Chapter 8

I stood on the Callahans’ doorstep, trying to keep my temper in check as Cora gave me a nervous look, a look that told me she might already know the reason for my impromptu visit.

“We need to talk,” I said.

“About what?”

“If I’m going to take your case, I need to be able to trust you.”

“You can trust me.”

“I need to know you’re telling me everything, including the fact that Detective Whitlock reopened the case.”

“I … yeah. I should have told you.”

“Why didn’t you?”

Cora glanced over her shoulder and then stepped outside, pulling the door closed behind her.

“I … I was going to tell you,” she said, “and then I … well, I guess I started worrying about what would happen if I did.”

I moved a hand to my hip. “What did you think would happen?”

“I thought you might not take the case if you knew Detective Whitlock had decided to investigate the murders again. No offense, but he didn’t catch the guy before, so I don’t have a lot of faith in him solving it now.”

Her reasoning was rational, but I still wasn’t amused to find out I was the last person to know about it.

I blew out a long sigh and said, “From here on out, I need to know everything you know. Okay? If you can’t do that, I can’t continue working the case.”

Cora tossed her hands in the air. “Look, I have enough to deal with right now with my dad, among other things. I’m not going to stand here being lectured by you. Work on the case or don’t. I don’t care.”

But she did care.

I could tell just by looking at her.

She opened the front door and then slammed it shut, leaving me to wonder whether I was still working the case or not. I didn’t feel like I’d come on too strong by approaching her about Whitlock, but maybe I had. I thought about knocking on the door and resolving the situation, but it had been a long day. I was ready to go home and sit in the hot tub, with a good book and a glass of wine.

With that in mind, I walked to my car.

Tomorrow was a new day.

I’d resolve my issues with Cora then.

As I reached my car, Aunt Laura pulled to a stop behind me. She took one look at me and leapt out of her Mercedes with a grocery bag in one hand and a can of Coke in the other.

Making her way over to me in a long, flowy, bohemian-style dress, she said, “Having a bad day, are we?”

“A frustrating day is more like it. I was just heading home. I’m thinking hot tub, wine, and a little mindless reading.”

“Sounds like a wonderful plan,” she said. “Before you go, want to tell me what has you so frustrated?”

I stood there, trying to decide where to begin. “Did you tell Cora to hire me?”

“Sure did.”

“I’m assuming you know Whitlock has reopened the case,” I said.

“Sure do.”

“Are the two of you still dating?”

“Not dating. More like enjoying each other’s company from time to time.”

“Ohhkay.”

She smacked me on the shoulder and said, “Don’t look so surprised. I’m a modern woman. I don’t care to live with anyone again, though I’m sure he’d be up for it if I were. I enjoy his company just as much as I enjoy my alone time. And there you have it.”

Given her free-spirited nature, I should have expected as much.

“If you knew Whitlock reopened the case, why did you tell Cora to come see me?”

Aunt Laura’s mouth opened, but as I waited for her to say something, she turned, her attention diverting from me to the silhouette of Cora peeking out the kitchen window at us.

“Look at her,” Aunt Laura said. “She’s like a frightened bunny in a hunter’s trap. Scared of her own shadow. You met with her today. You must have seen it, heard the fear in her voice.”

“I did. I know how hard it is for her to be in Cambria again.”

“Harder than either one of us can imagine.”

Aunt Laura was right.

No one would ever understand what Cora had gone through, what she was still going through.

“The question you should be asking yourself, kiddo, is what motivated her to meet with you this morning. Couldn’t have been easy. And yet, she went outside of her comfort zone and pushed herself to do it.”

I paused a moment, thinking back to my conversation with Cora. The more I thought about it, the more things were starting to make sense.

“Whitlock and Harvey conducted the initial investigation,” I said. “And neither were able to solve it. I’m guessing Whitlock came over, excited to let her family know he was looking into the case again. But what faith would she have that things would be any different this time? In fact, she just told me those same words.”

Aunt Laura moved a hand to her hip. “She’d have little faith, wouldn’t you say?”

“If anything, I bet she’s nervous about what will happen now that he’s stirring it all back up again.”

“I should say so. Think about it. She returned home to spend time with her father, and the first thing that happened when she arrived was her mother sitting her down to tell her Whitlock had reopened the case.”

I thought about how I’d feel if I was in her position.

Cora deserved better, most of all from me.

“I imagine Cora’s wondering if the killer is still lurking around here. She’s probably asking herself how he will respond to the news that the case has been reopened. And what’s more, what if he discovers she’s returned to town after all these years to look after her ailing father? Will he come after her?”

Aunt Laura smiled, wagging a finger at me. “There she is—there’s my brilliant sleuth of a niece.”

“I was rude to her just now. I feel like a jerk.”

“We all feel like jerks from time to time. It’s human to err and so on. What matters is what you do about it now.” Aunt Laura looped her arm around mine, and we started for the front door. “No use fretting over what’s already passed. Come along, and all will be made right.”