Deadly Echoes Read Free Page B

you learn any details about the investigation, will you share them with me?”
    He put his hat on his head. “Certainly. But I’m not really involved with Kansas City. I do have a friend who works for the department there. If you want, I can call him and ask him to keep me updated. I really doubt he’ll be able to tell me anything different from what the police will tell you.”
    â€œI’d really appreciate it, Paul. Whoever killed our parents was never caught. I really don’t want to see that happen again.”
    â€œGive the police a chance, Sarah. Don’t give up on them beforethe process even begins. Just because law enforcement let you down once doesn’t mean the same thing will happen this time.”
    I sighed. “I’m sure you’re right. It’s just that I’ve lived without closure for all these years. I don’t want that for Cicely.”
    â€œI understand. I’ll give my friend a call. For now, you take care of yourself and your niece.”
    â€œThank you so much. Cicely will need a lot of help. Believe me, I know what it’s like to feel all alone in the world.”
    â€œI’m sure you do. Cicely is blessed to have you to turn to.” He walked over to the front door. “I’m going back to the station. You know how to reach me?”
    â€œI do. Thank you.”
    He paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Again, I’m really very sorry, Sarah.”
    â€œI know you are. Thanks.”
    I watched him leave, hoping he would follow through on his promise to call his contact in Kansas City. I really wanted the person who killed my sister brought to justice. Not knowing who had killed my parents was like having an open wound in my soul that had never healed. I’d lived my life in the shadow of their murders. How could I be in the same situation again? I struggled to push the thought out of my mind. For now, I needed to concentrate on bringing Cicely home. Even more than seeing Hannah’s murderer brought to justice, I was certain my sister would want to know that her daughter was safe and loved. I was determined to do everything in my power to make that happen.

Chapter
Three

    I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting at the desk in my old bedroom, talking to the police department in Kansas City. Janet had given me some numbers to call, but it still took a while to find the right person. After being transferred more than once, I was finally connected to a very kind woman who worked with the Department of Children and Families. She informed me that Cicely had been placed in emergency foster care. When she said the words foster care , a chill ran through me. But the woman assured me this was one of their best homes and that Cicely was doing as well as could be expected. After telling her who I was, she promised they would work with me. Although she couldn’t give me Cicely’s number, she told me she’d arrange to have someone call me. About an hour later, the phone rang. It was the woman who had provided Cicely emergency shelter. She introduced herself as Cora Anderson.
    â€œShe’s in shock,” Cora said. “I’m doing my best to comfort her. Tomorrow morning she’ll see a counselor. He’ll assess her emotional condition.” She sighed. “She may need somefollow-up help after she leaves here. She discovered her mother’s body, you know. I can’t imagine how that feels.”
    A picture of blood and orchids flashed through my mind, and my stomach turned over.
    â€œI appreciate everything you’re doing to help her,” I said. “I’m working with the Department of Children and Families to clear the way for me to bring her home.”
    â€œI hope you won’t have any trouble,” Cora said slowly. “It would help to have something that mentions Hannah’s wishes.”
    â€œShe asked me to be responsible for Cicely if something ever happened to