A Merciful Silence (Mercy Kilpatrick #4)(36)

The sight was burned into Truman’s retinas. I’ll never forget either.

Mercy took one of Janet’s hands and squeezed it. “Thank you. I know that was really hard.”

“You have no idea.” Janet’s voice cracked as she wiped her nose and eyes.

Mercy knows exactly what it is like.

“What did Ray do for work?” Mercy asked.

Janet’s shoulders slumped a little as she relaxed, appreciating the change of topic. “Ray worked for an investment firm in Bend. I don’t know his exact position, but he was high up the chain.”

“Which one?” Bolton asked.

Janet named a firm Truman had never heard of.

“Isn’t that the one that was caught up in a scandal last year?” Bolton asked. “Something about falsifying their clients’ reports, inflating how much the investments had returned? I thought they went under.”

“They almost did,” agreed Janet. “A lot of people were fired, and the company paid the fines. Ray was under a tremendous amount of stress, but the company survived.”

“I wouldn’t put my money with them,” Bolton stated. “Did Sharla work?”

“Sharla was a stay-at-home mom, but she was always doing those work-from-home product sales. You know . . . the kitchen gadgets, skin care, and jewelry that you sell to friends. I’ve probably attended a half dozen parties at her house, trying to be supportive of her work. She was a great salesperson. Very outgoing and kind.” Tears appeared again.

“What do you do?” asked Bolton.

“I work at the front desk of the DoubleTree in Bend.” Janet wiped her eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening again.”

Truman caught his breath at her words. Mercy and Bolton both straightened in their seats.

Again?





SEVENTEEN

Mercy struggled to find her voice.

Is she talking about the Hartlage family? How did she find out?

“What do you mean, it’s happening again?” she managed to ask Janet.

The woman turned a tearful face toward Mercy. “My friend’s family was murdered a long time ago. He left them in their beds just like this.”

Mercy connected the dots.

Janet Norris. She was the friend of Maria Verbeek, Britta’s mother. That’s why her name is familiar.

“You’re talking about the Verbeeks,” Mercy stated evenly, trying to hide the shock that reeled through her.

Janet’s eyes widened. “Yes, how did you know?”

“I’ve read the case reports. You said that Maria told you she’d fended off an advance from Grady Baldwin.” What are the odds that Janet is connected to the Verbeeks and the Jorgensens?

It is a small community.

The woman blinked several times as her mouth opened the slightest bit. “You have a very good memory,” she said slowly. “But I never named Grady Baldwin. I only said it’d been a workman. Maria didn’t tell me who it was.”

“You’re right,” Mercy admitted. “I remember reading that now.”

Janet frowned, confusion clouding her eyes. “When did you look at Maria’s case? Why would you? They caught the guy.”

Mercy couldn’t share the investigators’ questions about the Hartlage family. They didn’t have all the pieces yet. “I read it very recently.” She paused, searching for the right words. “All I can say is that we had good reason to review the case.”

The older woman held her gaze for a moment, plainly expecting a better answer.

“I’m sorry, I can’t say more at this point.” Mercy gave her an apologetic look.

“Grady Baldwin didn’t kill those families?” Janet asked in a hushed tone.

“That’s not what I’m saying. Let’s focus on the Jorgensens right now. Have you seen anyone suspicious in the area recently?” Mercy was determined to bring Janet back to the current case.

Janet ran a shaky hand through her hair. “Umm . . . not that I can think of. I can’t see this house from mine, and I can’t see out to the road either. I haven’t had any visitors recently.”

“When did you last talk to one of the Jorgensens?”

“Oh, jeez. It’s probably been at least two weeks. The boys were climbing in my apple tree and I asked them to get down. It’s old and I don’t trust the branches. I sent them home with some cookies because I didn’t want them to think I’m that crabby old neighbor.”

“When did you last speak to Sharla Jorgensen?” Bolton asked.

“I couldn’t tell you. Long time. Around Christmas, maybe?” Janet tipped her head as she concentrated. “They were nice people . . .”

Mercy saw something flash in Janet’s eyes. “But?”

Guilt crossed the woman’s face. “I don’t want to spread rumors.”

The three investigators exchanged glances. There are always rumors. “Spread away,” said Mercy. “We understand that’s what you’re sharing with us.”

“Well, Sharla wasn’t happy. She’d asked me questions about getting a divorce. I don’t know why she asked me—I don’t know anything about it. I’ve never even been married.”

“Did she say why she wasn’t happy?” Mercy asked. Cheating? Money issues?