Page 60 of Obsession

“While we’re still in Jackson and have cell coverage, do you want to call him and find out if he had included Carter’s file?”

Before she could answer him, her cell rang. “It’s Dad,” she said. After she answered, Emma told him she was with Sam.

“Put us on speaker,” he overheard her dad say. “I’d like to say hi.”

After Sam and her dad exchanged pleasantries, he asked, “How did your evening with your mom go?”

“Okay ... well, better than okay.”

“Good. Did you get the private investigator’s report?”

“How did you know—”

“Dina told me. I think she wanted to warn me you might ask me about it.”

“Have you seen it?” Sam asked.

There was hesitation on the line, then he said, “I have.”

Beside him, Emma caught her breath. “Can you remember what was in the report?” she asked.

He heard Jack take in a deep breath, and Sam exchanged glances with Emma. Her expression mirrored his feelings. Maybe they shouldn’t have asked.

“Dad, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking, hitting you with that question out of the blue.”

Jack cleared his throat. “No, it’s okay. It’s just that your brother has been on my mind a lot recently.”

“Mine too,” Emma replied.

“Do you remember whether Sheriff Carter’s file on Ryan was in the investigator’s report?” Sam asked.

“I don’t remember the exact details, Sam, but I do remember seeing a copy of the sheriff’s report, along with his opinion that Ryan killed Mary Jo Selby. That’s about where I quit reading. Why do you two want to know?”

Sam nodded for Emma to answer the question.

“Just wondering,” she said. “Sam has offered to help me look into the case again.”

He gave her a thumbs-up. That was generic enough without fibbing.

“Do you have a copy of the investigator’s report?” Emma asked.

“No. Your mother never offered to share a copy, and I didn’t ask for one,” he said. “I assume she gave you her copy.”

“Yes. She gave me what she had, but some of it seems to be missing.”

“I wouldn’t know anything about that,” her dad said with finality in his voice. “Are we still on for tomorrow night, say around sixish? I thought I might pick up steaks and grill them at your place. You’re welcome to come, Sam.”

Sam wasn’t sure Emma wanted him there tomorrow night and shot her a questioning look. She nodded. “Thanks, Mr. Winters. I’ll see you then,” he said.

They both said goodbye, and Sam’s lips quirked up as she slipped her phone in the small black bag she carried. First time he’d seen her with anything but her backpack since he returned to Natchez. When she’d walked out of the maintenance building in those boots and with her copper-colored hair falling loosely about her shoulders, he’d almost lost his breath. The skinny jeans and black sweater didn’t help his breathing any either.

“Do you want to contact Harry Bell,” Emma asked, “or do you want me to?”

“You better. You have a legal right to the report whereas if I get involved, we might need a court order.”

She checked her watch. “It’s nine. Do you think it’s too late to call him?”

“Why don’t you text the cell number and see if he responds, but let me pull over since we’ll be out of cell range a few miles from here.” Sam turned into a pullout while she texted a message. Almost immediately she received an answering text.

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