Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

led from the noisy kitchen. Amelia flipped a hand, indicating a
metal table that had at one time been part of a patio set. It was
rusted and dented. There was a hole in the middle where an
umbrella should be but someone had stuffed it with flowers
that were long dead. Amelia took the chair on the left and
Josie chose the one across from her, checking to make sure the
seat was intact before she sat down. Stephen, not liking the
looks of the third chair, went scrounging in the dark. He came
back carrying a short wooden bench and was barely settled
when Amelia began talking to Josie.
“I didn’t expect ever to see you again after Washington.”
Amelia’s voice was lovely, beautifully modulated, and
confrontational.
“I didn’t know you wanted me to find you,” Josie said.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re here and it’s pretty obvious you
were surprised to see Emily, so I guess he didn’t tell you about
her. I don’t know what you know.”
“I know that you saw me in that hotel room. I know you
could have stuck around and talked to the police. I know you
put me through a lot.”
Josie heard her voice rising and tightening. Where she was
headed wasn’t going to do anyone any good, but Amelia didn’t
mind. She was ready for a fight.
“You aren’t the only one who had a hard time. My dad
killed himself and I couldn’t even stay with him. I was afraid
to talk to the police.”
“There was nothing to be afraid of unless what you two
were doing was illegal. What’s in those bags? Drugs? If that’s
it, then what did it have to do with me?”
Amelia shut her down with a quick, “It’s not like that.”
“Fine. Let’s start at the beginning. Was he really your
father?”
Amelia nodded. “Yes.”