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CHAPTERTHIRTY
There were no customers milling about in Dunn Art, just the way Jo had hoped. Lily was in the back corner arranging a large canvas, and Jo stepped in quietly. The air was thick with the scent of paint and varnish, a sharp contrast to the crisp autumn air outside. As Jo approached, Lily looked up, her eyes flickering with a hint of anxiety.
“Sergeant Harris,” Lily greeted, her voice slightly tremulous. “What brings you back?”
Jo took a seat on one of the wooden stools near the counter. “I have a few more questions about Ricky Webster,” she said, watching Lily closely.
Lily’s hands paused in their work, and she let out a small sigh. “What about him?”
“It’s about his family, actually,” Jo clarified. “I’m interested in his father and uncle. What can you tell me about them?”
Lily hesitated, glancing toward the door as if expecting someone. “I don’t know much about them. He mentioned his uncle was sort of a black sheep. Been in and out of jail a few times.”
“And Ricky?” Jo probed gently.
“He’s different,” Lily defended quickly. “He’s not like them.”
Jo nodded, noting the defensiveness in Lily’s tone. “Do you know if Ricky ever mentioned anything about his father or uncle that struck you as odd or concerning?”
Lily frowned. “Odd or concerning? What do you mean?”
“You know, like something out of the ordinary.”
Lily chewed her lip, clearly conflicted. “Not really. Ricky doesn’t talk much about his family. He tries to keep his distance from that side of his life. Well, except his grandmother. He dotes on her.”
Lily’s hands moved to a gold chain around her neck, fidgeting nervously. Jo noticed that she wasn’t wearing her usual bandana today. “How well do you know Ricky’s family?”
“I don’t,” Lily admitted. “But his grandmother, Hazel, she’s… kind of eccentric.”
Jo pondered this, her mind racing. “And Ricky, has he ever shown any violent tendencies?”
Lily’s eyes widened. “No, nothing like that. He’s a good person, just… misunderstood.”
Jo observed Lily’s increasing agitation. “Lily, you seem nervous. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Lily shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just… I don’t want to cause any trouble for Ricky.”
Jo softened her tone. “I understand. But anything you tell me could help. Has Ricky ever mentioned anything about his family’s past?”
“Ricky’s always kept his distance from his family’s troubles. He tries to stay out of it.” Lily’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think someone in his family did something to Aunt Mary… I mean, April? I don’t think they even knew her.”
“Maybe not as Mary, but you yourself admitted you didn’t know anything about her once she was April Summers.” Jo didn’t want to tell Lily she was really asking because she suspected the Websters had something to do with her sister Tammy.
Lily nodded slowly, her gaze drifting as if lost in thought. “Ricky mentioned some trouble down in another state… Pennsylvania, I think. Is that where Aunt Mary went after she left here?”
Jo’s mind clicked into place. Pennsylvania was indeed one of the addresses linked to April Summers. “Yes, she was there.”
Lily’s eyes flitted around the empty shop. Her voice lowered, and she leaned closer. “His uncle got into some trouble there. Some bad business.”
Jo’s pulse quickened. A previous serial killer case she’d looked into involving children had been in Pennsylvania. “And Ricky’s father?”
Lily bit her lip, clearly uncomfortable. “Like I said, I really don’t know anything about him.”
As they spoke, Lily’s fingers nervously twisted the gold chain around her neck. Then, as Lily adjusted her top, the necklace slipped out, revealing a crystal ball pendant. Jo’s heart stopped for a moment. The pendant was identical to one her mother had worn, the one Tammy used to love.
“That necklace,” Jo said, her voice steady despite the shock. “Where did you get it?”
Lily glanced down, seemingly surprised by its appearance. “Oh, this? Ricky gave it to me. He said it was special.”
