Stolen Daughters by Carolyn Arnold (top novels TXT) 📗

like he’s taunting you. He obviously wants you to know that he can get to you. A threat? Also, to put it on Lindsey’s grave…” Trent winced. “That’s like him saying he knows your darkest secrets.”

She highly doubted that. She harbored some doozies.

“And I know how you feel about investigating the people in Fox’s life,” he added, “but what would make a one-off killer leave a note like that? I mean, it seems obvious it’s from him, and he sounds like someone who intends to kill again.”

“Just striving to keep an open mind.” Maybe if she said it enough, she’d sincerely view Shannon’s murder from a broader perspective.

“How do you think he found out where your daughter’s grave is?”

“Don’t know. I do know that I was in the news back in January, and what happened to my family was made public knowledge—again. He could have found their obits.”

“So he’s a local.”

“I’d say that’s a safe bet.”

Trent pulled into the driveway of a townhouse that was one of many on a string.

“Before we go to Keira’s door, bring up her basic info.” Amanda gestured to the onboard laptop.

Trent clicked away, leaving the car—and the AC running. It was turning out to be a warmer day than yesterday.

A few seconds later, he said, “Pretty straightforward. Thirty-nine, married, no record.”

“All right. And is she Shannon’s only sibling?” She hadn’t had a chance to ask before now.

“Yeah.”

They got out of the vehicle and knocked on the door.

A woman answered. She had long, brown hair, a high forehead, and a round face. “Can I help you?”

What was about to follow was the worst part of the job. Telling people that their loved one had died had been a painful exercise before she’d lost her husband and daughter. After, even worse. There were times it felt like she was reliving that horrid day.

“Mrs. Keira Norris?” Amanda asked.

“Yes.”

“I’m Detective Amanda Steele, and this is Detective Trent Stenson, with the Prince William County PD. We need to talk with you for a moment about your sister, Shannon. Would we be able to come in and sit down?”

Tears sprang to Keira’s eyes. “Tell me she’s okay. Please, tell me.”

“If we could please come inside,” Amanda petitioned. Informing a person while they were sitting was easier on everyone. Shock had been known to cause people to faint or collapse.

Keira licked her lips and let them enter. She dropped on a couch in the living room.

Amanda and Trent followed her there and sat in a couple of chairs.

“We’re sorry to inform you that your sister, Shannon Fox, was found murdered in her home this morning.” Normally, at this point, Amanda would say how the person died, but they didn’t know the exact cause yet.

“Murdered?” Her voice was small, and she blinked rapidly, her eyelashes wet. “How, and who would…?”

“We were hoping that you might be able to tell us if your sister had any enemies,” Amanda said.

She sniffled, tears streaming down her face, and her eyes blanked over. “Who, ah, who found her?”

It wasn’t uncommon for the notified to drift, and Amanda would honor the woman’s feelings by answering her question. She’d return to hers shortly. “A friend of hers named Bethany Greene. Apparently, Bethany was there to pick your sister up for a yoga class they do together. Did you know your sister did yoga?”

“Oh, yeah. Shannon loved it, not that I ever got the appeal. I know Beth too. She’s a good lady and was good for Shannon.”

She’d answered Amanda’s next question without knowing it.

Keira went on. “You think it was a home invasion? A robbery? Shannon never had anything worth stealing. How did she—” She gripped the collar of her shirt.

“We don’t know exactly how yet, but we’re still investigating. We’d like to know if you’re aware of anyone who might have wanted to hurt her.” She was finally able to circle back to her initial question.

Keira pinched her nose, and Trent grabbed the tissue box next to him and took it to Keira.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” Trent returned to his chair.

Keira sniffled and blew her nose a few times.

Amanda joined her on the couch. “Did you know of anyone?” she prompted gently.

“I never…” Fresh tears fell, and Keira dabbed her nose. “I never would have thought it would come to this.”

Amanda straightened up and leaned toward Keira. “What, Mrs. Norris?”

“She, uh…” Keira twisted the tissue in her hand. “She got messed up with some nutjob a few years ago. It began with mental games, then he got more and more controlling and aggressive. When he started hitting her, that’s when she left.”

Amanda had a bad feeling where this was going. Abusive men didn’t typically let their women go without a fight. “Did he come after her?”

“Oh, yeah. Repeatedly. He threatened to kill her. Also repeatedly.”

Amanda glanced at Trent. This was why they had to keep an open mind. Bethany Greene hadn’t mentioned anything about this relationship, but it was possible that Shannon had kept it from her. Maybe due to shame, like she felt she deserved the abuse for some reason. It could also be as simple as Shannon believing the guy was in her past. She was just about to ask for this guy’s name when Keira spoke again.

“Maybe he did this to her?” Another bout of crying. “He’s still around.”

Amanda’s skin tingled. “As in recently?”

Keira nodded. “Last week.”

“We’re going to need his information.”

“No worries there. If he killed my sister, you nail that son of a bitch!” Her anger toward her sister’s abuser—possible killer—burned hot but morphed quickly back to grief for her sister. Her face became shadows, and her eyes vacant. “He was freaking obsessed with her, even though he’d apparently hooked up with some other woman. Not that it stopped him from showing up at Shannon’s door from time to time. She told me I was making too much out of it, and that she had it under control.” Keira bit her bottom lip.

“Did she get a restraining order against him?” Trent asked.

Keira shook