into the real world was something I was looking forward to. I had goals, and I’d made it a point to fulfill each and every one from here on out. I worked hard. So, when Deborah asked me to join her on a summer vacation up north at her family’s retreat, I thought why not? It would be just like old times. Like when we used to have sleepovers and take trips to the movie theater. Only this time we’d be away from our parents and able to go anywhere we wanted. We could stay up late and not have to be home at a certain time. Eighteen means no curfew!

Well, are you girls all ready to go? Deborah’s dad, Steven, asked us after closing the hood of Deb’s car. I found it strange to be riding in a car with our luggage in the front.

Yep, she answered from the driver’s seat. We’re all ready!

Keep an eye on her, Kimberly, he said to me through her open window. She can be hard to handle.

Dad! Deb laughed, lightly slapping him on his arm. We’ll be partying with the guys every night. Oh, and drinking beer. Let’s not leave that out!

He chuckled. Funny. Remember to wear your seat belts, call when you get there, and lock up at night.

Come on, Dad, I know the drill. I’ve been to the cottage every summer. Don’t worry!

At that time, Deborah’s mother, Joan, ran up to her window and gave her a hug, kissing her cheek without letting go.

Okay, Mom! Deb said, pulling away and straightening up her hair in the review mirror.

Love you, she said.

Yeah, love you too. Deb’s eyes were on the mirror as she fiddled with her hair.

Remember what I said, Steven said.

Dad! I know! Just chill out; I got this!

See you later, Mr. and Mrs. Walker, I called, waving to them.

Stop that, Joan said, it’s Joan and Mr. Walker.

Funny, Mom! Deb said. And we’re off!

Steven and Joan waved to us as Deb backed out of the driveway in her pink Volkswagen Bug. I just knew we were going to stand out when we got up to Wisconsin.

So, Deb said, reaching over my knees to her glove compartment, this cottage is perfect for us. We can stay up late and order pizza from the place across the street.

Yeah, you told me that, I said, eyeing the road as Deb fumbled for something in the glove compartment.

You need me to get something? I asked.

Nope. There, got it. She took out a pack of cigarettes. I’m dying for one. Couldn’t wait to get outta there.

Deborah! I said. When did you start smoking?

She shrugged, lighting one. I dunno, you want one?

No, I said. I was so happy when my dad finally quit.

This trip is the best graduation gift ever! she said, blowing out smoke.

Not compared to this car! I said, dreaming about having a nice car one day. I had a used Oldsmobile my dad got from a friend. Or a Tassimo, I added.

Deb laughed, bringing on a cough. Oh yeah, I forgot you drink coffee.

Coffee is better than this cigarette you are smoking, I thought.

You hung around at our coffee bar a lot during lunch, she said. Well, now where we’re going, there are plenty of cappuccino cafés you will love.

I nodded. I figured Deb would be telling me about everything in Door County. Her parents had bought a cottage retreat not far from the beach a few years back. Deb would go on summer trips with her parents and, being an only child, they let her bring one friend with her every year. They would spend about a month away from home. I was never invited to go. It had hurt a little, but I never really expected to be invited on a trip with Deb’s family although we had been friends all through grade school. We loved riding our bikes, ordering in pizza, and going to the movies. We enjoyed movies so much that Deb borrowed her dad’s video camera to make short documentaries about our lives. The films were so bad with her acting like a newscaster and me running around with a shaky camera, sometimes falling or bopping my head on a low branch.

When we hit high school, things started to change. She merged with the more popular crowd, trying out for cheerleading, the pom-pom squad, and even singing in the chorus.

As for my family, my father worked second shift as a security guard. Mom took off and left us shortly after my ten-year-old brother Kenny was born and I was just completing second grade. We had a helping hand with our aunt Sara, who took care of us. When I got older, I took over the household, preparing dinner for myself and Kenny as well as helping him with homework and seeing him off to bed. I felt like the adult in the family. I escaped by immersing myself in books, studying as much as I could. During my sophomore year, I became interested in cooking, hoping to learn different dishes instead of making the same old thing every night. I took the classes offered at school. I adjusted well, already knowing the basics from home, so I breezed through all the lessons. When I cooked, I forgot about Deb and her friends. I forgot about my mother leaving. It relieved stress, and now I wanted so bad to make it a career. When I had a problem, Dad would always say, Shake off the crumbs, Kim. That put my mind in perspective, concentrating on my future. My goal was to have a career that I could be happy with, so cooking was it. Deb, on the other hand, had never lost sight of film. She wanted to continue that childhood dream and pursue it in college.

So, I have plenty of memory in Dad’s camera, she said as we headed north. I have been dying to do a piece on the area.

Really? I asked. Wisconsin didn’t seem the type of place Deb would want to film.

Well, yeah! she said as if it were so obvious to the world. The shopping is wonderful! Not only that, we can take advantage of the beach every day, and of course the fair!

The fair? I asked, even more interested. Like amusement park rides?

I knew you would like that! You were always into those roller coasters. I, on the other hand, will not go on one, so you may have to fend for yourself.

Chicken! I said as we giggled.

Deb invited me on this trip because she called me the brains of our projects. Projects that fell by the wayside years ago when she stopped hanging around me. I didn’t hold it against her. I jumped at the chance for a trip since I had never been on one. I also tried my best to take steps with forgiveness, as Dad and I had learned in our support group, so I thought this experience would help me.

We continued north as Deborah talked more about the town, the people, and what she planned to do with the documentary.

I think it will help me with my future, she said, lighting another cigarette. You know, with filming the town residents, businesses, and then promoting it. Door County would love a documentary featured by a vacationer. It would help them bring in more tourists.

I nodded, grabbing a soda from the backseat.

Hey, could you get me a Diet Sprite too?

Sure, I said.

If you wanna stop at McDonald’s, let me know. I just want a snack wrap though. I gotta remain thin if I’m going to be on camera.

I rolled my eyes as I put her soda into the drink holder.

We stopped once for food and gas, then continued into Wisconsin. I eyed the welcome sign and had a surge of homesickness as I left the state of Illinois for the first time in my life.

You okay? Deb asked, as if she could read my mind.

I nodded. Yeah, of course!

Good! Get ready for the time of your life, Kim! I will make you have a good time, even if I have to get on a roller coaster!

Really? I asked, amazed. You want me to have fun that bad?

Okay, well maybe not that bad!

We laughed, sang to the radio, which changed stations from area to area, and talked about what was on our agenda for the next month in Wisconsin. The ride flew by. It didn’t seem like six hours had passed.

As Deb drove up a hill, a small area of cottages came into view on the left. They looked like country homes with patio furniture arranged on porches. The homes were white with light-blue shutters. Flowerboxes were nestled under the windows with multicolored flowers lined up as if to welcome us.

Wow! I said. Who does the maintenance here? The lawn is so green, and what about the flowers? Are they real?

Deb laughed, pulling up to one of the homes. Yeah, they have routine maintenance workers who take care of the grounds.

Maid service too? I asked.

No, we’re not that high and mighty. Everything is covered inside, so we’ll have to take all the sheets off. Mom hates dust. There’s a washer and dryer in the basement. Dad brought our old set up here after buying the new one.

I was wondering if we would be going to the Laundromat.

No way! she said, as if toting clothes to a laundry facility was beneath her.

We got out and retrieved our bags.

You brought a lot for a month, Deb said.

Two bags! I told her, one suitcase in each hand. It’s a month! I need clothes.

Kim, we shop!

It was easy for her to say that. I didn’t have her money. Her parents gave her their credit card before we left. I opted for cash. Dad told me to have fun and made a withdrawal in traveler’s checks.

I like shopping, but didn’t wanna depend on it for clothes to wear.

She laughed as we headed up the steps to her summer house.

Nice! I said, eyeing the patio furniture up close. Love wicker furniture.

Oh, this old thing? she said, pointing to a loveseat. It was my grandmother’s.

Wow, looks new.

She opened the door as I followed her into the house. Here we are! she said.

I dropped my bags and looked around. The decor reminded me of a cabin. Wood paneling with a small fireplace straight ahead. To the right was a small kitchenette featuring a bar area for cooking. Cooking always came to mind when I observed a kitchen. Counter space was the key for a good experience in the kitchen. A round glass dining table was just outside the kitchenette with a big centerpiece candle, covered with clear plastic. Above our heads were vaulted ceilings and a couple of fans.

We’ll need to open the windows, Deb said. It smells old in here.

Old? I asked.

Yeah, not musty or fresh, so old, which is in between.

Okay, I said, not familiar with that term for a smell. I don’t notice it.

She walked over to the window above the sink and opened it. We can take our bags to the bedrooms.

I peered out the window, which overlooked a big yard with other cottages. They all looked alike.

Are there other people who vacation up here?

Yeah, she said, leading me to my room, which was really hers. It was a small room with a twin bed, a dresser, and a closet with a sliding door. I really liked that there was a bathroom attached.

I’m gonna stay in Mom and Dad’s room, she said, taking a bottle of air freshener from her purse and spraying the buttercream-colored bedspread.

Great! I said, glad that I had a room to myself.

Without stopping at her room, we headed back out to the living room and uncovered the furniture. A couch, recliner, and armchair, all in solid taupe.

It’s kinda plain, Deb said, gathering up the sheets. Just gonna throw these in the closet. We’ll deal with them later. She opened the closet in the living room and threw them in with one toss.

Okay, I said, planting myself on the couch and looking at the flat-screen television. The moment of silence seemed awkward, so I pointed to the television. That’s nice.

Oh yeah, it would be better on the wall. Wanna get something to eat?

Sure, I said, surprised at her sudden urge to leave.

We don’t have food here, so we get to grocery shop! First we can eat at Dorie’s Dash.

Sounds like a car, I said, making a joke.

She forced a laugh, but I could tell she didn’t think it was funny.