The Edens, #1
Indigo Ridge
by Devney Perry
Contents
Chapter 21
Overview
Griffin panics when Winslow goes missing, triggering a search that leads him and Walter to neighbor Frank. Frank drunkenly admits secret sexual relationships with Lily and Harmony but denies killing them. He suggests Rain is responsible and implies Winslow was targeted for asking questions, raising the stakes as Rain disappears.
Summary
Griffin grows increasingly anxious when Winslow misses dinner and ignores repeated calls. After checking with his family and finding no news, he drives to town. Winslow’s house and the station are empty, but her SUV sits outside Walter’s home, where Walter says she left hours earlier to meet Griffin.
As they prepare to search, a crash from neighbor Frank Nigel’s dark garage draws them over. Frank appears intoxicated and evasive, hurling hostility at Griffin and rambling. When pressed by Walter, Frank blurts that “the girls” were only about sex, implying secret affairs with Lily Green and Harmony Hardt.
Walter and Griffin physically confront Frank, demanding to know Winslow’s whereabouts. Frank insists he never hurt the girls but admits to clandestine hotel meetings. He says Winslow “shouldn’t have asked so many questions,” heightening Griffin’s fear that she’s been harmed.
Noticing Rain Nigel’s Jeep missing, Walter tries calling her. Frank continues babbling, saying he told “her” not to do it this time because Winslow was too smart. When Griffin presses him to clarify, Frank whispers that he meant Rain, implicating Rain in the prior deaths and in Winslow’s disappearance.
Who Appears
- Griffin EdenRancher and Winn’s partner; initiates the search when she goes missing and confronts Frank.
- Walter “Covie” CovingtonWinn’s grandfather; joins Griffin, interrogates Frank, and tries to reach Rain.
- Frank NigelNeighbor; drunk and panicked, admits secret sex with Lily and Harmony, implicates Rain.
- Rain NigelFrank’s partner; absent with her Jeep gone, implicated in the girls’ deaths and Winn’s disappearance.
- Winslow “Winn” CovingtonPolice chief; missing after investigating Frank and Rain, likely abducted for probing questions.
- Eloise EdenGriffin’s sister; potential information source Griffin calls while searching for Winn.
- Griffin’s fatherFielded Griffin’s concern calls; offers to make inquiries but stays offstage.