Gone Too Far (Devlin & Falco #2) - Debra Webb Page 0,89
done the sound check. You have everything you need.” Now or never. “Let’s do it.”
Jen smiled. “On it, sister.”
Jen climbed out of her car, crossed the street, and stepped up to the sidewalk leading to the Cortez home. She looked sharp even in such a modest skirt and jacket. When she had called Jen, Kerri had suggested she wear a reserved, professional suit and keep the makeup light. To bring a notepad or portfolio and be ready to behave like a social worker.
Jen had nailed it.
Kerri smiled. She and Diana had always called Jen their other sister. She was a dear friend who would do anything for the people she loved.
Kerri desperately needed this to work. To know what was going on with Alice Cortez and her family.
“Here we go,” Jen whispered, the breathy sound soft in Kerri’s earpiece.
She heard the faint chime of the doorbell after Jen pushed the button. Three, four, five seconds elapsed before the door opened. From the car, it looked as if only a crack appeared.
“Mrs. Cortez?” Jen asked.
“Yes.”
“My name is Wanda James. I’m from the Child Services Division, and I just need to ask you a few questions. May I come in?”
“You have . . . ID?”
The lady’s accent was thick. José Cortez was the one who had done most of the talking the first time Kerri dropped her daughter off to spend time with Alice. He’d spoken perfect English with only the slightest Mexican accent.
Kerri held her breath as Jen flashed the fake credentials. It wasn’t that Kerri had a stash of fake credentials, but she had a couple. Falco had taught her that sometimes it was necessary to skirt the perimeter between right and wrong to get where you needed to go. There had never been a more necessary time than now.
The door opened wider, and Jen was in.
Kerri wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or further on edge.
“What a lovely cross,” Jen said as she moved into the house. “You have a lot of beautiful crosses. How nice.”
In the background the lady thanked her. Her voice was small. She was nervous.
“Now. As I said, my name is Wanda, and I have a few questions for you. May I call you Cora?”
“Yes, of . . . of course.”
“How is Alice doing? I know this whole thing at the school has been just awful for all of you. The school counselors are working hard to help all the children, especially those closest to what happened.”
Kerri was impressed. Jen should be an actress. So far she hadn’t missed a single point Kerri had laid out.
“She isn’t sleeping.” The other woman hesitated. “I wake up and she is walking the floor. Talking to herself. It’s so sad.”
“Oh my,” Jen said, “have you spoken to her counselor about this?”
Pause.
“Why haven’t you?” Jen asked.
Kerri presumed the woman, Cora Cortez, had shaken her head in a no.
“My husband doesn’t want to get involved. We keep to ourselves. It’s easier that way.”
Interesting.
“Your husband works with Iris Cosmetics?”
Another long pause.
“I’m not sure. He does not discuss his work with me. I wouldn’t know.”
“Alice’s father was his brother?” Jen asked without hesitation.
“No. He is—was a friend. Longtime friend. They grew up together like brothers.”
The abrupt silence told Kerri the woman realized she’d said too much.
“That’s good,” Jen said. “Friends are so important. It’s good when we’re there to help one another.”
The woman made a soft sound of agreement. “Adopted,” she added quickly. “He was José’s adopted brother.”
“Oh,” Jen said, “I see.”
Good comeback, Mrs. Cortez, Kerri granted.
“No other problems with Alice?” Jen asked.
Pause.
“Great.”
Another unspoken answer apparently.
“How long have you lived in this country, Cora?”
Kerri held her breath.
“I . . . don’t understand the question. Why do you ask?”
“When did you move from Mexico?” Jen rephrased. “Never mind. It’s not really important. I was just curious. You have an excellent command of the language. And your home is so cozy. It looks as if you’ve been here ages.”
“Thank you. Last year. August.”
Kerri’s heart started to beat faster.
“To take care of Alice,” Jen suggested.
“Yes.”
Another of those pauses elapsed.
“I . . . I lived here before,” Cortez blurted. “I went to university here. I’m a nurse. I don’t work any longer . . . because of Alice.”
Another last-second save. The woman had her part nailed. Except Kerri wasn’t buying it.
“You and your husband have sacrificed a great deal for Alice. That’s very kind of you.”
Good job, Jen!
“Well, all right then. I think I have everything I require except for having a look at Alice’s room.