What Janie Saw(58)

                Apparently, Rafe hadn’t slipped the question in as slyly as Janie had thought. “His little sister goes to Adobe Hills Community College and was friends with Brittney Travis. I’m wondering how well Tommy Skinley knew Brittney.”

                “If Brittney’s parents had any say, not too well,” Bob guessed. “Tommy’s a bit older than Brittney, who was the same age as Amanda.”

                Rafe’s mother showed up with two plates, and Bob, somewhat reluctantly, excused himself.

                After taking a few bites, Rafe said, “A few days ago, we got lucky at Derek’s. Usually it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.” He looked Janie full in the face. “We got lucky because of you.”

                “You’d have found the art book eventually.”

                “But it would have taken more time. You sped things up. And, I was thinking of the shoe, not the book.”

                Rafe finished his last pancake before Janie had managed one. He ate without glancing at his food—his entire attention was on Janie.

                If Janie were to describe Rafe, she would use the word driven. Driven to solve the case of Brittney’s disappearance, that is.

                She was starting to wonder what kind of man he’d be without the badge. Or did he ever put it down?

                He checked his watch. Janie put down her fork, appetite gone.

                “Where do the Travises live?”

                “About five minutes from here. Right behind the high school.”

                Which was right across from the police station. Janie just knew there’d be a side trip and probably more mug shots to pore over. She’d already looked at hundreds of Chads and Chrises. One thing was for sure, those names were ruined for her. She’d never meet a new Chad or a new Chris and not consider him a suspect.

                She stood. “What time, exactly, are the Travises expecting us?”

                “Twenty minutes ago,” Rafe admitted.

                Before he could stand, his cell rang. “I expect that’s Mr. Travis. They... Well, they’re really hoping you can find something that will help.” He quickly answered the phone. “Salazar.”

                Janie sat down again. She’d be walking into a room to face two people—terrified parents—desperately hoping she could make a difference, when in all likelihood, she’d accomplish nothing. There was no body, so they had to be hoping that somewhere, somehow, Brittney was alive. Since there was no reason for Janie to lie, they had to be terrified she’d read the truth in Derek’s book.

                She considered the drawing she’d left in her kitchen. For the first time, she’d created something she didn’t want the world to see, didn’t want Brittney’s parents to see.

                “You’re kidding.” Rafe was half-turned from the table. His whole body had gone rigid. He clutched his phone as if it were a weapon.

                Janie had to remind herself to breathe.

                “Janie’s here with me,” Rafe said. “We’re at the Corner Diner.” He stopped talking and listened, then snapped. “Please say you’re kidding.”

                Finally, Rafe glanced up from his phone and noticed her eyes were on him. Janie had to admire his grit. He didn’t even seem flustered. Finally, he ended the call with a terse, “I’ll get back to you.”