Stranger in Town

CHAPTER 27





My phone rang to a number I didn’t recognize.

“Miss Monroe?”

“Who’s this?” I said.

“Jenny. Do you remember me?”

“From Maybelle’s Market?” I said.

“Yes. I thought I should tell you, Todd went in and talked to the police.”

I knew that already, but I appreciated the call anyway.

“How did it go?” I said.

“They had him sit down with one of those people who draw things.”

“A sketch artist?”

“Yes. He did the best he could. They released the sketch; it’s all over town. But the guy would be long gone by now, so I don’t really know what they think is going to happen.”

“Jenny, could you email me a copy of it?” I said.

“Sure.”

“How’s Todd doing?”

“All right. No one knows it was him. They just know someone came forward.”

I was glad to hear it, but with the feds coming, all that was all about to change. I only hoped Todd wouldn’t suffer too much for it. I ended the call with Jenny and answered another one from Giovanni.

“Have you found your sister yet?” I said.

“Last night.”

He sounded relieved. I was too.

“How is she?” I said.

“In shock, but she’s alive.”

“Did anything happen to her?”

“From what we understand, she was treated quite well.” He paused. “When are you coming back? I want to see you.”

“I don’t know yet,” I said. “Did you find the men who took her?”

He was quiet for a moment before responding.

“Giovanni, are you there?” I said.

“We took care of everything. I’ll be home tomorrow.”

It was just like usual. I asked questions, but only received vague answers. Our relationship had always been one-sided. I recognized that, but I thought in time, it could change, that he’d open up to me, like I had tried to do with him. Funny thing about trying to change a person—it never worked.

“I’d like to know more about what happened,” I said.

“And you will, but let’s talk about it later. Right now, I just want you here with me. Tell me about the case you’re working on.”

Ahh, the switch. Giovanni had mastered changing the subject whenever it suited him, which was every time I asked him something he considered too intimate to reveal. If I pushed him, I would still get nothing, and I knew it.

I told Giovanni about the two missing girls, but left most of the details out. He’d been through a grueling ordeal with his sister, and I wanted him to focus on her for the time being.

“Tell me what I can do to help you,” he said when I’d finished.

“I appreciate it, but I’m fine.”

“If you need anything, just call.”

“I will.”

I ended the call and checked my email for the flyer Jenny sent. It was just like I expected. The mind is a great thing, but in time, even the most vivid memories fade. Two years is long enough for important details to be forgotten. The sketch revealed little in the way of a unique face. There was nothing in the sketch that made the man stand out in any way. He had a square-shaped head, a defined jawline, stubble that hadn’t been shaved in a day or two, and oval-shaped sunglasses. He looked like a cop with a five o’clock shadow. Another dead end.