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He winced. “Goth?”
“Uh-huh. But it didn’t last long. I just let her do her thing and didn’t say much about it. Even when she came home one afternoon from school with jet-black hair.” She shook her head and gave a small smile. “I was horrified, but I didn’t say anything except that change wasn’t always a bad thing and I’d get used to it.”
He gave a small laugh. “What did Bethany say?”
“She was miffed that I didn’t blast her and give her the argument she wanted.” She cut her eyes at him. “This whole Goth thing was an attempt to get me to tell her your name.”
His eyes lost their smile. “Did it work?”
“Almost,” she whispered. “But I just couldn’t. Not at that time. In spite of having a dad for a preacher, I was a new Christian and was just learning my way. I had to go at my own pace.” She sighed. “But I did sit her down and we had a long talk about you.”
“Minus the name, of course.”
“Yes, minus the name.” She looked out the window.
“But it seemed to help. After that, she let the dye grow out and stopped wearing black all the time. Now her favorite colors are gold and green.”
Mason drew in a deep breath. The more she told him about Bethany, the more he wanted to meet the girl. He just hoped Georgia was the one that was going to make that possible. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Mason opened the door and climbed out of the car. Lacey did the same and they walked side by side up the path to the front door.
Lacey reached out a finger and pressed the doorbell.
The girl he’d just questioned a few hours earlier opened the door with a smile that quickly turned into a frown when she saw him. When her eyes landed on Lacey, the frown tightened into a look of fear. “Ms. Gibson? Have you found Bethany?”
Lacey took the girl’s hand and gave her fingers a squeeze. “Not yet, hon. And that’s why I really need to talk to you. Is it all right if we come in?”
Georgia licked her lips, looked over her shoulder then back at them. “Um, sure. I guess.”
Lacey noticed that fear still lingered in Bethany’s friend’s gaze. Georgia led them to a nice-sized living area. The white walls and French doors made it seem larger than it actually was. The tan leather couch and matching love seat complemented the room.
“Do I need to get my mom?”
Mason gave her a comforting smile. “Not unless you want to. I’m not here in an official capacity.” He glanced at Lacey. “I’m here to support Bethany’s mother, I guess you could say.”
“Okay. Well, just let me tell her you’re here. I’ll be right back.”
True to her word, she returned within seconds and said, “Mom said you could talk to me.” She sounded like she wished her mother had refused.
Georgia waved them to the sofa while she chose the cushioned rocker on the opposite wall. One bare foot tapped the floor in a silent nervous gesture.
Lacey looked the girl in the eye and leaned forward. “Please, Georgia, tell us what happened the night of the wreck. I know Bethany was there—and you were, too. Please, please, be honest. Right now, you’re my only hope of finding Bethany.”
Georgia swallowed hard and tears filled her eyes. “Ms. Gibson, I’m sorry…I…”
“Tell the truth, Georgia.”
The quiet voice filled the room. Lacey looked to her left to see Georgia’s younger brother standing in the connecting door that led to the kitchen. He was about thirteen years old and a male copy of his sister from his dark curls to green eyes.
Georgia’s nostrils flared and she blinked rapidly. “Go away, Nate.”
Her words lacked force and didn’t faze the young man. Shoving his hands into the front pockets of his khaki cargo shorts, Nate stepped toward Georgia. “You were there that night. I saw you slip out and get in the car with Kayla.”
Lacey breathed a surprised gasp, and Nate turned toward her. “I think Bethany was in the car that night, too. There was someone else in the passenger side. Could have been her.”
“Why didn’t you say anything before this?” Lacey asked.
