Page 95 of State of Alert

“Her daughters were driving her crazy, but it was the usual teenager stuff.”

“Both daughters?”

“Yeah, she had challenges with both of them.”

Sam found it interesting that nothing had been said before about Jada being at odds with her mother. “Frank and the girls told us Elaine was extremely strict with them because of what happened to Sarah. Were you aware of that?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that from Frank and the girls over the years, and I understood her position better than most.”

“Do you have children?”

“No.”

“Did she share her concerns about her girls in relation to what’d happened to Sarah?”

“Not specifically, but there was no doubt Elaine was traumatized by the experience, as we all were. If I’d had kids, I probably would’ve been the same way. When someone you love is snatched from your life in broad daylight… It changes your perceptions of safety and security and… well… everything.”

“Is there anything else you can tell us that might be relevant to Elaine’s case?”

“Not that I can think of. I’ve been away on vacation the last few weeks, so I hadn’t spoken to her in a while. I feel bad about that now. I can’t believe I’ll never again pick up the phone to call her. It’s so strange. My entire immediate family is gone now. There’s just me left.”

“We’re very sorry for your loss.”

Sam couldn’t conceive of a life without her sisters. It was bad enough moving on without her dad, but losing them… Nope. Not going there.

“Thank you again for taking the time to talk to us.”

“I wish there was more I could do to help.”

Sam left him with her card and the usual instructions to call if he thought of anything else that might be relevant.

“I don’t know about you,” Sam said to Freddie when they were outside, “but I want to see Detective William Truehart.”

“You read my mind.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

When the young officer manning the desk realized who’d strolled into the reception area of the Manassas Police Department, he nearly had a stroke. He still had acne and couldn’t be more than twenty or twenty-one.

“I, uh… May I help you?”

Sam flashed her badge and made the usual introductions. “I’d like to see Detective Truehart, please.”

“I… um… Let me see if he’s in.”

Freddie chuckled as the young man took off like his pants were on fire. “You’ve just given him a story to tell for the rest of his life.”

“Whatever.”

The officer returned a few minutes later. “Right this way, ma’am.”

“You can call me lieutenant.”

“Yes, ma’am. Lieutenant, ma’am.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Sam muttered as Freddie rocked with silent laughter.

Every cop in the place was on their feet, stretching their necks for a look at the celebrity in their midst as Sam and Freddie were led to the far back corner of the detectives’ areawhere Truehart had a small desk tucked away from the others.

---