“He spent the nights before Beth’s death in their guest room, and he didn’t return to the mainland until the day after. We have statements from David and Lainie, the ferry operators, and the driver who took Jed to the boat and back to Black Hall.”
Kate paused, looked out at the harbor. She watched theCape Henlopen—one of the big ferries that went out to Orient Point—back out of the dock, turn, and head south down the Thames.
“Well, I have something to show you,” she said. She reached into her pocket and handed him a small, square sonogram in black and white.
“Okay ... ,” he said, waiting for her to explain.
“I took it from Jed Hilliard’s tent,” she said.
Reid stared at the picture.
“Look on the back,” Kate said.
Reid turned it over, saw that someone had scrawledLove, B.
“Bfor Beth,” Kate said.
“So you think ... ,” Reid began.
“Yes. Jed was the father of her baby,” Kate said.
39
Sam sat on the glider, salt-rusted chains creaking as she pushed back and forth with one toe on the weathered wood floor. Isabel was braiding her hair, and Sam was savoring the closeness when a scratching sound came from under the table beside them. She nearly jumped. Julie crawled out, glanced at them, then disappeared under the faded tablecloth again.
“I see you,” Sam said.
Julie giggled.
“We get it,” Isabel said to her sister. “You’resoadorable. You’re themostprecious. But guess what? Watching people and eavesdropping isn’t nice.”
“I do it, though,” Julie said.
“No fucking kidding.”
“It’s okay, Julie,” Sam said. “Come out and hang with us.”
“I don’t think so,” Isabel said. Sam watched her glare at the rustling tablecloth.
“What’s wrong?” Sam asked. “You okay?”
“I’ll be honest,” Isabel said. “Having you coddle Julie, when I just want to be supportive and understanding ofyou, makes my stomach hurt.”
“I love you both; is that okay?” Sam asked.
“Thinking about the time,” Julie said, her voice muffled by the tablecloth.
“What time?” Sam asked.
“Before the dying, before your mother went to heaven.”
“Julie!” Isabel said.
“Yeah. I think about it too,” Sam said.
Julie poked her head out. She actually met Sam’s gaze and nodded.
Eye contact was really rare. Julie’s face, always pale, was scrunched up with worry and looked translucent, almost bluish. She was obviously really upset, giving Sam a serious needle in her heart. Julie’s so-called friends bullied her. They weren’t patient, and they teased her.
