Chapter 44
Jennie decided to walk out with Sean as he returned to the lobby. It was much quieter now, somber. The maid of honor had no doubt told the others what she had overheard. But they didn’t know the whole story.
“Are you okay?” Mrs. Grayson walked, speaking to Jennie.
“Yes, I’m all right,” Jennie replied.
“I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Grayson said. “I’ve experienced it as well. It’s more common than you think. I know it doesn’t feel like it, though.”
“Thank you,” Jennie said.
Mrs. Grayson nodded and then returned to her husband’s side. As everyone’s attention slowly drifted back to Sean, he struggled to summon the strength needed to keep calm. He didn’t think he could do it, and then Jennie squeezed his hand, and he took the leap anyway.
“This wasn’t the vacation we expected,” Sean said. “None of us did. We all have our baggage, our secrets, things we don’t want anyone to know. It’s my job to uncover those things when I’m on a case. I do it because that helps me find the truth.”
He looked at Jennie, and then she smiled encouragingly.
“The truth is that we lost our baby last week. I don’t tell all of you this because we’re looking for sympathy, but because I want you to understand that we all have our own burdens.
“I’m doing everything I can to find the missing girl and the murderer. But investigations take time. And I don’t have the resources I would normally have access to right now.
“But I’m not quitting. Not until the case is closed. And if that means I have to keep working on it after the snow is cleared, then so be it. Because I will find the truth, no matter how long it takes me.”
The lobby remained silent, and then Mr. Grayson cleared his throat.
“I’m sorry,” Mr. Grayson replied. “This has been difficult for us as well.”
“Me too,” Ben replied. “Sorry, I mean.”
Sean was glad the temperature had come down, and now that things were leveling out, he told everyone to return to their rooms and said food would be served soon, but one person lingered.
It was Margaret Maynard.
“I’m sorry for what happened,” Margaret said. “There is no greater grief you can have than the loss of a child.”
“Thank you,” Jennie said
Margaret nodded, and while Sean thought that might be it, she continued to linger.
“Is there something else?” Sean asked.
“Um, yes,” Margaret said nervously. “I was hoping to speak to you privately.”
Sean wasn’t sure what the mother had to tell him, but considering the day he’d had, Sean braced himself for the unexpected.