“We know Dad was in town the weekend Russell died. Do you think he could’ve been inside Mom and Russell’s house?”
“I suppose it’s possible. But why?”
Millie ran up to them, Owen toddling after her. Her niece’s knit cap was so loose it was now dangling from her ponytail. Owen’s scarf had ridden up almost to his forehead. They were in need of a drink and snack, so Natasha extracted both from her enormous mommy tote bag. In under three minutes, the kids ran off again, Owen protecting several multicolored Goldfish inside his chubby fist.
“We know that Mom and Russell’s sister discovered Russell’s body when they came home from an evening Bible study,” Genevieve said. “What if Dad was with them when they walked in? They find Russell, and Dad steps in and turns the body over, straightening it.”
“He must have known touching the body would disrupt the evidence.”
“He would have been rattled though, right? Not thinking clearly?”
Natasha made a doubtful sound.
The kids’ voices carried on the air as Millie situated Owen on the slide in front of her. They slid down together.
“Also,” Natasha said, “what would Dad have been doing at a Bible study?”
“Maybe Mom and her sister-in-law stopped somewhere after Bible study, ran into Dad, and Mom invited him to come by the house.”
“If that were the case, why didn’t Mom and her sister-in-law tell that to the police and the reporters?”
Genevieve rubbed her thumb against the sharp edge of her coffee cup’s lid. “I don’t know.” She let the possibilities descend through her like sand through water.
“I think we need to sit down with Mom and Dad, tell them everything we know, and force them to have an honest conversation.”
Genevieve’s soul shriveled at the prospect. “When?”
“I’d say tomorrow, but we’re going to the kids’ preschool autumn festival tomorrow.”
“And I’m working at the farm’s Fall Fun Day.”
“Let’s do it Sunday after church.”
Both Genevieve’s and Natasha’s phones chimed at the same time, signaling incoming text messages.
They checked their phones.
Ben had sent them a group text.Sebastian was in a car accident this morning. He has a nasty concussion, and the doctors want tohold him overnight for observation and additional scans. They thinkhe’s going to be fine.
“Oh man,” Genevieve whispered. Her body had leapt into alarm mode when she’d read the first words of Ben’s message.Her fingers flew over the screen’s keyboard. Natasha, too, tapped her phone.
Is he in Atlanta?Natasha texted.
Thank God he’s okay, Genevieve responded.
In seconds, Ben’s response came through.He flew to Misty River this morning. He’s at General.
Is the concussion his only injury?Natasha asked.
Yes. I’m thankful that his injuries aren’t worse. His car’s totaled.
“I’ll drive over to General,” Genevieve said, “and check on him.”
Late the next afternoon, Sam’s sixth sense picked up a change in the atmosphere of his barn.
Gen was here.
He straightened from checking the oil on his tractor and turned toward the open barn doors.
