For several seconds, Amanda could not make sense of the number.<\/p>\n
$250,000.<\/p>\n
It sat beneath Katie\u2019s full legal name in clean black type, surrounded by language that looked familiar enough to be understood and technical enough to feel unreal.<\/p>\n
Detective Reynolds did not touch the first page with his bare hands. He wore gloves and turned it by one corner, his eyes moving slowly from line to line.<\/p>\n
Amanda stood across from him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
He did not answer immediately.<\/p>\n
The uniformed officer remained near the office door, while the second officer moved farther into the hallway to keep watch for Andrew\u2019s return.<\/p>\n
Amanda stepped closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cDetective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds looked up.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt appears to be an accidental death insurance policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda heard the words individually.<\/p>\n
They did not combine into meaning.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Katie?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s ten.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat doesn\u2019t prevent someone from purchasing certain forms of coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda stared at the page.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what we need to determine.\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned another sheet.<\/p>\n
The policy had been issued eight months earlier.<\/p>\n
Amanda recognized Andrew\u2019s name immediately.<\/p>\n
Policy owner.<\/p>\n
Beneficiary.<\/p>\n
Her stomach tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can he be the beneficiary of insurance on my daughter?\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds kept reading.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrew is her stepfather.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe never told me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you sign anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you give him permission?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you ever discuss life or accident insurance for Katie?\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have health insurance. Dental. That\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds reached another page and stopped.<\/p>\n
Amanda saw her own name.<\/p>\n
Beside it was a signature.<\/p>\n
Her signature.<\/p>\n
Except it was not hers.<\/p>\n
At first glance, it was convincing.<\/p>\n
The capital A curled the way she normally wrote it. The last letters of her surname slanted upward. Someone had even copied the small break she often left between her first and last name when signing quickly.<\/p>\n
Amanda leaned closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s fake.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds looked at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re certain?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know my own signature.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is it different?\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda pointed without touching the paper.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe M. I don\u2019t make it like that anymore. I used to, maybe ten years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds followed her finger.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd here. Whoever copied this joined the last two letters. I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
He photographed the page.<\/p>\n
Amanda felt a pressure behind her eyes.<\/p>\n
Andrew had not simply hidden papers.<\/p>\n
He had forged her signature on an insurance policy involving Katie.<\/p>\n
Then Katie saw it.<\/p>\n
Then he followed her toward gymnastics.<\/p>\n
Then she ended up beneath a car.<\/p>\n
The chain of facts was beginning to form something Amanda did not want to name.<\/p>\n
Reynolds continued through the folder.<\/p>\n
There were copies of identification documents.<\/p>\n
Katie\u2019s birth certificate.<\/p>\n
Her Social Security number.<\/p>\n
A school emergency contact form.<\/p>\n
A photocopy of Amanda\u2019s driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n
Amanda felt each one like an invasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had all of this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou recognize the documents?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere were they normally kept?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFireproof box in our bedroom closet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho had access?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrew and me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds turned another page.<\/p>\n
This one showed payment information.<\/p>\n
Monthly premiums had been taken from a bank account Amanda did not recognize.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that yours?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJoint account?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds photographed the routing information.<\/p>\n
Amanda read the bank name.<\/p>\n
It was not the bank she and Andrew used for household expenses.<\/p>\n
She looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has another account?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda laughed once under her breath.<\/p>\n
Nothing about it was funny.<\/p>\n
For years she had assumed Andrew complained about money because they shared all of it.<\/p>\n
He questioned grocery bills.<\/p>\n
He criticized her for replacing Katie\u2019s winter coat before the old one was completely worn through.<\/p>\n
He once spent forty minutes comparing prices because Amanda wanted to replace a leaking dishwasher.<\/p>\n
Apparently he had also maintained a bank account she did not know existed.<\/p>\n
Reynolds turned another page.<\/p>\n
A handwritten note was clipped behind the policy.<\/p>\n
Three dates.<\/p>\n
Three dollar amounts.<\/p>\n
A telephone number.<\/p>\n
And one name.<\/p>\n
Barbara.<\/p>\n
Amanda\u2019s pulse jumped.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does that say?\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds read it silently first.<\/p>\n
Then aloud.<\/p>\n
\u201cBarbara\u2014transfer after payout.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda took a step backward.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds looked at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what this refers to?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen don\u2019t decide yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda put one hand against the desk.<\/p>\n
Barbara had been selfish.<\/p>\n
Controlling.<\/p>\n
Cruel in the way people could be cruel while still insisting they were behaving reasonably.<\/p>\n
But murder?<\/p>\n
Amanda\u2019s mind rejected the word.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe loves Katie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds\u2019s face remained neutral.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes she?\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda looked at him sharply.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we\u2019ll establish that with evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Something about the way he said it made Amanda angry.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re talking about my family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you\u2019re looking at paperwork. I\u2019m talking about people I\u2019ve known for years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds closed the folder temporarily.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd one of those people may have tried to kill your daughter yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
The words ended the argument.<\/p>\n
Amanda turned away.<\/p>\n
Outside the office window, sunlight lay across the lawn.<\/p>\n
She saw Katie there in memory\u2014seven years old, chasing bubbles while Barbara sat under an umbrella complaining about mosquitoes. Andrew had grilled hamburgers. Everyone had laughed.<\/p>\n
Had those moments been fake?<\/p>\n
No.<\/p>\n
That was the frightening part.<\/p>\n
People did not need every moment to be fake in order to betray you.<\/p>\n
The detective\u2019s phone rang.<\/p>\n
He answered.<\/p>\n
Amanda listened to only his side.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGet the footage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t approach him yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes shifted toward Amanda.<\/p>\n
\u201cText me the plate.\u201d<\/p>\n
He ended the call.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTraffic-camera footage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda gripped the desk edge.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the accident?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPossibly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid they find the car?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re working on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means yes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds was silent.<\/p>\n
Amanda understood.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat car?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have confirmation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat color?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA silver sedan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda tried to remember everyone she knew who drove silver.<\/p>\n
Her mind offered too many options.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat kind?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToyota Camry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda went still.<\/p>\n
Barbara drove a silver Toyota Camry.<\/p>\n
Reynolds saw the recognition immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda barely managed the words.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother-in-law.\u201d<\/p>\n
He did not react visibly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat year?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe five years old.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlate?\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda closed her eyes, trying to picture it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is her car now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe said she and Andrew were picking up the cake.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what he told me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds stepped into the hallway and spoke quickly to one of the officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet units to Barbara Reynolds\u2019s address and the bakery on Maple. Locate the Camry. Do not make contact unless necessary. We need the vehicle preserved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda followed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think Barbara hit Katie?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we have a vehicle consistent with hers captured near the scene.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just said the driver didn\u2019t stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe or she didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBarbara would have known it was Katie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda\u2019s hand went to her mouth.<\/p>\n
The room tilted again.<\/p>\n
No.<\/p>\n
There had to be another Camry.<\/p>\n
There were thousands.<\/p>\n
Reynolds returned to the folder.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why we don\u2019t jump ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda looked toward the front door.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long until Andrew gets back?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI should leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Amanda did not move.<\/p>\n
Something in the office had caught her attention.<\/p>\n
The printer.<\/p>\n
A sheet of paper sat crooked in the output tray.<\/p>\n
She stepped toward it.<\/p>\n
\u201cDetective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds followed her gaze.<\/p>\n
The sheet appeared blank except for faint marks near one corner.<\/p>\n
He lifted it with gloves.<\/p>\n
It was the final page of a document printed backward.<\/p>\n
The ink was pale because the cartridge had begun running low.<\/p>\n
Reynolds turned it toward the light.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you read that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda squinted.<\/p>\n
At the bottom was part of an email address.<\/p>\n
Above it, several lines.<\/p>\n
One phrase was visible.<\/p>\n
Claim documentation.<\/p>\n
Reynolds opened the printer\u2019s small digital menu.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know whether this stores print history?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
He photographed the screen.<\/p>\n
A list appeared.<\/p>\n
Insurance Claim Checklist.<\/p>\n
Printed yesterday.<\/p>\n
4:18 p.m.<\/p>\n
Amanda\u2019s skin went cold.<\/p>\n
Katie had entered the office around that time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds looked at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cPotentially very important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda remembered Katie saying she had seen papers in an open drawer.<\/p>\n
Perhaps Andrew had not been reviewing an old policy.<\/p>\n
He had been preparing paperwork.<\/p>\n
Before the accident.<\/p>\n
The detective looked at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid Andrew know Katie would walk to gymnastics?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWas that routine?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThree days a week.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSame route?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUsually.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSame time?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pieces aligned more cleanly than Amanda wanted them to.<\/p>\n
Reynolds continued examining the print log.<\/p>\n
Another document.<\/p>\n
Accidental Death Claim Requirements.<\/p>\n
4:09 p.m.<\/p>\n
Another.<\/p>\n
Beneficiary Verification.<\/p>\n
4:12 p.m.<\/p>\n
Another.<\/p>\n
Policy Exclusions\u2014Traffic Fatalities.<\/p>\n
4:15 p.m.<\/p>\n
Amanda sat heavily in the desk chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe printed instructions for claiming the money before she was hit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds did not soften it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what the timestamps appear to show.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda pressed both palms against her thighs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen Katie walked in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd saw them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPossibly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Andrew knew she saw.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda looked toward the dark jacket hanging near the entryway.<\/p>\n
He had not needed to kill her because she discovered something old.<\/p>\n
He may have been planning what came next already.<\/p>\n
Katie\u2019s discovery might only have forced him to move faster.<\/p>\n
A car door slammed outside.<\/p>\n
Every person in the house froze.<\/p>\n
The officer near the hallway window looked through the blinds.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlack SUV.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda\u2019s breath caught.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrew sometimes uses Barbara\u2019s SUV when she takes the Camry.\u201d<\/p>\n
The officer moved toward the front door.<\/p>\n
Reynolds stepped in front of Amanda.<\/p>\n
\u201cStay here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Footsteps crossed the porch.<\/p>\n
A key entered the lock.<\/p>\n
The front door opened.<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s voice carried through the foyer.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmanda?\u201d<\/p>\n
No one answered.<\/p>\n
He stepped farther inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmanda, where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds signaled to the officers.<\/p>\n
Andrew appeared in the office doorway.<\/p>\n
He stopped.<\/p>\n
For one second, his expression held nothing but surprise.<\/p>\n
Then he saw the open drawer.<\/p>\n
The gray folder.<\/p>\n
Detective Reynolds.<\/p>\n
And Amanda sitting beside the desk.<\/p>\n
All color left his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda rose slowly.<\/p>\n
Andrew looked at her first.<\/p>\n
Then Reynolds.<\/p>\n
Then the folder.<\/p>\n
His gaze remained there half a second too long.<\/p>\n
Reynolds spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrew Reynolds?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew swallowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m Detective Mark Reynolds. We need to ask you some questions concerning Katie\u2019s accident.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s jaw tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you in my office?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is also Amanda\u2019s residence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou searched my private files.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds remained calm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can discuss procedure later.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew looked at Amanda.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou brought police into our house?\u201d<\/p>\n
She stared at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou forged my signature.\u201d<\/p>\n
The muscles in his face changed.<\/p>\n
Not shock.<\/p>\n
Calculation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda pointed to the folder.<\/p>\n
\u201cKatie\u2019s insurance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s eyes flicked toward Reynolds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can explain that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen explain it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot with cops standing here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds said, \u201cYou\u2019re free to speak with counsel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew ignored him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmanda, listen to me. The insurance was for financial protection. Families do this all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou put yourself as beneficiary.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI pay the bills.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou forged my signature.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t forge anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen who signed it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew looked toward the hallway.<\/p>\n
Amanda noticed sweat beginning at his temple despite the cool house.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Mom?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Reynolds spoke before Amanda could.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s something we\u2019d like to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s eyes sharpened.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s at home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou told Amanda you were with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you left?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is her Camry?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew hesitated.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt her house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds\u2019s phone buzzed.<\/p>\n
He read the message.<\/p>\n
His gaze settled on Andrew.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew said nothing.<\/p>\n
Reynolds continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cOfficers are at Barbara\u2019s residence now. The Camry is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew looked toward Amanda.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is the car?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho was driving it yesterday at approximately 5:20 p.m.?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s face became rigid.<\/p>\n
Amanda watched him closely.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you asking me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause a silver Camry consistent with Barbara\u2019s vehicle was recorded near the location where Katie was struck.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew blinked once.<\/p>\n
Too slowly.<\/p>\n
Amanda saw it.<\/p>\n
So did Reynolds.<\/p>\n
Andrew recovered.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are millions of silver Camrys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you have nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda stared.<\/p>\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n
Not concern.<\/p>\n
Not disbelief.<\/p>\n
Not horror that his mother\u2019s car might have been involved.<\/p>\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n
Reynolds stepped closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere were you at 5:20 yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a movie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat theater?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew named it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat seat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat seat were you in?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened in the opening scene?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s mouth opened.<\/p>\n
No answer came.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat theater number?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. Seven? Eight?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat concession did you buy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho tore your ticket?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI used a kiosk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou purchased a paper ticket?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew stared at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds\u2019s phone buzzed again.<\/p>\n
He read the screen.<\/p>\n
This time his expression changed just enough for Amanda to notice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked at Andrew.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe theater has already provided preliminary security footage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s breathing became shallow.<\/p>\n
Reynolds continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou purchased that ticket at 8:47 p.m.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence.<\/p>\n
Amanda felt the truth pass through the room.<\/p>\n
Not proof of everything.<\/p>\n
But proof of one lie.<\/p>\n
Andrew looked toward her.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmanda\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
She stepped back.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou bought it after Katie was in the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can explain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou put it on your nightstand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said I can explain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wanted me to find it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wanted someone to find it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s voice rose.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop turning everything into some insane conspiracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds raised one hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to continue this conversation at the station.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are not under arrest at this moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen get out of my house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds did not move.<\/p>\n
Andrew pointed toward the doorway.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then Reynolds\u2019s phone rang.<\/p>\n
He answered.<\/p>\n
Amanda watched his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes lifted to Andrew.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecure it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He ended the call.<\/p>\n
Andrew said nothing.<\/p>\n
Reynolds placed the phone into his pocket.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour mother\u2019s Camry has been found.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda\u2019s knees weakened.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbandoned behind a storage facility about six miles from here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew stared at him.<\/p>\n
Reynolds continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe front passenger-side headlight is broken.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd,\u201d Reynolds added, \u201cthere is blood on the hood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew\u2019s face collapsed.<\/p>\n
Only for a second.<\/p>\n
But it was enough.<\/p>\n
For several seconds, Amanda could not make sense of the number. $250,000. It sat beneath Katie\u2019s full legal name in clean black type, surrounded by language that looked familiar enough … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sharestory"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=521"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":560,"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions\/560"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onesharedstory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}