“Yes, yes, you’re right, dear. Come in. How are you doing?”
“I’m hanging in there as best I can.” The image of Vickie’s body laid out on the ground still haunted me.
Beatrice grabbed my hand and led me inside. After Vickie had disappeared, it had been hard coming to her home, but I’d forced myself. Her bedroom was exactly as she had left it—neat and pristine. It broke my heart knowing Gladys had kept it that way so when Vickie found her way home, she’d have all her familiar things around her.
We turned the corner, and my heart hurt at the sadness in the room. It made the situation feel so real. Doug’s arm was wrapped around Gladys as he whispered something in her ear. He must have left the precinct after getting the official report. Since the investigation involved the police chief’s daughter, they had escalated it to the top. At least Vickie hadn’t been tortured. At least she hadn’t suffered. If she’d been tortured and then killed, it would have shattered us.
Gladys noticed me and said, “Oh, my sweet Sydney. Thank you for coming. Come here.”
“I brought you a little comfort food. I know it might not be the best time, but I made some fudge this morning.”
It seemed a little stupid to bring fudge, but I’d had nervous energy to expel before I stopped by. Gladys took the tin and touched my cheek. “Vickie was so lucky to have you as a friend.”
“No, I was the lucky one.”
At least her death had been painless. That was what I had to tell myself to keep from letting the sorrow overtake me.
“Hey, Doug.”
“Come here, punkin pie.”
With the recent loss of my grandfather, the use of my nickname still made me ache. When I’d arrived at his house and seen his cruiser in the driveway, I’d thought about leaving. I wasn’t sure how mad he might still be at me for the jump drive, but it seemed like it was water under the bridge.
Doug released me and shook his head, fighting the emotion. “At least we know, right?”
“Yes, at least we know. Vickie would want everyone to have peace.”
The doorbell rang. Beatrice leaned on her cane as she stood, but I put
my hand on her shoulder. “I’ll get it.”
“Will you stay for lunch? We want to share our thoughts about the funeral,” Gladys asked.
“Yes, as soon as I see who’s at the door, I’ll help get things set up.”
When I opened the door, Wesley was wearing a solemn look. “I heard.”
I stepped outside and shook my head. “Oh, Wesley, I hate this for them. For us.”
Wesley brought me close and kissed the top of my head. “I know. I still can’t believe it. What was she doing down there?”
For a second, I wanted to tell Wesley what I had found, but I kept quiet. Telling him only involved him and complicated matters with Mike. If Wesley knew that Mike knew and the truth about me taking the jump drive and copying it ever came out, it would cost Mike his job. That wasn’t something I was willing to gamble.
“I don’t know. If the police still had the jump drive, it might have the answers. But someone broke in and stole it.” I wiped a few tears away and took a step back. “Thanks for coming to my rescue last night. I was so stupid.”
Wesley cocked his head. “The jump drive was stolen? When? How?”
“I don’t know the specifics. I didn’t think it was the right time to ask Doug with Gladys there. They also took my letter and coin. Beatrice just told me.”