Page 43 of Little Stolen Memories

“Have you tried talking to her about it?”

“Not yet. I’m not sure how she’ll take it.”

“It’s worth a conversation. You know how important your health is to her, and she respects honesty, even if it’s hard for her to take.”

“Working on this case again is exciting. I have a good feeling about it, a feeling like we’re going to solve it this time. I thought we could do it together, but now, I don’t see how we can.”

There had to be a way to make it all work—a way for Harvey to take a step back but still feel involved, while at the same time, encouraging my mother to let Harvey and Whitlock investigate on their own.

Then, it came to me.

“I have an idea,” I said.

“Wonderful.”

“What if we kept you in the loop through text messages? You’d know everything going on, and you could message us when you have something to add.”

He rubbed his hands together and said, “Hmm, could work. It’s worth a try, I suppose. Anything to get Darlene back to her regular schedule. She’s been all over me, and we’re just getting started.”

“It’s settled, then.”

I was about to suggest we check in on Foley and Whitlock before my mother returned when I heard the front door open.

“They couldn’t be back so soon,” Harvey said. “Could they?”

“No, Giovanni will keep her out as long as he can. I bet it’s Silas. He was on his way over to dust for prints.”

I looked up, expecting to see Silas walk into the room and slapped a hand against my mouth, blinking once and then a second time to be sure what I was witnessing was real.

“Cora?” I said. “Where have you been?”

She raised a brow, as if confused. “Hey, guys. What’s with all the cars parked outside? Is something going on?”

CHAPTER 20

What followed after everyone learned Cora was safe was a joyous reunion between mother and daughter, a mother whose biggest fear had been that her daughter had been abducted by the Cabin Killer.

As we gathered around to celebrate Cora’s return, my mind was brimming with unanswered questions:

Where had Cora been all this time?

Why had she left the house without her cell phone?

Why was the screen missing from her bedroom window?

I needed answers to make everything make sense.

And right now, it didn’t.

As much as I wanted to question Cora, I shelved my curiosity, deciding I’d wait until everything calmed down, and I was able to speak to her alone.

Time passed, and one by one, those who’d gathered at Ginger’s house began to leave.

As Foley made his exit, he told Ginger he’d assign officers to sit across the street in a patrol car in shifts for as long as it was needed. It came as a welcome relief. Ginger and Cora would sleep better knowing they were being looked after.

Aunt Laura said her goodbyes, and a few minutes later, Ginger retired to bed, leaving Cora and I alone to talk.

“I don’t know about you, but after what just happened, I could use a glass of wine,” Cora said. “Care to join me?”

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