The Dead Lake

THE DEAD LAKE DETECTIVE REBECCA ELLIS BOOK 3 ROBIN MAHLE Published by Inkubator Books www.inkubatorbooks.com Copyright © 2023 by Robin Mahle Robin Mahle has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work. ISBN (eBook): 978-1-83756-205-3 ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-83756-206-0 ISBN (Hardback): 978-1-83756-207-7 THE DEAD LAKE is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. CONTENTS Inkubator Books 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 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Inkubator Newsletter We hope you enjoyed this book About the Author Also by Robin Mahle JOIN THE INKUBATOR MAILING LIST You will be the first to learn about new releases plus the many FREE and discounted Kindle books we offer! bit.ly/3fPBwVA 1 The graduating class of Pinedale High gathered around the banks of Pushaw Lake for their annual end-of-spring-break tradition. The lake’s campgrounds and recreational offerings couldn’t compete with typical beach destinations. Maine temperatures hardly reached above fifty degrees at this time of year. And the lake was cold enough to bring on hypothermia within a few minutes. But that never stopped the kids of Pinedale. Not for several years running. The lake shimmered in the fading sunlight with the fiery hues of the horizon. Gentle ripples in the water reflected the light like broken glass drifting on the surface. Campfires burned for warmth, and the teens carried on, holding red plastic cups filled with cheap beer. Tonight’s host and outspoken MC, Keegan Mills, stepped on a nearby boulder. President of the student council, the tall, broad-shouldered young man carried an air of confidence. With a mop top of brown curls, his bright blue eyes gleamed as he scanned the crowd. He zipped a gray hoodie over his T-shirt and shorts as he prepared to speak. “All right. We all know what time it is.” Hoots and hollers echoed among the raucous crowd of seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds. Some dressed in swimwear beneath their oversized sweatshirts and hoodies, mostly in protest of the chilly temperature. Perhaps an attempt to defy Mother Nature by pretending they stood on a warm Florida beach. Keegan gestured to quiet them. “All right. All right. Let’s get started.” He looked at his associate, Breanne. “Do you have the hat?” “I do.” The popular star of the volleyball team wore a summer dress with her boyfriend’s large sweatshirt over top. She approached Keegan with a baseball cap in her hand. “Here you go.” Keegan reached into the hat and retrieved a slip of paper. “And the first contestant is…” He paused for dramatic effect. “Anthony Mitchell!” The crowd exploded with cheers and whistles as the captain of the baseball team stepped forward with his hand raised. The tall and muscular athlete waved at his classmates. “Put me in, Coach,” he shouted with a smile that accentuated his strong, square jaw. “Okay, don’t everyone get too excited. We still have one more contestant,” Keegan pressed. “You all know the rules. One boy and one girl compete for the prize money.” He looked to Breanne. “Bring me the other hat, please.” She presented it to him with a twirl. “Here it is.” A dip into the second hat and he retrieved another slip of paper. “And this year’s senior class female competitor is…Carly Stone!” A few rumbles sounded among the crowd. Everyone knew Anthony and Carly were currently an item, and it seemed a dubious coincidence. “Come on, now!” Keegan began. “Let’s hear it for Carly!” He clapped until finally the rest of the students joined in. Carly Stone wasn’t like Anthony’s previous girlfriends. And the relationship had always been unlikely. Reserved, highly intelligent, and the debate team champion, her accomplishments were academic rather than athletic. Just about the opposite of most of the kids here tonight. They were the popular ones. She stepped forward, tucking her long blond hair behind her ear, keeping an eye on the ground as she did. Her classmates offered a subdued round of applause. “Nobody wants me to do this, Anthony,” she whispered to him. He placed his arm around her shoulder. “Screw them. We got this.” “Let’s get started!” Keegan jumped down from the boulder and sauntered toward the contestants. “Anthony, Carly, you know the rules. Feet and hands must be bound, and whoever can keep their head above water the longest will be declared the winner. If you get tired or cold, and you need help, call out for it. Last man—or woman—swimming is the winner.” He clapped his hands and turned to the crowd. “While they get help with the ropes, everyone, raise your cups. Here’s to this year’s graduating class of Pinedale High! Let’s end spring break with a bang!” A few feet away, Anthony sat on a log next to Carly and helped her tie her hands together. “You’re sure you want to do this? You can still back out. There’s no shame in it.” She raised a brow, appearing to simulate confidence. “Are you afraid you might lose to a girl?” “No, it’s not that…” he stammered. “It’s just, I work out every day, and I’m a strong swimmer. I do ice baths. I mean, that water’s cold. And I know this isn’t your thing.” “It is my thing,” she shot back. “But it’s weird that we were both chosen, right?” “Maybe a little. Everyone else thought it was kind of weird, you could tell. But hey, when one of us loses, we still win, right? Because we can split the money.” “You’re the