Chapter 2: The morning began at seven-thirty, with the comforting smell of a full breakfast spread filling the kitchen of the cottage. On the counter, an assortment of freshly baked muffins, bagels, pastries, yogurt, and oatmeal was laid out, along with a large urn of coffee. Grateful for the warmth, I poured myself a cup before stepping out onto the porch. There, my sister, Tammy, sat in a robe, sipping tea as she took in the serene sunrise over the calm lake. Our conversation was light and easy, with Tammy expressing her joy after having a conversation with Errol Gardner, an affluent and somewhat intimidating figure she had always known. To her surprise, he turned out to be much more approachable than she had expected. He even offered to teach her foster daughter, Abigail, how to water-ski, which Tammy took as a gesture of genuine generosity amid the often pompous atmosphere of high-society gatherings.

As we enjoyed our breakfast together, I casually mentioned that Errol had also offered to find me a “companion.” Tammy, always quick with a teasing remark, joked that Errol must know some attractive widows. I brushed it off, replying that I was much more interested in spending quality time with my daughter, Maggie, and her family rather than entertaining the idea of a romantic match. It was then that Abigail, still in her mismatched pajamas and scratching away at herself, wandered into the room. Tammy’s quick response to the sight of Abigail’s discomfort was to inspect her closely and confirm that Abigail had lice. The remedy she insisted on using—mayonnaise—filled the air with a strange odor as she worked it into Abigail’s hair. As much as I tried not to show it, I found myself appalled by the smell, but at the same time, I had to focus on the fact that I was already running late for my planned canoe ride with Maggie.

Having to put my discomfort aside, I declined Abigail’s eager request to join us, explaining that I had prioritized time with Maggie and her mother for the day. After exchanging a few brief words of reassurance with Tammy and Abigail, I promised to take Abigail out later once the lice situation was taken care of. When I finally met Maggie, she handed me a cup of coffee as a surprise. We launched the canoe into the lake, heading toward Cormorant Point, a scenic spot where a group of campers had gathered for lunch. As we paddled, my thoughts kept returning to Aidan, Maggie’s fiancé, and the troubling dynamics I had noticed in their relationship. I couldn’t help but feel increasingly concerned, especially with my past experiences and the troubling behavior I had witnessed in Aidan’s family. Although Abigail had to stay behind due to her lice issue, Maggie assured me that her mother, Catherine, was there to take care of her, offering me some comfort. Still, my worries about Aidan and his influence on Maggie refused to fade.

Despite my growing unease, Maggie continued to brush off my concerns, urging me to focus on the beautiful adventure we were experiencing instead. But as we continued to paddle, the sense of discomfort I felt only intensified. When we returned to Osprey Lodge, the festive mood that had accompanied our trip quickly dissipated. A group of guests was waiting for us near the shore, but something felt off. As we approached, the urgency in the air was palpable. Guards were wading toward us, signaling for us to dock immediately. Something was wrong, and the feeling intensified as we finally docked. The scene that awaited us was unsettling—there, floating lifeless in the water, was a body. The peaceful morning had vanished, and a sense of dread took its place. Maggie and I exchanged worried glances, knowing that this discovery would change everything. The carefree atmosphere we had been enjoying just moments ago was now shattered, replaced by a deep unease that lingered in the air.