For a moment, Janie wasn’t sure if Katie was talking about the cat or about Luke. Then Katie got a wistful look on her face and Janie knew she was talking about Luke. The man was a saint. After dinner last night, even while he’d almost hyperventilated over Janie’s day, he’d held Katie’s feet in his lap and given her a massage.
What was it like, she wondered, to have a man love you that much?
To love a man that much...
Katie hadn’t dated much, if at all, before Luke. That was partly Janie’s fault, as Katie had single-handedly taken over raising her. Janie, on the other hand, had dated often. None of the relationships lasted, though. And no one had ever put a wistful look on her face.
Katie waddled away, one hand rubbing the small of her back.
Last night, Rafe had said that Janie was a survivor. But Janie had always believed that the only reason she’d survived is because she’d had Katie’s hand to hold.
Getting the residency and going to Africa would accomplish one thing, for sure. Janie would finally be on her own, away from Katie. She’d finally discover if without her sister she’d sink or swim.
If she survived her current nightmare.
Once her art supplies had been washed and put away, Janie headed for the main office. It was one room, with windows on every side, and stood on top of the gift shop. The walls had been a dull brown when Janie had first showed up. Not long after, she’d painted the walls blue and added trees and BAA animals. She’d included all of the animals’ names and the year they arrived at the zoo. Now, when Katie and Luke took guests or business partners up to the office, they could show them the place’s history.
Today, Amanda, her mother and Katie were crammed into the office. Amanda was sitting on the couch, clutching Tinker the cat and crying. Katie was signing to her frantically, words like calm you, no afraid, brave, job need done.
Janie could sign, too, just not as well as Katie. They’d learned ASL at a neighborhood church when they were both young and searching for a safe place to escape to. So anytime the church offered a community workshop or class, the Vincent girls signed up. Consequently, Janie could sign, read music, build birdhouses and complete any obstacle course for ages twelve and up.
If possible, Amanda’s mother looked more scared than her daughter. Katie, who always knew the right thing to do, relayed to Janie, “Amanda heard about Professor Reynolds on the news. She thinks maybe there’s something about the case she should share.”
Amanda started signing frantically, too fast for Janie to follow. Katie did lots of nodding. Amanda’s mother rested her head in her hands and moaned, “I was sure Tommy was getting into trouble.”
Amanda kept signing, and Katie interpreted for Janie. “Tommy and Derek were friends. Sometimes, Tommy would give her and Brittney a ride home from school. Often, Derek would be in the car. That’s how Tommy and Brittney met.”
This was no surprise to Janie. Rafe had shared as much. “Did they date?” Janie asked.
Katie didn’t even bother posing the question to Amanda, as she’d already given her the answer. “No, Brittney liked someone else. Amanda’s not sure who.” Apparently, in the time it had taken Janie to get from the bears’ enclosure to the main office, Amanda had done nothing but sign her story.
“Did the police ask you about all of this?” Janie signed to Amanda.
Again, rapid-fire answers came from Amanda’s fingers. Janie gave up trying to follow.