Page 92 of Every Deadly Suspicion

“True. When I was a kid, Betty always helped me understand when things went wrong or life was hard. Her house was a safe space for me.” Thinking about Betty, Hanna remembered her saying,“My house will always be your safe house, Hanna.”

Suddenly it occurred to her that Betty would be a good person to talk to now about Joe, and Chase, and all the history.

“Do you have plans today, Jared?”

He shook his head and smiled. “Only planned to hang out with my girl.”

“I want to go visit Betty. Come along?”

“You bet.”

CHAPTER 48

BETTY STILL LIVED IN THE SAME HOUSEAmanda had grown up in. The same house that Hanna had always loved and saw as her safe house.

Hanna had texted Mandy before she and Jared left The Beanery, asking if Betty was still with her. Hanna knew Brody was home.

“She moved home on Friday. What’s up?”

“Nothing big. I just wanted to talk to her. Think that’s okay?”

“Yep. She loves company.”

“We good to go?” Jared asked.

“Betty’s moved back home. She must be mobile enough after her hip surgery.”

Since Chuck passed, Hanna knew that it had been difficult to keep up the place. Mandy wanted her grandma to downsize, to move to a smaller place, but Betty refused.

Hanna parked in front and strode up the walk. Betty must have been watching because she opened the door when Hanna reached the first step. She had come with the help of a cane and not a walker.

“Hanna, it is always so good to see you.” Betty wrapped her in a tight hug. Hanna loved Betty’s hugs.

“It’s always good to see you, Aunt Betty.” Hanna hugged back, struggling mightily to contain the emotions swirling inside.

Betty let go and turned to Jared. “You are a pleasant surprise. Mandy called me, but she didn’t say anything about Jared coming too.”

He got a hug as well.

When she let go, she took Hanna’s hand and led her and Jared into the house, back to the kitchen.

“I’m sorry about Joe. I hope it wasn’t too hard for you, having him home and then three days later...”

“It was expected, Betty, you know that.”

“Expecteddoesn’t meaneasy.”

Hanna thought. She and Jared sat at the table while Betty brewed the coffee. Though they’d just had coffee at The Beanery, Hanna didn’t want to turn down Betty’s hospitality. Since Jared didn’t say anything either, she felt they were on the same page. Betty chatted on about Amanda and her wish for great-grandchildren.

Since Hanna wasn’t certain Mandy was ready for kids, she simply nodded and smiled.

When the coffee finished, Betty poured the drink and set cups in front of Hanna and Jared before sitting down herself. “So, what brings you by today?”

Hanna sipped her coffee and cast a glance at Jared before she answered. “Something I discovered, and I thought you should know. Joe didn’t kill Blake and Sophia.”

“What?” Betty’s brow furrowed.

“It was Chase.” Hanna barely kept her voice steady. “Joe was forced to confess.”

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