Page 103 of Bring Them Home

“You too.”

He hugged her and kissed her cheek before walking away.

She stood there for a few seconds and eventually made her way to Trent.

“You okay?” he asked her.

“Honestly? I’m better than okay.”

He smiled at her. “Really? Why’s that?”

“It just wasn’t meant to be. It’s no one’s fault.” She walked ahead of Trent, heading toward the car. While a part of her was saddened by the breakup with Carter, she’d always known their time was limited. She figured they had longer, but it was what it was. She’d miss his friendship, but she might just do herself a favor and wean herself off men for a while. That is unless she could find a way to be with the man she wanted. But until then, she’d do what she did best. Focus on the job and on the most important person in her world, Zoe.

EPILOGUE

One Week Later

Sundays were typically family day. Dinner at Amanda’s parents’ house was a tradition, but today, she intended to make it count even more. She’d picked up Zoe that morning and was with her on the couch now. The girl snuggled against her side as they watched Frozen. While Amanda would normally take that as a sign that Zoe had regressed in her grief, it didn’t feel that way when Zoe had asked if they could watch it together. There was a subtle slant to her request, as though acceptance was moving in.

Zoe was doing better than ever since Amanda told Zoe that she and Trent caught her teacher’s killer and found his family. She wasn’t deceiving herself to think the darker feelings wouldn’t rise up again, but when they did, Amanda would be there.

Upon hearing Amanda’s update, Zoe had beamed and said, “You’re like a superhero, Mom.”

Tears threatened, and Amanda turned to humor and mocked offense. “Just like?”

Zoe giggled. “No, you are!”

Then it had been Zoe’s suggestion to watch the movie. They had eaten ice cream, half of which ended up on Zoe’s outfit, requiring a change of clothes. But pajamas were far comfier anyhow.

Amanda’s mind drifted to the past week. They had informed Malone about their chat with Hernandez and what he’d said about US Marshal Russell Holden. Malone had made another call to the director, but she couldn’t leave it at that. An epiphany had prompted her to call Detective Briggs. It had been two days, and she still hadn’t heard back from him.

Amanda turned to Zoe. “What do you say to popcorn?”

“Yay!”

Amanda paused the movie and got up to make some. “Coming right up.”

She stuck a bag in the microwave and pulled out her phone. It was convenient for her that her PJ bottoms had pockets. Still no message from Briggs. It was Sunday, and she should have let him be, but she just couldn’t let it go. She called his cell phone, and he answered on the first ring.

“Amanda? I was just getting ready to call you.”

“Good news?”

“Depends how you look at it. But I ran through the footage from the camera on Hernandez’s rural property again. That photograph you sent me of the US marshal looked familiar, and sure enough…”

Tingles ran through her. It sure sounded like her hunch was paying off. She’d thought digital proof might confirm Holden had been in contact with Hernandez.

“Mom?” Zoe called out from the living room.

“Just a minute, sweetie.” Back to Briggs, Amanda said, “So Deputy Russell Holden was there?”

“Yes, during the time Abigail McGee and the Archers would have been.”

“He came for his payoff.”

“My guess. It’s surprising he lived to tell about it. But I have more.”

Amanda leaned against the counter. There was still a minute left on the timer for the popcorn. It was like time had slowed down to a crawl.