“Hm,” Detective Waterman murmurs. “Is there anyone else you think we should talk to, specifically?”
“Um, no. The guards … I didn’t know them by name, and I’m not sure who might have known her. None of them really spoke to me.”
“We checked into everyone employed by the Hamilton family. I spoke at length to Penny Hamilton myself. That woman didn’t have a clue about what was going on in her own home. She said she wasn’t there much. Do you recall how often she was in the house?”
“Not that often. She went on vacation and business trips a lot.”
“That checks out. We went through her receipts. She took a dozen or so flights a year.”
I nod. “I think I saw her twice in the last year I was there, for a day or two at most.”
“That would make sense. I’m sorry I don’t have an update for you. If I get any new leads, I’ll be sure to let you know. Do you have a phone yet, or a place of residence?”
“I’m … I took a job at the academy so you can call me here. I don’t know the number, but …”
Erika waves her hand in front of me, and I look up to see her mouth, “I do.”
“Erika, the receptionist knows,” I add. “She can put you through to my room.”
“Great. I’ve made a note of that.”
“Okay, thanks,” I murmur, feeling a little numb now that the conversation is over.
She doesn’t know what happened to my mother, and Ivan Hamilton will never admit to killing her. Whatever he gets charged for, it’s not going to be enough unless my mother’s murder is part of it.
I feel useless. I don’t know how to help the detective find what she needs to be able to add that charge to his list. It’s not like I can go back to that house and start digging up the gardens until I find real evidence.
She probably isn’t even buried there.
He would have to be a fool to bury a body in his own yard.
I hate him, but I know he’s not stupid enough, or arrogant enough to do something like that.
Unfortunately, I don’t know enough about that monster to guess at what he might have done instead.
I might have to live with never knowing.
God, the thought of that hurts.
“Take care, Robin,” Detective Waterman says softly.
“Thanks. You too, detective.”
I pass the receiver back to Erika, and she places it down in its cradle.
“Thanks,” I murmur, trying to smile.
Erika’s gaze is full of concern as she smiles wanly back at me.
“I’m sorry about your mother.”
“Thanks. It was a long time ago.”
“That doesn’t mean it hurts any less. I hope you get justice for what happened to her.”
“I do, too,” I admit. “I should go. Thanks for helping me with that call.”
“Anytime. See you later, Robin.”
