Chapter 29
TWENTY-NINE
The next morning, Amanda woke up and pressed on in a daze. Zoe’s story was fixed in her brain. Even for a ten-year-old, the emotional punch was strong. The fear, the sadness, the anger… all of it came across. There were also the images and memories haunting her from last night.
When Amanda had gone to fetch Zoe to make up the pizza, she was lying on her bed hugging her stuffed dog, Lucky.
It was with the girl when she’d witnessed her parents’ murders, and became a support for her in the months after their deaths.
Years had passed since the last time Amanda saw her with it.
She decided it was best to say nothing about it, honoring Zoe’s space.
But after dinner, Amanda wanted to talk, to fully open up to her daughter.
She told Zoe about Nathan and the fact she could no longer have children.
She thought it was important to broach this subject before the therapist appointment in case it was something that Zoe wanted to discuss.
“Is that why you wanted me? Because you couldn’t have your own?” Zoe’s eyes had filled with tears, as if she were a second thought.
Amanda had taken her hands into hers. “I wanted you because I fell in love with you from the moment we met.”
Zoe had hugged her, melting against her. But just as Amanda was letting herself sink into the embrace, Zoe pulled back.
There was a lot being said in Zoe’s silence, but Amanda appreciated she couldn’t force the girl to talk. Nor did she want to. This was her grief, her process. Amanda could only be there to help her navigate the storm.
Amanda waited until after dinner to tell Zoe that they were expected at her therapist’s office. She handled that news and the appointment better than Amanda had expected. Zoe was still scheduled to return next Thursday evening unless something arose that necessitated a faster follow-up.
Dr. Tanner had read Zoe’s story because Zoe said it was all right for her to. Amanda had a few minutes with Dr. Tanner after Zoe’s time ended.
“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this, but her teacher’s murder has brought her past wounds to the surface,” Dr. Tanner told Amanda.
“I feared it would, and that’s why I called your office.”
“It was the best thing you could have done, and it meant a lot to her that you came along.”
The therapist’s words were still filtering through Amanda’s mind when she dropped Zoe off at school and headed for Hannah’s Diner.
Their parking lot was packed, and she debated whether it was worth waiting in line.
But there would be a Hannah’s coffee on the other end.
After the last twenty-four hours she’d had, she could use the pick-me-up.
Coffee was comfort in a cup. She didn’t trust anyone who said otherwise.
Amanda’s phone rang just as she got out of her car. Trent’s name splashed on the screen, and she answered. “Good morning.”
Trent reciprocated the greeting and added, “I’ve got a potential lead on Bill Johnson.
I came in early this morning and dug deeper into him and his family.
His father is deceased, but it turns out Bill’s mother lives out near Haymarket.
The woman is eighty-two. It’s a feat she’s living on her own still, but I’m thinking it’s possible Bill and Peggy Johnson could be holding Valerie and Brooke there without the older woman’s knowledge. She does have some land.”
Amanda turned back around and got into her Honda. “Let’s head out there and see. I’ll meet you at Central in ten.”
“I’ll be waiting.” With that, he ended the call.
As she left the lot, she thought it would be worth missing out on a Hannah’s coffee if the detour saved a woman and her daughter. She hoped to hell that would be the case.
Amanda knocked on the door of the farmhouse, and footsteps padded toward them. Then stopped on the other side.
“Who is it?” a woman asked. Her voice was frail.
Janet Johnson. “Prince William County PD, ma’am,” Amanda responded, and the door was cracked open.
An elderly woman had her bright blue eyes fixed on her and Trent. “Yes? What’s the matter?”
“Just to confirm, are you Janet Johnson?” Amanda asked her.
“This is my home, so, yes.”
“We’re Detectives Steele and Stenson. We’re looking for your son, Bill Johnson. Is he here?” There was no black cargo van in the driveway, but there was a barn out back.
“No.”
“Have you seen him recently?”
“Yes. He left about a half hour ago.”
Would he leave if Valerie and Brooke were on the property? Amanda wasn’t sure if it would stop him. He could have them secured somewhere he didn’t fear his mother would find them. It was even possible that Peggy was here watching over them. “Was he here with Peggy?”
Janet balled up her face and spat on the front porch, just missing Trent’s shoe. “That woman is nothing but trouble. She’s not welcome here.”
All right… Though Peggy could be here, kept out of Janet’s sight. “Would we be able to look around your property, ma’am?”
“What for?”
“Your son and Peggy are persons of interest in a police investigation.” Something told Amanda that holding back specific mention of abduction and murder was the wise course. “You said that Peggy is trouble. What did you mean by that?”
Janet thrust out her chin. “Just that. Always talking like a smart-ass and putting grandiose ideas into my boy’s head. She’s why he’s broke.”
Nothing illegal by the sound of it. Not that this dampened Amanda’s suspicion about Peggy. “So, could we look around?”
“No.”
“May I ask why not?” Amanda said.
The woman stiffened her shoulders. “You can ask all you want, but this here is my property. You live as long as I have, you’ll see all sorts of injustices.
There are thousands of innocent people sitting on death row as we speak.
It’s an absolute tragedy. So, no, I don’t want you poking your nose in my business and making up evidence against my son.
I’d like you to leave immediately.” Janet closed the door in their faces, not giving them a chance to respond.
Amanda stood there for a second or two, stunned.
“Not the reception I expected,” Trent said.
“Me neither.” Was the woman covering up for her son and former daughter-in-law, or naive to think her flesh and blood could do no wrong?
Amanda thought again of the barn. Were the Archers in there?
Janet wouldn’t likely know anything about it if that was the case.
She didn’t see the older woman taking a trip out back, regardless of how well she got around. Amanda headed toward the barn.
“What are you doing?”
“I was just being polite asking Ms. Johnson for her permission to look around. We have every right to do so from outside, but if we see just cause, then that changes.” As she neared the structure, she called out, “Valerie? Brooke?”
No sounds flagged. All that hit her ears was birdsong, the breeze rustling the leaves of nearby trees, and the odd vehicle that drove down the road.
“If they’re here, I can’t see any proof of it.” Trent pressed his lips.
“Me neither.”
They returned to the car, and Trent said, “I found it strange she never asked why her son and daughter-in-law were of interest to the police.”
Amanda tried again to picture the elderly woman being part of the conspiracy and couldn’t. “I’m not sure it means anything nefarious. I just don’t think she wants to know. After all, the less she hears, the more she can defend her son.”
“Nothing like a mother’s loyalty, I guess.”
With the devoted ones… Despite how Amanda could empathize with the woman’s stance as a mother herself, it was beyond frustrating they weren’t any closer to finding Valerie and Brooke.
Her phone rang once she was in the car and doing up her seatbelt.
The caller’s identity had her answering on speaker. “Detective Steele.”
“Officer Jensen. I’m posted down the street from Bill Johnson’s house. You’ll never guess who just returned home.”
“Detective Stenson and I will be right there. Well, in about forty minutes.”
“Should I approach him, bring him in?” Jensen asked.
“No. Hold off. But if he goes to leave, tail him.”
“You got it.”
Amanda ended the call and turned to Trent. “Time to get some answers.”
“You could have just had Jensen bring him in.”
“I could have, but I want to have a look around his property for myself.”
“Can’t blame you there.” Trent got them moving.
As the Johnson farmhouse faded in the rearview mirror, Amanda’s gut clenched. Had they just left Valerie and Brooke behind?