“That means he went back,” Kate said.
“To that dear, innocent girl,” Sara said.
“I’ve often thought thathewas the reason Cheryl and her mother left town.”
But Cheryl and her mother didn’t leave, Kate realized as they stared quietly at the shadows made by the fallen tree. They had been killed, then irreverently and cruelly dumped into the ground behind their house. A tree was planted over them, hiding all evidence that they had ever existed. No one had discovered them for twenty years. Worse was that no one had even tried to find them. Except for an eleven-year-old boy who was patted on the head and told to forget about a girl he’d grown to love.
“Do you think that Roy—” Kate couldn’t finish her sentence. Was it possible that Jack’s father had murdered Cheryl and her mother? For that matter,wasthe second skeleton the mother?
Jack said, “I think—” but cut himself off. In front of them appeared three flashlight beams heading for the tree roots. Young voices came to them.
“Kids,” Jack muttered, then grabbed his crutches and disappeared behind the big branches toward the beams.
Sara and Kate were left sitting on the porch. “Thank you,” Sara said. “No one has been able to get through to Jack since Evan died. His mother and I’ve tried, but he is one stubborn boy.”
“It’s the same with my mother. Ever since my father died, she’s been grieving.” She hesitated. “I’d like to hear about my father.”
“Sure,” Sara said.
Kate waited but she said nothing else. “Was he—?”
Jack appeared out of the dark. “Flynn told his wife about the skeletons, she called every person she knows and now the whole damn town is planning to come see them tonight. They’re bringing coolers full of beer. Like it’s some kind of party.”
“They’ll want to take souvenirs,” Sara said. “Small bones that they think no one will miss.”
Jack took his cell out of his pocket and quick-dialed a number. “Gary? So you’ve heard. I want your entire team over here immediately.” He listened. “Yes. All of them, and bring the dogs. I want barriers set up, and put up those big motion-detector lights, too. As many as you have. That all? Send someone to buy some more, but I wantyouhere fast. Yeah, I’ll pay time and a half.”
Jack put his phone back into his pocket and looked at Kate. “Gary heads the security team I use for my construction jobs. He’s on his way, and his men will be here soon with barriers and whatever else they need.” Jack left as fast as he could, wanting to meet Gary at the front as soon as he arrived. And he needed to send any other gawkers away.
Sara got up. “This has been a long day. Do you mind if we postpone talking about Randal until a less hectic time? I’m pretty worn-out right now.”
“Of course.” Kate stood up. “I have to be at work at eight tomorrow morning, so I need to get some rest, too.”
They heard the crunch of gravel, headlights appeared, then they heard Jack talking to someone.
“Do you know how to drive a pickup?” Sara asked.
“Yes.”
Sara took Kate’s arm and leaned on it. “I think Jack will want to stay here. After all his soul-baring to two women, I think he needs men and dogs and all things male.”
Kate smiled. “Probably so. Personally, I could use a meal, a hot shower and a couple of episodes ofMadam Secretary.”
Sara laughed. “Me, too. Let’s go home.”
Kate liked the sound of that word.
FIVE
When Kate arrived at the real estate office the next morning, there were a dozen reporters waiting for her, all of them firing questions.
“How many bodies were there?”
“Was it a massacre?”
“Murder or suicide?”
“How long have you known Jack Wyatt? Was he involved in the crime?”
