Everyone Has A Secret - Part 2: Everyone Has A Secret - 3 Book Series, #2

By TIFFANY ROYSTER

"Last night a body was found in the woods that appears to be highly decomposed. There were a few items found with the body that may indicate who the victim was. Foul play is suspected, so a murder investigation will take place. Anyone with any information should come forward to the police."

I read the article again and again, repeating the words in my head. Josette snatched the paper from my hand so fast I didn't have any time to react. I was startled by her actions. She began to cry, and I just froze like a deer in headlights. Knowing that this would come up some time, I was not ready for it just yet. Could this body that was found be Kingsley? Did Josette suspect anything? Is this why she is so upset? I had to think quickly and act quickly. I had to act like I know nothing.


Sophie and Josette hope to start a new life away from their past. Given an opportunity of a lifetime, the girls pack up their things and head off. One day, a knock at their door changes everything. Kingsley is missing and Sophie is number one on the police department's suspect list. Can Sophie convince Josette she had nothing to do with Kingsley's disappearance? Or is there more to the story than what she is telling. Soon, Josette realizes you can't always trust those around you. She is brought into a dangerous game that has no happy ending in sight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TIFFANY ROYSTER
• Release date: Jan 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201064815

TIFFANY ROYSTER

Tiffany Royster was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. Writing has always been her passion ever since she was a little girl. “Everyone Has A Secret” is her first self-published book in 2019, which is part of a series. Tiffany resides in Loves Park with her family. You can find her author Facebook page by searching Tiffany Royster – Self Published Author.

Book preview

Everyone

Has A Secret

Part 2

This book is dedicated to everyone who

enjoys what goes bump in the night.

CHAPTER ONE

The drive to Stonelake was something out of a travel catalog. Trees blanketed both sides of the roads, blending together as the car picked up speed. Light from the sun was so bright you would for sure go blind if you stared for too long. The air was crisp and felt nice on your face. Nature’s scent was much more inviting, and fresh than back at home. The road seemed to travel along a never-ending path, leading into the unknown. Josette and I were ecstatic to start their new lives in a place far away from the norm. After all of the events that took place the year before, a want for a drastic change had turned into a need. College would be starting for us to soon and I was more than ready. Do you ever come to a point in your life where you want to reinvent yourself? That is exactly how I am feeling right now.

My favorite song came on the radio and I turned the knob as far as it could go. The melody danced through my speakers and all around the car. I turned over to Josette, who was bobbing her head back and forth to the tune of the song and singing along. Her bright blue hair was pulled into a messy bun, swaying back and forth, bonking her in the head. We had a few more hours to go until we reached our new life. I’m surprised we haven’t gotten lost, even with the help of my GPS from my cell phone. I have never been good with directions. You tell me to go somewhere and I end up on the completely opposite side. As Josette retrieved her water bottle from the cup holder and took a drink there was a huge pothole. Unable to avoid the huge gaping indent in the road, I drove over it pretty hard and water splashed all over Josette’s face. She had this look of bewilderment that was so hilarious I started to crack up.

Hey! That wasn’t very funny. Josette said, trying not to laugh, while attempting to wipe herself off. The water had trickled down her face and into her tank top. Some of her drink even made it into her lap. I giggled at the mishap and Josette slapped me in the arm. You’re a jerk. She said to me playfully. There was still a lot of daylight left and the drive had been so beautiful. I haven’t felt this much peace in a very long time. Losing Elenore last year was the hardest thing I ever had to deal with. I still missed her every day and vowed to never stop trying to get her back. Too many times had I failed to succeed at what seemed to be impossible. I didn’t care though. I was not giving up. Not now. Not ever.

Doesn’t that cloud look like a cow? Josette asked, squinting her eyes quizzically at the sky. I tried to find this cow cloud that she spoke of and didn’t see anything.

How does a cloud look like a cow? What kind of drugs are you on? I asked her jokingly.

You have to use your imagination goof. See, like that one right there looks like a pirate ship. Josette exclaimed pointing off somewhere in the distance. I slapped my forehead in amazement at her comment. She never ceased to amaze me.

Whatever you say Jos. Whatever you say. I snickered.

During our drive we passed some cute farmhouses that were surrounded by fields of corn. Seems like the whole town was filled with farmers and cattle of all sorts. I always wondered what it would be like to work on a farm. The smell is not something I could get used to, but the animals made it seem bearable. I think I would look pretty adorable in some overalls and a flannel shirt. Even though I was more than ready for a new start, being away from my parents is going to be a challenge.

I need food in my life, Sophie. We should totally stop somewhere. Plus, my legs are starting to cramp up. I feel like I’m being squished like a bug. You know how much I hate bugs. Josette started to complain. I was amazed at the fact that she could eat like a horse and not gain any weight. Now me, if I even thought about food, I would magically gain ten pounds. I will never understand science or genetics. I was actually starting to get hungry myself.

There was a sign a little way back for some diner. We could check out the place and stretch our legs. I told her, looking in my rearview mirror and noticing a car behind us speeding into the next lane. The front bumper nearly missed the back of my car and I screamed out the window at the jerk driver. Josette about jumped out of her skin and slapped me on my shoulder. I just shook my head and laughed at her.

After a few more miles, we spotted this quaint little diner that had this comforting approach to it. There were a few cars in the parking lot, all old-fashioned type. I spotted this beautiful sky-blue car that had a white roof. The fact that cars that old lasted forever amazed me, considering these newer cars had more issues than a magazine. We pulled into the entrance and found a spot near the front entrance. There was a cute porch in the front with a wooden swing bench. I looked up at the sign up on the roof and read it. The name of the diner fit the scenery, Rosy Star Roadhouse.

I rolled up the car windows and turned the ignition off. Josette was already climbing out of the car before I had a chance to say anything to her. I guess she really was hungry, I laughed to myself. Grabbing my purse, I stepped out of the car and almost fell on my face. Thank goodness Josette didn’t see or I would never hear the end of it. I followed her into Rosy Star Roadhouse, trying to catch up.

As I looked around, I noticed that the place looked as inviting on the inside as it did on the outside. There were picnic tables lined up along each side of the walls. In the back of the diner was the counter and kitchen area. Off to the side, in another open room, was what seemed like a gift shop. After we are done eating, I decided I wanted to check the place out. You never know what you’ll find in places like these. On the wall behind the cash register was a frame that held a picture of an older couple. I wondered if there were the owners of the place.

Josette approached the front counter and started squinting at the menu board. I keep telling her she needs glasses, but any time the subject is mentioned she just brushes it off and mumbles nonsense. Rosy Star Roadhouse had all sorts of sandwiches and pies, homemade desserts, and delicious looking milkshakes. I didn’t realize just how hungry I was until I got a whiff of whatever was being cooked up in the back. I decided on a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake. Josette wanted to try the mushroom burger, onion rings, and strawberry milkshake.

How can you eat that crap? I asked Josette, scrunching up my nose at her.

Mushrooms are not crap. You should try them. Josette responded.

No thanks, anything that has the same texture as my tires does not seem appealing in the least. I told her, shaking my head. She just laughed and we walked over to one of the picnic tables.

I’ve never seen a place like this before. I said to Josette, scanning the whole place.

Things are surely different in this area. I kind of like it though. Everyone is too worried about making everything so modern. You have to put some heart and soul into a place. Now this, this diner has heart and soul. Josette said, with a mouthful of onion rings.

I cringed at her disgusting little habit, Can you at least finish chewing and swallowing your food before trying to converse with me? That’s so gross. In response, Josette stuck her tongue out at me, crunched up onion rings and all. I gagged and about threw up all over myself. Throwing a fry at her face, I told her to eat her food.

After we were done eating, we threw our garbage away and put our dishes on the wrack near the counter. I left a ten-dollar tip on the table and grabbed my purse. We walked over to the gift shop and looked around. There was a sweet older woman at the counter and I instantly recognized her from the photo in the diner area. She smiled brightly at us, and I nodded my head smiling back. Josette was off in a corner picking up little figurines from a shelf. I turned the other way and walked over to the jewelry section. There were so many pretty stones and shiny chains. I had enough jewelry and did not need anymore. Looking wouldn’t hurt though.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted this beautiful picture hanging on the wall. Turning to it, I noticed that it was a black and white photograph of the diner. I touched the edges of the frame as I examined the picture. I wasn’t so sure what it was about this place, but it felt like home. I took the frame off the wall and turned it around to see the price tag on the back. Twenty dollars was not too bad for this, I thought to myself. I held onto the frame and walked over to Josette, who was now distracted by a unique looking windchime. The top had a sun and moon, in silver. Light coming in through one of the windows was shining on the windchime in just the right spot. You could see the whole thing listening.

Isn’t this pretty? Josette asked, turning towards me. She held it in her hand so gracefully, as if she was afraid of breaking it. I really did like the windchime and thought it would look beautiful on our front porch. Though, now that I remember, I have never even seen our new house. I have no idea what it even looks like. All I have is an address and directions on how to get there. Josette’s aunt had left the property to her when she passed away. Josette remembers visiting the property when she was younger but couldn’t recall much of anything about the place.

We paid for the photo and windchime, then headed back to the car. Now that our bellies were full the drive ahead of us didn’t seem so bad. Road trips could sometimes be fun, as long as you have fun people with you. I put the key in the ignition and started the car, music blaring through the speakers and out the windows. A man standing outside quickly turned his head and glared at us. Josette and I looked at each other and giggled. We pulled out of the parking lot, leaving Rosy Star Roadhouse behind.

The rest of the drive didn’t seem to take as long as we anticipated. Turning down the music, I glanced at Josette who was staring at her phone. How much farther do we have? I asked her.

Um, it looks like... at the next road take a left. Josette responded.

I followed her directions and turned left at the next available road. As we drove down the dirt road, I saw even more trees and bushes. I nearly ran over a squirrel that was chasing a nut. The squirrel looked back at me, squeaked, and scurried off. I shook my head in amazement. I was beginning to get tired and restless from all this driving. Being in a cat for long periods of time will do that to me.

It wasn’t long before this big wooden house appeared at the end of the road. My mouth fell wide open as I took in what would be our new home. The yard was huge and beautiful, with big tall trees and bushes all over. The outside of the house gave off the impression of a log cabin. I could only imagine what it looked like on the inside. There was a porch in the front that circled the entire house. A swing bench was over to the left of the door, just like the diner. I instantly fell in love with the place. Not being able to believe this was our house, I blinked my eyes real hard, and double checked to make sure I was seeing things correctly. Yup, this was our new house.

You didn’t tell me this place was so amazing Jos! I exclaimed to her.

Josette laughed and shrugged her shoulders, I told you I didn’t remember much about it. Just that I used to visit when I was little. There’s a lake in the back too.

I turned to her, ‘What? Are you serious?"

Sure am, even comes with a boat. Nothing too fancy but all ours.

I smiled from ear to ear. I could not wait to get inside and start exploring. I didn’t even bother grabbing my bags from the trunk before running up to the front door and throwing it open. I stared in awe at everything around me. There was a huge staircase placed strategically in the middle of the room, with an open view railing. You could see the entire walkway of the upstairs. I went over to the left and found the kitchen. Everything was made of a dark polished wood and you could tell it was real. The smell was so distinct. The stove and fridge were more of the modern stainless-steel kind, but the way it was built the design didn’t look bad. There was a wooden island with pots hanging from above.

There were patio