Chapter 15
Irene sat on the sofa, the family photo albums spread on the coffee table in front of her. Addy was disappointed Irene had begged off the invitation to the Henderson dinner. But Irene just couldn’t face Wyatt Henderson tonight.
The Prescott woman was still missing.
How could Irene possibly look the sheriff himself in the eye, particularly if the subject came up? And it would come up. Everyone was still talking about it. The newspaper printed something about the ongoing case every day.
She had to change the channel each time an update appeared on the news. It was just too painful. All the local channels were avidly following the investigation.
Knowing that woman could be hurt or dead tore at Irene’s heart. She prayed a dozen times a day for Cherry Prescott’s safe return.
If this was her fault.
Irene closed her eyes, fought the tears. Please, please, don’t let this be because of what she had done.
Dabbing at her eyes, Irene opened the oldest of the photo albums. A smile spread across her trembling lips. Addy had been such a beautiful baby.
The pictures of Carl holding her were some of Irene’s favorites. Her husband had been afraid to hold the baby at first. Addy had looked so small in his big hands. From day one she had been a daddy’s girl.
Irene’s heart ached. She wished Carl were here now. He would know what to do.
Don’t you worry none, Irene, it’s all going to be fine.
How she wished she could hear him say those words tonight.
These last ten years without him had been so very difficult. Many times she had considered doing exactly as Addy wanted and moving to Huntsville. Living near her daughter would be so much better than staying here in this lonely old house.
But he would never stand for it.
Irene couldn’t go.
She was a prisoner.
That was what happened when a woman allowed herself to make deals with the devil.
She sentenced herself to hell.