Page 63 of Every Deadly Suspicion

“I can’t take back those years,” Joe continued haltingly. “But I want you to know ever since I saw the light, I’ve prayed for you and your mother. I’m sorry she’s gone.”

Hanna didn’t know what to say. If her mother were still alive, Joe would not be here, that was for sure. She heard the front door open and felt relief that Mandy was here to focus the conversation in another direction.

“Joe, do you remember Amanda Carson?”

His brows scrunched together as if he was trying to remember. “Sophia’s girl?”

“Yeah. She’s my friend, and she wants to ask you something. Do you feel up to talking to her?”

An indefinable expression crossed his face. He brought a hand up to his chin and with his index finger scratched under the nasal cannula. “Sure.”

Hanna felt Mandy’s presence behind her. She turned and saw the hopeful expression on her friend’s face.

“Joe, this is Mandy Carson.”

Mandy stepped forward.

Joe looked at her, his eyes widened. “My goodness, the last time I saw you...” He leaned forward, his face lost all of its color, and he coughed. Gizmo jumped off the bed, and Grace got up from her seat on the bed to attend to him. Joe waved her away.

She picked up the nebulizer and stood to the right of the bed.

“You were in diapers,” Joe continued. “You don’t look at all like your mama. You take after your dad in a good way.” He coughed some more, but the color slowly returned to his face.

Mandy pulled the chair that was next to the bed closer and sat. “Hi, Joe. I’m sorry you’re so sick.”

“Oh, honey, don’t be sorry for me. I’m getting what I deserve. I’m sorry your parents are gone.” He paused again, seemingly trying to catch his breath. “Your dad was a hothead, but your mama was sweet.”

“I forgive you, Joe. I did a long time ago. And I have a favor to ask.”

He gave a mirthless chuckle, punctuated by coughs. “I’m in no position to do any favors.” His cheeks shone red from the exertion of talking. Hanna also had the feeling Joe did not have much more time on this earth.

“This is one you can grant. I’m sure of it. Please, Joe, will you tell me where my parents are? Where did you put their bodies?”

Joe’s chest rose and fell, breathing labored. He put his gnarled, liver-spotted hand over Mandy’s, but it was several minutes before he said anything. “I can’t.”

Hanna barely heard him.

“Joe, please, after all these years. I’d like to lay them to rest. I hold no grudge against you.”

“Understand.” Long pause. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”

Mandy stood, agitated. “You have nothing to lose now, Joe—”

He shook his head.

“Why can’t you tell her?” Hanna asked. “It’s the Christian thing to do.”

“I can’t tell you where they are because I don’t know.”

CHAPTER 34

WHENTHURSDAY MORNING ROLLED AROUND,all Dry Oaks fire personnel were released from the fire line. County and state firefighters continued the fight. Jared was glad to be back in town. Dry Oaks was no longer in danger, and without the wind, the fire was laying down.

The county had one large station in Dry Oaks on the west side, near the reservoir. His first morning back, he and a couple of other guys, Paul Stokes and Bryce Fallow, were on a fitness run that took them to the east trail around the shrinking body of water. He’d never seen Buckley Lake so low. California was often in and out of drought, but this one was the worst he could remember.

As they jogged along the trail, he noted that the launch ramp was all the way exposed. To launch a boat, a person had to travel some distance on mud. A couple of people were out on the lake in kayaks, and a few people were fishing from the shore, which was way, way down. It was early in the day, not too hot yet. Since their shifts were twenty-four hours, the best time to exercise was first thing, after they’d checked in to work.

They came to the turnaround point, and Jared saw a couple of guys out a ways, on rocks that in a normal year would beunderwater. They both appeared to be struggling with something. A big fish? That was unlikely. There were plenty of fish in the lake but not many big ones. Jared and his coworkers stopped to stretch for the run back. They would most certainly sprint part of the way in impromptu races.

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