Free Bone Deep by Debra Webb Page A

Cody?”
    Uncertainty flashed in those dark eyes. She hadn’t anticipated that question. Or Jill’s persistence. “No. Never.”
    Jill scoffed. “You’re telling me that two rambunctious little boys living this close together never managed to share the same outdoor playtime.”
    She shook her head. “Cody attended the MedTech Child Development Program. He was never home.” She seemed relieved that she’d come up with what sounded like an irrefutable answer.
    “I see. Well, thank you anyway.”
    Jill knew fear when she saw it and this woman was scared. Once she’d recovered from the initial surprise of seeing Kate’s identical twin, she’d done okay until Jill asked that one unexpected question. Why would anyone tell her not to answer questions about Kate? That was exactly how it felt. And it didn’t make sense.
    “One more thing.” Jill turned back, once more preventing the nanny from closing the door. “Did my sister and her husband quarrel frequently?” The question came out of nowhere, surprising Jill almost as much as it did the other woman.
    She shrugged. “I... ah. I wouldn’t know.”
    Jill nodded. “Thank you again.”
    This time it was the younger woman’s voice that stalled her departure. “Miss Ellington?”
    Jill hesitated, her heart racing at the prospect of gleaning some tidbit after all.
    “Don’t bother going across the street. No one’s home. And they don’t have any children.” She glanced around the yard as if fearful someone would overhear her. “You shouldn’t waste your time here. The police have already talked to everyone. No one here knows anything.”
    The door promptly closed.
    Despite the woman’s warning, Jill spent the rest of the day going from door to door. When she’d been to every house in High Point, she dropped by Kate’s medical doctor’s office. Then the library. Kate loved to read. She’d told Jill about taking Cody to the library even as an infant. After that, Jill hit the market and shops where she knew Kate most likely shopped. She had shocked most of the citizens before the day was through. They all thought she was Kate. Apparently the whole town had forgotten all about Jill. Of course, the moment she’d made the correction there was a new set of questions to be answered. When did you get back into town? How’s your law practice? Are you married yet?
    In the end, the story of the Manning family was always the same. Kate was a wonderful mother. Cody a lovely child, obedient and so intelligent. And Karl, he was a perfect father and husband. The Mannings were touted as a storybook family. No one could think of a thing negative to say. And no one had seen Cody since that fateful day. It was such a tragedy. Not one of the people she interviewed could believe it happened.
    By the time Jill parked in front of the garage behind her mother’s house, it was almost dark and she was ready to cry with defeat and exhaustion.
    Her mother was waiting for her at the back door. “Where have you been?”
    Jill was taken aback by the question and her tone. “I’ve been following leads. Has something happened?” Her heart fluttered.
    Claire stepped aside so that her daughter could enter through the kitchen door. “I want to know exactly what you’ve been doing all day.”
    Jill tossed her purse onto the oak breakfast table and dropped into one of the Windsor back chairs. She kicked her shoes off. Her feet were killing her. “I told you. I’ve been running down leads on Kate’s case.”
    “You’ve been talking to people,” her mother accused. Her chin jutted out at a defiant angle, her slender shoulders rigid with outrage.
    Jill couldn’t fathom what this was all about. “Yes. I have.” She massaged one foot. “Why are you so upset?”
    “Would you like a glass of iced tea?”
    Talk about split personality. “Sure. I’d love one.” It hit her then that she hadn’t eaten all day and she was suddenly starved. As soon as she caught her breath she’d