“If necessary. What kind of camera?” Kate demanded. “Where and how were they developed? When were they taken? There ought to be a way of figuring some of that out. It’s better than sitting here being scared, isn’t it? Snap your backbone in place, Jo Ellen.”
“I just want it to go away.”
“Thenmakeit go away,” Kate said fiercely. “I’m ashamed you’d let someone do this to you and not put up a fight.” Kate snatched up a photo, held it out. “When was this taken? Look at it, figure it out.”
Jo’s stomach churned as she stared at it. Her palms were damp as she reached out and took the photo. The shot was slightly out of focus, she noted. The angle of light was poor, casting a bad shadow across her body. He was capable of much better work, she thought, then let out a long breath. It helped to think practically, even to critique.
“I think he rushed this one. The marsh at this spot is fairly open. Obviously he didn’t want me to know he was taking pictures, so he hurried through it.”
“Good. Good girl. Now when were you down there last?”
“Just a couple of days ago, but I didn’t take the tripod.” Her brow furrowed as she concentrated. “This had to be at least two weeks back. No, three. Three weeks ago, I went out at low tide to do some studies of the tidal pools. Let me see another print.”
“I know it’s difficult for you, but I like this one.” Kate tried a bolstering smile as she offered Jo a photo of herself cradled in Sam’s lap. Shade dappled over them in patterns, making the study almost dreamy.
“The campground,” Jo murmured. “The day I was locked in the showers and Daddy let me out. It wasn’t kids. The bastard. It wasn’t kids, it was him. He locked me in there, then he waited around and he took this.”
“That was the day Ginny went missing, wasn’t it? Nearly two weeks now.”
Jo knelt on the floor again, but she wasn’t panicking now. Her hands were steady, her mind focused. She went through photo by photo, coolly. “I can’t be sure of each and every one, but those I can pinpoint were all taken at least that long ago. So I’ll assume they all were. Nothing in the last two weeks. He’s held on to them. He’s waited. Why?”
“He needed time to print them, to select them. To decide which ones to send. He must have other obligations. A job. Something.”
“No, I think he’s very flexible there. He had pictures of me on assignment at Hatteras, and others of me in Charlotte. Day-to-day stuff. He isn’t worried about obligations.”
“All right. Get your purse. We’re going to get the boat and go over to the mainland. We’re taking this, all of this, to the police.”
“You’re right. That’s better than sitting here being afraid.” Very carefully she slipped photo after photo back into the envelope. “I’m sorry, Kate.”
“For what?”
“For not telling you. For not trusting you enough to tell you about what happened.”
“And you should be.” She reached out a hand to help Jo to her feet. “But that’s done now, and behind us. From now on you and everyone else in this house are going to remember we’re a family.”
“I don’t know why you put up with us.”
“Sweetie pie,” Kate smiled and patted Jo’s cheek, “there are times when I wonder the selfsame thing.”
NINETEEN
“HEY, where y’all going?” Lexy spotted Kate and Jo as they stepped out the side door. Her eyes were bright, her smile brilliant. She was nearly dancing.
“Jo and I have to run over to the mainland on some business,” Kate began. “We’ll be back by—”
“I’m going with you.” Lexy raced through the door, zipping by before Kate could grab her arm.
“Lexy, this isn’t a pleasure trip.”
“Five minutes,” Lexy called back. “It’s only going to take me five minutes to get ready.”
“That girl.” Kate heaved a sigh. “She’s always wanting to be someplace she’s not. I’ll go tell her she has to stay behind.”
“No.” Jo tightened her grip on the pair of envelopes she held. “Under the circumstances it might be better if she knows what’s going on. I think, until we find out something more, she needs to be careful.”
Kate’s heart skipped a beat, but she nodded. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll tell Brian we’re going. Don’t you worry, sweetie.” Kate flicked a hand over Jo’s hair. “We’re going to take care of this.”
***
