"You know how it is here,” Hannah replied with a shrug. “Unless someone files an official complaint, it's all just talk." She took a sip of her water. "Though I did hear the principal had a 'conversation' with him last year after a particularly pushy stage mom raised concerns."
From the corner of her eye, Kelly noticed Ben's fingers tapping thoughtfully against his glass, his expression focusedand analytical. She could almost see the wheels turning in his head, filing away every detail for later.
After seeing him dissect that police file after only having it for a few hours, she’d been impressed with his skill and insight. It made her wonder, not for the first time, more about his father and the cases Ben might have been exposed to.
But…what sort of case could there be in the tiny town of Harper, Montana? He’d told her the population of Harper, and it was even smaller than Bergen, for heaven’s sake, and they’d only had one murder here in over sixty years.
Note to self. Look up crime in Harper, Montana.
"Anything else interesting going on?" Kelly asked.
"Oh! You'll never guess who's running for mayor. Ethan Walters. Can you believe it? Student body president to actual mayor. Though honestly, who's surprised?" Hannah said with an eyeroll. “He always liked to be in charge. Even back in high school, he loved to try to tell me what to do. You know how that went.”
Not well. Hannah and Ethan were known for having lots of lovers’ quarrels and then making up right after by making out passionately on the bleachers.
Ethan had always been ambitious, always had his eye on the next rung of the ladder. And he'd always been near the periphery of their friend group because of his on-and-off relationship with Hannah.
Ben listened patiently, his expression inscrutable. For the moment, anyway.
He’d thoughtfully allowed Kelly to catch up with Hannah without interruption. She couldn’t think of any other man who would have done that. In her experience, men didn’t like it when they weren’t getting attention.
"What about Lori's parents? How have they been dealing with the town's... selective memory?” he asked. “I don’t think I’d be too keen on my child being erased from history.
The question was perfectly framed. He wasn’t too blunt and not too leading.
Hannah's normally bubbly demeanor dimmed slightly, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper.
"Lori’s father passed away six months ago. Heart attack is what the doctors say, but he was never the same after Lori died." She twisted a cocktail napkin between her fingers. "Mrs. Powell moved to Arizona about four months ago. Her sister lives there."
"Did you see her before she left?" Kelly asked, remembering the elegant, poised woman who'd always had a warm smile for her daughter's friends.
"She aged overnight after losing Lori’s dad.” She gestured vaguely with her hands, her eyes bright with tears. "It was like watching someone wither in real time. After he died, she just couldn't stay here anymore. Everyone's hoping the move helps her."
Kelly thought about Elizabeth Powell. She’d adored Lori’s mom and had spent a great deal of time at their home. She'd always baked cookies when all the girls came over, and she'd offered to help with Kelly's college applications.
Hell, Kelly's own mother had been dismissive of her goals and hadn’t wanted to help. The image of that vibrant woman withering under the weight of her grief made Kelly's chest ache.
"Did she ever say anything to you? About the case?" Ben asked, his tone gentle.
“No. Never,” Hannah said with a shake of her head. “But I haven’t forgotten Lori. That's why I keep those photos, even if some of them are just in my office drawer. I won’t forget."
Kelly blinked rapidly, fighting back tears. She couldn’t forget either, not even if she wanted to. She’d made a promise to Loriall those years ago. It was the driving force behind her podcast, behind this entire trip.
She’d bring justice to Lori no matter what it took.
"The house is still there," Hannah added. "Empty now. Nobody's bought it, though I hear it's going up for auction soon. People say it's because of the housing market, but..."
Nobody wanted to live in a house whose owners had been marked by tragedy.
"Hannah!" A loud voice called from the bar, still heard above the din. "Phone call! It's the beer distributor about tomorrow's delivery."
Hannah sighed, glancing apologetically at Kelly and Ben.
"Duty calls. But listen, I'm glad you're looking into this again." She reached out to squeeze Kelly's hand. "Nobody deserves to be erased like they're doing to Lori. And nobody deserves to go without justice."
She stood, straightening her apron. "I'll send Jake over with refills, on the house. And Kelly? It's really good to see you. Don't be a stranger, okay?"
“I won’t,” Kelly promised. “Maybe you could come visit me in the city?”
