Where the Forest Meets the Stars(79)

“That was after school had ended?” Jo asked.
“Yes, Ursa was out of school. But Portia’s friend knew of no friend who would drive them to Wisconsin. She also knew Portia and Ursa wouldn’t leave behind their clothing. For a week she pestered the police, but when they finally started asking her questions, she suddenly backed off. She got scared because she also was a drug user and prostitute. The police pretty much dropped it after that.”
“When a little girl’s life was at stake?” Jo said.
“They had no leads, and the mother left a note. And by the second week, they had no evidence to search because Portia’s landlord dumped all her belongings and cleaned the apartment for new renters. Portia hadn’t paid rent for two months.”
“The police shouldn’t have let the landlord do that,” Jo said.
“They realized that two weeks ago when Portia’s body was found in a borrow pit.”
“Jesus,” Gabe said.
“Do they know how she died?” Jo said.
“The body was decomposed, but there’s evidence of trauma on the right side of the skull. Decomposition matched the date she went missing. She probably died the night of June sixth.”
“And Ursa showed up in my front yard on June seventh,” Jo said.
Lenora nodded. “And a week ago you stopped in Effingham for dinner and noticed Ursa seemed afraid of a man. Possibly that man called two men who followed you home. You told the police Ursa said They’ll kill you, too just before the men started shooting.”
“Those men murdered Portia,” Gabe said.
“Probably,” Lenora said, “and we think Ursa saw it happen.”
“Why is Ursa being guarded if the presumed murderers are dead?” Jo asked.
“Who knows if only those two were involved? Maybe the man on the phone at the restaurant took part in the murder. We think Ursa knows who that man is and what happened the night her mother died.” Lenora leaned toward Jo. “To get that story, we need your help.”
“When?”
“Today. Her safety is up to you, Joanna. You have to make her talk.”


33

The ICU gatekeepers opened their doors to the two rogues in their waiting room. But there were rules. They couldn’t discuss what happened the night Ursa’s mother died until Detective Kellen and Deputy McNabb arrived. Ursa’s statement had to be witnessed by law enforcement to make sure she wasn’t coerced. And Jo and Gabe couldn’t tell Ursa they knew anything about her background. Most importantly, they couldn’t reveal that her mother’s body had been found. Lenora said knowing that might alter how Ursa told her story.
As Jo approached the ICU central desk on her crutches, a silvery balloon caught her eye. It was tied to a stuffed tabby kitten. Jo veered away from Lenora Rhodes and Gabe.
“Jo, what are you doing?” Gabe said.
She had to go behind the desk to reach the gifts.
“You aren’t allowed back here,” a man said. “Ma’am . . .”
Jo rested one crutch on her body, grabbed the tabby kitten, and faced the indignant staff. “Why wasn’t this given to Ursa?”
No one answered.
“Do you see this note? It clearly says her name. This would have meant a lot to her, and it’s been sitting out here for a week.” Jo looked around at them. “Why would you keep this from a sick little girl who needs it?”
“We wanted to give it to her . . . ,” a nurse said.
“They weren’t allowed,” Lenora said.
“Why not?”
“I think you know why.”
“You were trying to erase us—Gabe, Tabby, and me. You wanted her to forget us.”
“We thought it would be more painful than helpful to remind her,” Lenora said.
“That’s just wrong. And I’m the one in trouble!” Jo held the kitten against her crutch handle and walked from behind the desk, the balloon fluttering against her head.
Lenora clucked her tongue and shook her head. “Aren’t you a match for Miss Ursa, though?”
They continued down the corridor, past rooms mostly occupied by elderly people attached to machines. Jo’s stomach fluttered with anticipation when she saw the policeman seated next to Ursa’s room. The policeman stood, his hand on his holster.
“It’s all right,” Lenora said. “I’m letting them in.”
The officer gave her a questioning gaze.
“My girl ain’t gonna talk if we don’t,” she said. “I think we’ve established that well enough.”
The officer stepped aside for Jo. Ursa was seated in her hospital bed, remnants of her lunch spread on a rolling table in front of her. She was intently studying the IV in her arm.
“Oh no you don’t, young lady!” Lenora said. “Don’t even think about pulling that out again.”
Ursa looked up guiltily. But when she saw Jo and Gabe, her expression turned to pure joy. “Jo! Gabe!” she said.
Jo moved toward her as fast as the crutches would allow. She put the kitten on the bed and leaned into Ursa’s outstretched arms. They cried and held each other for a few minutes. Then Gabe did the same as Lenora and a nurse watched from the doorway.
When Gabe let Ursa go, Jo showed her the kitten and balloon. “This is from Tabby.”
Ursa pressed the kitten to her cheek. “I love him! He’s like Caesar! Is Tabby here?”
“She was here for a long time, but she had to go back to work,” Jo said.
“You and Gabe were here, too?”
“Ever since what happened,” Jo said.