Page 154 of Taken Away

Aubrey read it twice. Then a third time.

Moose nudged her shoulder.

She looked down at him.

“I don’t understand.”

Moose rested his head more firmly against her knee.

She reached for her purse.

Eleanor Harper’s business card remained tucked behind her driver’s license.

She pulled it free.

Dialed the number.

The phone rang twice.

“Harper and Associates.”

Frannie’s cheerful voice answered.

“Frannie, it’s Aubrey Langford.”

“Aubrey, honey. How are you?”

Aubrey looked around Mabel’s bedroom. At the open chest. The cards. The records. The letter.

“I’m looking for Declan.”

A pause.

“Everything okay?”

“No.”

The answer came immediately.

Another pause.

Then Frannie said softly, “Hold on, sweetheart.”

A minute later, a familiar Irish brogue came across the line.

“Ah now, tell me you’ve found a body and not just another committee agenda.”

Despite everything, Aubrey laughed. The sound came out shaky.

“Why is that always your opening line?”

“Professional consistency,” he replied. “Keeps expectations low.”

For a moment, neither spoke.

“Aubrey?” His tone had shifted. Less teasing. More careful. “What’s going on, love?”

She took a breath.