once told me that Julian had a drug habit, as well as anger issues.”
“Do you think Julian could have harmed our daughters? And possibly Dakota?”
“Between you and me, I’ve always thought that boy was capable of violence. I told that police officer about him and let it go at that. I think Gil would strangle Julian if he suspected him of hurting Willow.”
“There are rumors that you held parties here and that drugs and alcohol were involved.”
Felicia shot out of her chair and glared at Isla. “Who told you that? Because that’s a bald-faced lie. We never allowed drugs and alcohol into our home when there were kids here. Now, if some of those kids drank or took drugs before coming over, well, that was out of our control. We always instructed them to return home if we suspected that they were intoxicated.”
“I’m sorry for mentioning it.”
Felicia fell back in the chair. “That’s the problem with living in such a small town. Everyone’s always in your goddamned business.”
“I’m just trying to help find your daughter.”
“Please, Isla, just stick to doing hair and let the police do their job.” She covered her eyes and started sobbing, and Isla shut down the dryer.
“I’m sorry for prying into your life, Felicia.”
“No, I’m sorry if you think I’m being mean to you. You’ve been nothing but kind to me, and I’ve treated you so rudely. I’m the one that should be asking you for forgiveness.”
“It’s okay. I understand the immense stress you’re under.”
“You can’t even begin to understand. No one can. Your daughter came back to you. So why can’t mine?”
“She will.”
“My husband is practically suicidal over Willow’s disappearance. How do you think that makes me feel? That my husband loves his daughter more than his own wife.”
“I don’t believe that’s true. It’s just that parents love their children differently than they love their spouse.”
“I love Willow, too, but I want to live my life to the fullest no matter what happens. Gil and I need each other if we’re to have a future together.”
Felicia’s words confused her. They didn’t seem to fit the narrative of a daughter gone missing. But people reacted in strange ways during crises, and Isla knew not to judge. Maybe Felicia’s mind was not where it should be with all the antidepressants and other medications she’d been taking. And yet she couldn’t get the woman’s troubling words out of her head.
She finished brushing out her hair. Then she showed Felicia what she’d done. A subtle nod was all she got for her efforts.
“That exhausted me. I need to go to my room and lie down now,” Felicia said as she stood up from her seat and then sat down in the wheelchair.
“Would you like me to push you there?”
“If you wouldn’t mind.”
Isla guided her wheelchair down the hallway until Felicia pointed to a room. It appeared that she and Gil were now sleeping in separate bedrooms. Isla pushed her inside. “All set?”
“Yes. Thank you so much. Can you see yourself out?”
“Sure,” Isla said, steeling herself for what she was about to ask. “I hate to trouble you, Felicia, but I’ve not received payment for my services.” Saying this made her cringe.
“Gil never paid you?”
“No.”
“Well, he was supposed to. And he’s already turned in for the night.” She wheeled over to the dresser and opened it, then pulled something out. “Will a check suffice?”
“A check will work just fine. It’s just that . . .”
“I’m sorry if it’s a little light. Gil’s supposed to transfer funds to my account any day now.” She scribbled on the check, ripped it out of the checkbook, and brusquely handed it to her.
“Whatever’s fine. You can always pay me the rest later when you stop in the shop,” Isla said, stuffing the check in her pocket. “I’ll show myself out.”
“If you wouldn’t mind.”
Once in the car, Isla sat fuming. How could that woman be light on money with all the opulence surrounding her? She turned the ignition, and before shifting into drive, she removed the crumpled check from her pocket. It took her a few seconds to read it in the dark. Had Felicia made a mistake? Isla clicked on the overhead light and saw that indeed she’d made the check out for two hundred dollars. Two hundred dollars.
She sat for five minutes in the car, not quite believing the sum of money that had just been paid to her. Should she go back and ask Felicia if she’d made a mistake? No, she’d