Cole got a text and read it. “Detective Sanders is asking to meet.”
“I guess you’ll have to break the news to him,” she said. “Did he tell us we needed to stay close? You know, because sometimes the police tell people not to leave. He didn’t say that, did he?” Because she couldn’t afford to get on the wrong side of the law for any reason.
“I don’t think he’ll be happy,” Cole said.
“As if you really care. I got the sense you didn’t like him,” she said.
“What’s not to like? He’s thorough. He’s invested. He doesn’t hold punches.” Cole sounded matter-of-fact, just like Detective Sanders.
“Then why don’t you like him?”
“Same reason you don’t,” Cole said. “I think we’d probably be best friends under different circumstances.”
“Seriously?” She didn’t get the feeling Cole had many friends. But she obviously had him wrong on several points.
“Possibly.” Cole texted. Replying to Sanders?
“What did you text him?”
“Can’t meet today.”
“That’s it? You didn’t add that you could talk on the cell phone after you’re done with appointments, unless it’s something urgent, in which case you can call him now?”
“No need,” he said.
“Well, try to wait to call him until after we meet with Becky and then Detective Wilson,” she said.
“My thoughts exactly.”
Finally, they arrived in Lansing, and Jo drove them to Becky’s neighborhood. She navigated down Maple Street and parked in front of Becky’s parents’ house. Mr. and Mrs. Stobbe. Becky was still single when Jo left. Did she have a boyfriend now? Engaged? Or had she married while Jo was in hiding? A pang hit her chest. Maybe Jo had found new friends, but she’d left old ones behind. It wasn’t fair.
“I looked it up, and they still live here.” She got out and Cole joined her.
“No one followed us,” he said. “But if they somehow know that we’re here, they might guess where we’re going. Allison tells me that Merrick is resourceful enough to potentially find out we bought tickets and what flight we were on.”
“Nowyou tell me a guy who plants bombs and who the feds are after could have known I was flying to Michigan?” But really, she’d suspected as much.
She took the two steps up onto the porch and then, at the door, rang the doorbell. A few moments passed, and then the door opened to reveal a woman in her late fifties.
Mrs. Stobbe’s eyes widened, and she gasped as her face lit up. “Jo? Oh my goodness ... Jo!” She stepped forward to embrace Jo. Then she held her at arm’s length, tears filling her eyes. “Well, don’t just stand there, come on in. You and your friend.”
She followed the woman inside but gave Cole a glance. He was looking over his shoulder. He was as bad as she was, but for good reason. At least no cars had passed or parked since they’d arrived.
“Can I offer you tea?” Mrs. Stobbe asked.
Jo shared a look with him again. “No, actually, I wish wecould stay that long. We have an appointment with a Lansing detective. When this is all over, I’d love the chance to visit and catch up. Actually, I’m looking for Becky.”
Mrs. Stobbe’s expression dropped.
Jo’s chest tightened.
“Oh, Jo, you don’t know.”
“Know what?” Her breaths quickened. She blinked back unshed tears.
Mrs. Stobbe grabbed Jo’s hands and held them.
“Becky passed on. She’s with Jesus now. Oh, honey...” The woman pulled Jo into another hug, more concerned for Jo than her own pain, since Jo was only now learning about her daughter’s death.
