Page 33 of One Cry Too Loud
Alice’s face steeled over as she looked over at Holly. “And you think that’s what he was doing to me? He was convincing me that he was in love?”
“I didn’t-”
“What would the point of that be?” Alice asked. “I had already allowed him to have a relationship with his daughter. He demanded I have a prenuptial agreement drawn up before we got married, and when he left, he didn’t try to fight it. He didn’t want my money.” She sighed. “In the end, it seemed that he didn’t want anything at all.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you. If Joe said he loved you, I’m sure he did,” Holly said. “He’s the reason I was arrested. He’s the reason I lost a chunk of my life that I’ll never get back, and he’s the reason I had to give my daughter up for adoption. And all of that happenedwhilehe was telling me how much he loved me. So, I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t have the best opinion of him.”
“I understand that,” Alice said. “To be honest, I don’t have a wonderful opinion of him myself. It doesn’t mean things weren’t real, though. Just because I was left doesn’t mean I was duped.”
“I guess that’s true,” Holly said.
“Tell me about when he left,” I said.
“There was a note on the refrigerator,” Alice sighed, looking away. “It just said he was sorry. He said he couldn’t give us what we needed, and that we’d never see him again.”
“What did you tell Cindy?” Kat asked.
“I don’t lie to my children ma’am. I told her the truth,” Alice said. “She was crushed, just like me. We moved past it, though. We persevered, and then things happened with Eli.” She looked over at her boyfriend and smiled. “And I don’t mean to put words in his mouth, but I think we make a pretty good pair.”
“A great one,” Eli said.
“And Joe,” I said. “Do you have any idea where he might be now?”
“None at all,” Alice said. “He said we’d never see him again and we haven’t. He’s a shadow now, a memory.” She ran a hand through her hair. “But he wouldn’t have taken Cindy.” She shrugged. “I mean, he already had her. He left her. He certainly wouldn’t kidnap her.”
“You don’t know that,” I said honestly. “And right now, for a lot of reasons, he’s a suspect.”
“I suppose if you enjoy wasting your time,” she muttered.
“Jack, would you help me bring this stuff back into the kitchen?” Eli said, motioning to some plates on the table.
“Don’t make our guests work, honey,” Alice said.
“It’s hardly work, and I don’t mind,” I said, standing and grabbing a few plates.
“See? He doesn’t mind” Eli smiled.
His smile faded quickly as I followed him into the kitchen.
“I hope I didn’t offend you. I know Joe-or Harrison was your friend, but I don’t think Alice is seeing things clearing right now,” I explained once we were in the kitchen. “And it’s possible that you’re not either.”
“He’s a piece of crap,” Eli said. “Anybody who’d leave his child is garbage. Harrison is no exception.”
“Okay,” I said. “Then why did you bring me in here, because I know it’s not because you wanted help carrying plates.”
“I needed to get you away from Alice,” he explained.
“Alright. Why?” I asked.
“Because I’ve been lying to her, and I’d rather if she didn’t find out,” Eli said. “I’d rather if I didn’t have to tell you either, if I’m being honest, but if there’s a chance you can get Cindy back, then I have to.”
“You have to do what?” I asked. “What is it you’re trying to tell me?”
His face tightened as he replied. “I know where you can find Joe.”
CHAPTER 22
Charlie looked at the card Eli gave me back at the house, the one with an address where I could supposedly find Joe. He had peered at this card for ten minutes straight. The look on his face told me he was torn.
