Jo closed her eyes and tried not to break down in front of Mrs. Stobbe, but she couldn’t help the shudders. She resisted sobbing. At the moment, it was beyond her to grasp this news. How could she have missed that when searching for Becky? An obituary hadn’t even come up. Jo should have been more diligent. Maybe she hadn’t wanted to stalk her friend, or she was more afraid of what she might find.
Jo stepped away from Mrs. Stobbe and wiped at her eyes. “I’m so sorry to hear this. I ... I didn’t know. I missed her funeral. I missedeverything.”
“Now, don’t you blame yourself. Becky explained that you’d had to leave and hide. That you were in danger. She missed you terribly, and she hoped that one day you would reach out to her again, and now here you are.”
“And Becky’s gone. Can I ask ...? No, never mind. I shouldn’t ask.”
“You want to know how she died.”
“Yes.” Jo hung her head.
“Sit, Jo, please. I’ll get you a cup of tea.”
Jo did as Mrs. Stobbe directed her. Looked like they were having tea after all, but this news had shocked her. Shecould berate herself later for not trying harder to keep in touch with Becky. For not searching the internet for her friend to make sure she stayed out of the news, but the thought of doing that seemed entirely too morbid.
As for Cole, he remained standing and peered at the pictures. While she waited for Mrs. Stobbe to return, she glanced at the images on the wall, taking in a young family and their daughter and her two siblings. Becky’s family. A bigger framed photograph stood out on the fireplace mantel. Becky was so young and beautiful. Cole acted like the news of her death disturbed him too. He hadn’t even known her. But maybe it was enough to watch things unfold and learn that Becky had died.
Mrs. Stobbe returned with a tray of tea and chocolate chip cookies. Cole moved to sit next to Jo. They had just under two hours before their meeting with the detective.
Jo lifted the cup to her lips, embarrassed that her trembling hands were causing the china to clink. She sipped at the hot liquid. She’d always been a coffee girl, but she wasn’t going to turn down the tea. Besides, she’d had enough coffee.
“The chamomile tea should settle you a bit,” Mrs. Stobbe said. “Becky died of a rare form of cancer. A brain tumor.”
I didn’t know. Why didn’t she tell me? Because I disappeared.
Jo tried to prevent her lips from quivering. Mrs. Stobbe’s concern for her nearly undid her.
“Oh, Jo, please. Becky wouldn’t want you to be in so much pain.”
“I didn’t know. I could have been here with her if I hadn’t been a coward and run away to hide.”
“Now you listen to me, young lady, Becky thought you were brave. That you were a hero. She would have told you, but she didn’t know how to reach you. And at the same time, she said that she wouldn’t endanger your life byeven trying to find you. She loved you. She told me that if I ever saw you again, to make sure you knew not to blame yourself for not being here. Becky knew you well enough to know you would try.”
Mrs. Stobbe forced Jo’s chin up. Forced her to look her in the face. “Now, you promise me that you’ll do right by Becky and stay safe. Stay hidden for as long as you need. Promise me.”
Jo didn’t want to promise, but how could she refuse? “I’ll try.”
Mrs. Stobbe gave a wan smile. “And I love you too, dear girl. You were my Becky’s best friend. You’ve been through a lot. Don’t you spend one second carrying another burden.”
Mrs. Stobbe drank from her own teacup. Chamomile for her too? “Now, you said you don’t have much time. I won’t pry, but what can I do to help since Becky isn’t here?”
“I don’t think there’s anything you can do.” The news had left her completely distraught. Why hadn’t she prepared herself for the possibility?
“But what would you have asked Becky?”
The woman was persistent.
“Mrs. Stobbe,” Cole said.
He probably suspected that in her current state of mind, Jo had lost her ability to ask the question, the reason they’d come here. And he would be right.
“Jo shared with me that Becky had taken some of her boxes from her apartment after she left. She had planned to hold on to them until Jo returned. Do you know where they are?”
“Becky had moved out after you left, Jo, but then she moved home when she got sick, and we kept her room the same. The extra boxes are up in the attic. I don’t know if the things you speak of are up there. But you’re more than welcome to look.”
“I’m going to get some fresh air while you search for your things.” Cole stood. “I’ll give you some privacy. Are you okay to do this?”
Jo stood too. Could she do this? She had to see this through. They were here, and she wouldn’t get another chance. She wished Cole would just join her. “Uh ... really, it’s fine ... you don’t—”
