Stranger in Town - By Cheryl Bradshaw Page 0,41

tomorrow.”

It was just like usual. I asked questions, but only received vague answers. Our relationship had always been one-sided. I recognized that, but I thought in time, it could change, that he’d open up to me, like I had tried to do with him. Funny thing about trying to change a person—it never worked.

“I’d like to know more about what happened,” I said.

“And you will, but let’s talk about it later. Right now, I just want you here with me. Tell me about the case you’re working on.”

Ahh, the switch. Giovanni had mastered changing the subject whenever it suited him, which was every time I asked him something he considered too intimate to reveal. If I pushed him, I would still get nothing, and I knew it.

I told Giovanni about the two missing girls, but left most of the details out. He’d been through a grueling ordeal with his sister, and I wanted him to focus on her for the time being.

“Tell me what I can do to help you,” he said when I’d finished.

“I appreciate it, but I’m fine.”

“If you need anything, just call.”

“I will.”

I ended the call and checked my email for the flyer Jenny sent. It was just like I expected. The mind is a great thing, but in time, even the most vivid memories fade. Two years is long enough for important details to be forgotten. The sketch revealed little in the way of a unique face. There was nothing in the sketch that made the man stand out in any way. He had a square-shaped head, a defined jawline, stubble that hadn’t been shaved in a day or two, and oval-shaped sunglasses. He looked like a cop with a five o’clock shadow. Another dead end.

CHAPTER 28

Cade told me I could find Mrs. Johnson at home after three o’clock, so I arrived just after, hoping she was already there. A green Toyota of some kind was parked out front, making me optimistic.

I knocked on the door a few times and moments later it opened.

“Can I help you?”

Sierra’s mother had a petite frame and couldn’t have been much taller than about five foot two. She had a milky white face and long, straight blond hair that was so light, it was almost white in color. She didn’t look like a woman who was highly stressed, although as a single mom, she undoubtedly was on occasion.

“My name is Sloane,” I said. “I’m a friend of the Tate’s. I wondered if I could talk to you for a few minutes.

“What about?”

“Mr. Tate has hired me to investigate Savannah’s disappearance, and I was hoping I could get your permission to spend a few minutes with Sierra.”

“You’re very straightforward, Ms. Monroe.”

“In my experience, I’ve found it’s best to be honest from the get-go,” I said.

“I decided a few months ago that it was too hard on Sierra to speak to the police. She gets very scared when they question her, no matter how nice they are. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

“Mrs. Tate is dead,” I said.

She placed a hand over her chest.

“What—when?”

“It happened a couple nights ago.”

She frowned.

“I’m very sorry. I had no idea. Please tell Noah to let me know if he needs anything.”

I nodded, and she took a step back, preparing to close the door.

“Some new information has surfaced over the past week,” I said.

“I’m glad. I hope you find Savannah. I really do. She was Sierra’s best friend. They played together almost every day, even when they weren’t at school.”

No matter how pleasant she appeared, her patience was wearing thin.

“I know you want to spare Sierra from thinking about what happened that day,” I said quickly, “but it’s just going to get worse.”

“What do you mean?”

“The FBI is getting involved for reasons I can’t really go into right now, but once they get here, you won’t have a choice. Your daughter will have to speak to them, no matter how you feel. I’m not saying this to be rude. I just thought you should know.”

“I don’t understand. She’s already met with Detective McCoy and his son a few times. There isn’t any reason to put her through it all again.”

“The FBI will be conducting its own investigation,” I said. “Whatever has happened in the past will be thrown out. From what I’ve been told, they plan on building their own case.”

She pulled the door back a few inches and contemplated what to do next. “I don’t want her to go through it all again. Can you