Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

“Is there something I can help you with?” he asked and the
way he said it proved he was not a personable sort.
“A friend of mine. Josie Bates. She was staying here last
night. She is a very tall lady, so perhaps you’ve found…well,
perhaps you’ve found something of hers. Perhaps she was
injured and already sent on to hospital,” Stephen suggested.
“If you haven’t heard from her you probably won’t. My
condolences.” The man turned away, but Stephen wasn’t done.
“Wait, man! You can’t leave it at that. I would think there
are other families needing information, too. Mr. Reynolds.
Where is he? I’ll talk to him.”
“Mr. Reynolds was in his office last night. There were four
residents and an aide. I’m afraid they are all deceased.” The
man’s eyes never left Stephen’s and while Stephen would have
been happy to contest such a bold thing, the man in white had
no time for games. “I will have to ask you to leave the
premises, sir.”
“Of course. Yes, I see that it would be for the best.”
Stephen stepped back and made as if he intended to go.
Behind him, the man was satisfied and went back to his job.
He didn’t notice that Stephen was walking slowly, considering
that something was not right. Six people dead in the house was
a tragedy, but…
Six…
Six…
Stephen stopped. The number was wrong. There had to be
more than six people in that house if Josie had stayed the
night. Josie, four residents, and one night aide. Certainly
shouldn’t the man have said seven deceased if Reynolds was
also gone?
Stephen swung toward the two cars in the drive. Both were
covered with ash but untouched by the fire. Neither belonged
to Keoloko Enterprises. The residents couldn’t drive. There
was only one night aide. Perhaps this was Reynolds’ car and