These Deadly Words

These Deadly WordsNichole HeydenburgPoisoned Ink Press LLC Copyright © 2023 Nichole HeydenburgPoisoned Ink Press LLCAll Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.Contact Information: [email protected] Design: Stone Ridge BooksEditors: BlackQuill EditingThree Owls EditingISBN 978-1-7349015-8-0 (eBook)ISBN 978-1-7349015-9-7 (paperback)This book is a work of fiction. All characters, incidents, names, and places are utilized fictitiously or are the product of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, events, or businesses is completely coincidental. Dedicated to my wonderfully supportive parents, Steve and MichelleFor always believing in me, pushing me to follow my dreams,and never telling me that being an author was an unrealistic goal.I love you both! Contents Title PageCopyrightDedicationOther Books by Nichole HeydenburgPrologueChapter 1: LeahChapter 2: CamilleChapter 3: LeahChapter 4: CamilleChapter 5: LeahChapter 6: CamilleChapter 7: LeahChapter 8: CamilleChapter 9: LeahChapter 10: CamilleChapter 11: LeahChapter 12: CamilleChapter 13: LeahChapter 14: CamilleChapter 15: LeahChapter 16: CamilleChapter 17: LeahChapter 18: LeahChapter 19: CamilleChapter 20: LeahChapter 21: CamilleChapter 22: LeahChapter 23: CamilleChapter 24: LeahChapter 25: CamilleChapter 26: LeahChapter 27: CamilleChapter 28: LeahChapter 29: CamilleChapter 30: LeahChapter 31: CamilleChapter 32: LeahChapter 33: CamilleChapter 34: LeahChapter 35: CamilleChapter 36: LeahChapter 37: CamilleChapter 38: CamilleChapter 39: LeahChapter 40: CamilleChapter 41: LeahChapter 42: LeahChapter 43: LeahChapter 44: LeahEpilogueNote from the AuthorAcknowledgementsSubscribeAbout The Author Other Books by Nichole HeydenburgThe Long Shadow on the Stage- Book 1 in The Long Shadow Thriller SeriesThe Long Shadow of Memory- Book 2 in The Long Shadow Thriller SeriesThe Long Shadow of Death- Book 3 in The Long Shadow Thriller SeriesThe Quiet Girl- A standalone young adult thriller book PrologueMarch 1988Raindrops fell harshly against the umbrella, adding to the dreariness of the funeral. Leah squeezed her boyfriend’s hand, huddling closer to him. Vincent gripped her hand, like he was holding on for dear life. And in a way, he was. The rain splashed around them as they stood in front of the casket being lowered into the ground.The smooth mahogany was reflective in the rain. Leah wore the only suitable outfit that she had for a funeral—a simple black A-line dress her mom had bought her several years ago. She paired it with black flats, and a silk headband held back her normally untidy light brown bangs. Vincent looked handsome in a black dress shirt and slacks with his flowing chestnut-brown hair tied back into his usual ponytail.Not many people had shown up at Vincent’s dad’s funeral. Leah had convinced her twin sister, Ava, to attend the service with Noah, Ava’s boyfriend. A few of Vincent’s dad’s friends were there, and some of Leah’s and Vincent’s friends from school had shown up briefly. But everyone had left once it started downpouring. It was as if God himself was mourning the unfair death of a person who had been ripped from the earth too soon. Now it was only the two of them with the pastor and pallbearers.With their high school graduation only a few weeks away, it was a terrible time for Vincent to lose his dad—not Chapter 1: LeahApril 1988The snowstorm bombarded the woods, leaving them trapped in the mountains of Asheville, unable to find their tent or their van. The harsh wind whipped around Leah, causing her silky brunette hair to swirl around her face, obscuring her view even further. Everywhere she turned her head, all she saw was glistening white. She held an arm in front of her face and braced herself against the howling wind, reaching out for Vincent with her other arm. His comforting hand found hers. Their fingers laced together as they had so many times over the past three years.A hand suddenly gripped her shoulder from behind, startling her. She turned around to see that Ava and Noah had caught up to them. They could barely see a few feet in any direction, so it was a miracle they hadn’t lost each other. Ava clutched Leah’s shoulder as they continued walking, with Vincent leading their group through the woods.It was nearly the end of April, so they hadn’t expected a blizzard to interrupt their cross-country camping trip. They had driven all the way to Asheville, North Carolina from Michigan in Vincent’s van. The four of them had planned on staying several more days before heading back to the Midwest, but the sudden onslaught of snow had drastically altered their plans.Earlier in the day, Leah had woken up to Vincent’s forced cheery mood, suggesting they spend the day hiking.