Eve tensed. “Evidently?”
“Her aunt didn’t answer her phone when Cara’s advisor tried to call her. But Cara’s friend, Heather Smallwood, saw her aunt waiting outside the school. She must have picked her up without checking her out.” Her lips tightened. “I’ll have to have a talk with Elena Delaney.”
“And so will I.” Eve got to her feet. “Thank you for your help. If you hear from Cara or her aunt, I’d appreciate your contacting me.”
“Of course. I’ll get in touch the first minute I know anything. This is very disturbing.”
More disturbing than she knew, Eve thought grimly as they left the building.
“We’re going to her apartment?” Margaret asked.
“Right. I don’t like the fact that on the morning that photo was published, Cara got suddenly sick, and her aunt decided to whisk her out of school. I think that Elena Delaney knew that the little girl was targeted, and they were hiding out. That photo of the reconstruction was a red flag that made her panic.”
“And you’re afraid she’ll take Cara on the run?”
“It’s possible. I knew that there might be a response from publishing that photo. I hoped it would be positive.” She got into the driver’s seat. “But, yes, we’re definitely going to her apartment and see what we can find out.”
They were only a few blocks from the apartment when Eve’s phone rang. Terry Brandell. She put the call on speaker. “Hello, Terry. Do you have something for me?”
“Yes, I got a phone call regarding the reconstruction,” Terry Brandell said when she picked up. “Nothing very promising. It was from a young girl who said she went to school with a girl who resembled that sculpture. She was all excited at the thought of being part of the case. She kept asking about a reward or her picture in the paper if she could get the family to acknowledge that the dead girl was a relation.”
“And this schoolgirl’s name?”
“Heather Smallwood. She lives in the same apartment building. I told you it wasn’t very promising. The only reason I told you was because you asked me to pay attention to any calls from Carmel.”
“You’re wrong, it’s promising,” Eve said. “Thanks for calling, I’ll get back to you.” She hung up. “It seems that Heather Smallwood had reason to be on the lookout for Cara’s Aunt Elena. She was looking for a payoff.” She pulled to the curb in front of the apartment building. “And all signs are pointing to Cara Delaney. Let’s go find her.”
*
Elena’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as she gave another nervous glance at her rearview mirror.
The tan Toyota was still following her.
And he was no longer trying to hide the fact. When she had pulled away from the school without picking up Cara, any hint of subtlety had ended.
There had been a change, a boldness, a determination in the way he had resumed tailing her. He was not about to let her get out of his sight.
But she had to get out of his sight, she thought desperately. She had to get to Cara. She had promised she would take care of her. She couldn’t leave her alone and at the mercy of the people who had killed her sister.
She might even have to go to the police.
No! She knew better; she had been warned all her life that she mustn’t ever go to the police. Cara wasn’t the only one in danger. She loved her, but Elena’s own family could be slaughtered if she disobeyed the rules.
So find a way to lose him.
And if she couldn’t do that, lead him as far away from Cara as she could …