Page 23 of Just One Kiss

"Not because you called me."

"I know I can trust you, Adam, and Brodie, too, but beyond that, I'm not sure. Kelly was very specific about not calling the police. Let me get you the note." She got up and retrieved the note from her bag, then handed it to him.

Adam gave it a good read. "What else can you tell me about your sister? Why did she leave home? Do you have any idea where she's been the last fifteen years?"

"After my father died, Kelly turned wild, and my mom became a raging alcoholic. They each blamed the other for my dad's death."

"Why?"

"It was a car accident, but the reason my father was out that night was to pick up Kelly, who had not come home by her curfew. It was storming, and it was an accident. But Kelly was the reason he went out at all."

"That's rough. I'm sorry."

"Thanks. Anyway, Kelly left home and I never saw her again. I think my mom looked for her at one time; I know others did as well, but to my knowledge, no one ever located her. I asked Brett a few questions, but he just said they live far away. He appears to be well taken care of. When I got to the cabin, Kelly had left food for Brett, and the heat was on. I'm pretty sure she stayed until I came. Jake saw a car leave right after we got to the cabin." She paused. "But I don't want to defend her too much, because what she did was irresponsible and foolish."

"Or desperate," Adam suggested.

She was surprised that he was giving Kelly's disappearance a more positive spin. "Really? I thought you'd be ready to arrest her for abandoning her child."

"I might still do that. But first I want to find her, and if she needs help, I want to help her. She's your family."

"I want to help her, too, even though she probably doesn't deserve it."

He gave her an empathetic smile. "Family relationships can be complicated."

"Your family seems perfect. You and Lizzie and Chelsea are tight. I don't know about your other brothers."

"We're close, but we all have our moments. And we were fortunate enough not to suffer through the kind of tragedy that you experienced."

"You were lucky."

"Do you think Kelly kept in touch with anyone in this town?"

"No," she replied.

"What's your sister's full name?" he asked, pulling out his phone to take notes.

"Kelly Marie Stark. She was born on May 22nd. She has blonde hair and green eyes. She graduated from Whisper Lake High School. I have no idea where she's been since she left town."

"All right. And your property manager?"

She gave him Debbie's information as well as the address of the cabin and an extra set of keys, because he wanted to drive up to the cabin and take a look around.

"What about your mother?" Adam asked. "Is she aware of the situation?"

"No, not yet."

"I'd like to talk to her about Kelly."

"She won't know any more than I do."

"It's possible she might," Adam countered.

She frowned. "I don't really want to involve her yet. She's not good in a crisis, and her sobriety can be tenuous. Can we leave her out for the time being?"

"You don't ask much, do you?" he said lightly, giving her a dry smile.

"I know I'm asking for a lot."

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