Page 39 of Little Stolen Memories

“My instinct tells me it wasn’t, though.”

“You think the killer knows Cora is back in town.”

“I do, and it makes me think he’s close by. Close enough to keep tabs on what’s going on around here. Cora and her family need to be made aware of what we found.”

Giovanni agreed, and we raced downstairs, blowing past the tripod without stopping to grab it. There was something much more important we needed to be holding right now—our guns.

We headed back to town, my eyes making frequent contact with my phone to see if I had service yet. Six excruciating minutes later, I did, and I gave Cora a call. It rang several times and went to voicemail.

“No luck?” Giovanni asked.

“She’s not answering.”

I drummed my fingers along the armrest, trying to decide what to do next, and then I got an idea. I called Aunt Laura. Given she was friends with Cora’s mother, Ginger, I figured she could give me her number.

The phone rang once …

Twice …

Three times …

And then, “Hello, kiddo. How’s your day been?”

“I … uhh … it’s been crazy.”

“You sound like you’re out of breath. Is everything okay?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Care to talk about it?”

Not right now.

I had more pressing matters on my mind.

“I’m in the car with Giovanni,” I said. “We just came from Millie Callahan’s cabin. I’ve been trying to reach Cora, and she’s not answering her phone. Can you give me her mother’s number?”

“She’s not home right now. She’s at the grocery store. But you’re in luck. I’m already at their house, waiting for Ginger to return. I made dinner for them tonight. Anyway, Cora’s car is in the driveway, though. I haven’t talked to her yet, but I’m guessing she’s in her room. I’ll walk down the hall and see, and then I can give you the phone, so you can talk to her. Hold on a second.”

I heard the sound of footsteps shuffling down the hall.

There was a knock, and then, “Cora, dear. It’s Laura. I have Georgiana on the phone. She’d like to speak with you.”

I waited.

It was quiet for a moment, and then Aunt Laura said, “How odd.”

“What’s odd?” I asked.

“Cora hasn’t acknowledged me, and she’s not coming to the door. What would you like me to do?”

The uneasiness stirring inside me was growing worse.

“Don’t wait for her to come to the door,” I said. “Check and see if she’s in her room.”

“She might be asleep. How about I check the rest of the house first before I enter her room without permission, though?”

“All right.”

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