Trail of Secrets(56)

                The one he supposed to be Donna smiled. “He’s gone to a meeting in New Orleans and should be back a week from today. I take care of his calendar. I’ll be glad to set it up for you.”

                “Thanks. I’ll call when I see what my schedule is like.”

                The elevator arrived at that moment, and the four of them stepped inside. When the doors opened on the ground floor, Seth allowed the two women to walk out before he and Callie headed toward the front door.

                Once on the sidewalk, Callie glanced up at him. “What do you need to see the D.A. about?”

                “Several things,” he said. “One being why an assistant D.A. just told me she had a meeting with him in his office in ten minutes. The lady who takes care of his calendar said he wouldn’t be back for a week.”

                Callie’s eyes widened. “Abby Dalton lied to you?”

                “Yes.”

                “Why would she do that?”

                “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”





                                      NINE

                On Saturday afternoon Callie hummed a familiar tune as she folded her laundry and put it away. She picked up a pair of capris and frowned when she remembered these were the pants she was getting ready to buy when she’d been abducted. She shook her head and tried to think of something more pleasant.

                Her uncle still hadn’t regained consciousness, but his vital signs improved every day. The doctors were now sure it was just a matter of time until he opened his eyes. She looked forward to that happening, but in some ways she dreaded it. That’s when the hard work would begin with the rehab he would need to restart his life.

                “Callie, can you come downstairs?” Seth’s voice echoed up the stairway.

                She opened the bedroom door and called back. “Be there in a minute.”

                Over the past few days, Seth had been busy at work, and she had hardly seen him except for him to drive her to the hospital in the mornings and pick her up later for the return trip home. She’d spent most of her afternoons on the new computer she’d bought after the fire. Fall would be here before she knew it, and she had to get the syllabus ready for each of her classes.

                Somehow working on the lesson plans and assignments for her classes hadn’t given her as much pleasure as it usually did. The uncertainty over Uncle Dan’s condition loomed in the back of her mind. She hoped he would be well enough to be transferred to Virginia before fall classes began.

                She hung the capris in her closet then headed downstairs. Seth sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front of him. He looked up and smiled when she walked in. “Would you like some coffee?”

                “I would, but I’ll get it.”

                He didn’t say anything else until she was seated at the table with her cup. Then he smiled. “Mom just left to meet some of her friends for their Saturday afternoon movie outing. They’re going out to dinner afterward, so she won’t be home until later.”

                Callie nodded. “She told me while we were shopping she had plans. I’m so glad she stays busy. Uncle Dan always has, too. I hope he gets the chance to do it again.”

                “He will. Just give it some time.” He picked up a spoon and stirred his coffee. “It looks like we’re on our own for dinner.”