Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Until you're able to grieve.
I can't picture a single minute for the rest of my life when I won't be grieving for her and wishing I'd done things differently.
"Can you tell me about your sister?"
I blink at her, wondering why any details about her life would be relevant at this point.
I open my mouth to argue that, but it isn't Rebecca's fault that I sent my sister away to die.
I clamp my lips closed, pulling in a deep breath before I begin.
As much as I'd like to only speak about the good things, it isn't Sadie's good behavior and compassion for others that got us to this point. If they really think William is responsible for her death, then the things that she did that might've made him want her gone are pertinent.
I don't want to believe my brother would be capable of such a heinous act, but I wouldn't protect him if he was.
"I told Agent Yarrow about her," I explain.
Rebecca flips pages in her folder before looking back up at me. "I have no notes from Agent Yarrow."
I don't know if those things said in confidence are being kept that way or if he just hasn't had the chance to update the file.
"From an early age, Sadie was a troubled child," I begin.
The limited energy I walked into this building with drains over the next several hours as I go through Sadie's life, realizing that after she left home a handful of years ago, I didn't have much information on her other than how she looked and acted when she would pop up sporadically.
"So we'll just need you to confirm that the house is clear for our guys to come in and place the cameras," Rebecca explains.
"How long will that take?" I ask, now numb to all of it, despite fresh tears threatening behind my eyes.
"Less than an hour. They're fairly quick."
"I'll have to get Faye out of the house," I say absently.
"Faye?" Rebecca asks as she flips through her folder once again, something she has done repeatedly since we began talking.
"Our—" I don't even know how to describe her.
Technically, she's our housekeeper, or at least she was several decades ago, but she's transitioned into so much of a grandmother figure for the family, it feels like I'm lessening her value to us.
"She lives with me," I say simply. "I don't want her to know what's going on."
Shame washes over me at the disappointment I know I'd see in her eyes if she knew what I was participating in.
"We'll let you know in advance when we can come, but we'll work around your schedule. The team won't just show up on your doorstep."
I dip my head once again.
"Now, about the actual event."
Event.
As if it's no big deal to schedule telling a family that they've lost someone they love.
"It'll be several days or the better part of a week before I could even possibly get them to come to the house at the same time," I explain. "Chris is in school so it'll have to be on the weekend, and that complicates things for Will because he schedules a lot of events on the weekend. It's an election year, so he's very busy."
"We understand. Like I said, the Agency will work around your schedule."
"What happens with Sadie while we're waiting?"
"It was suggested that she stay where she is while all of this plays out."
My chin trembles as I think of her being all alone and so far from home, but what other choice do I have?
I've heard people talk about closure, but I don't know that even having her back in South Carolina would provide that for me.
"Okay," I whisper, pulling a tissue from the box sitting in front of me on the table.
"I think that about wraps everything up," she says. "Do you have any questions?"
I shake my head. "None that I can think of."
"Here is my card, and I've written Mike's number on the back. Feel free to call either one of us if you think of anything."
I take the card, looking down at it. "What about Agent Yarrow?"
"Eddie isn't working this case," she says without a hint of emotion in her voice. She seems indifferent to him all the way around, and I wonder how that would make him feel.
Does he want to be a part of this case?
As she stands and holds out her hand for me to shake, I realize that Eddie's job is over. He was working with Mr. Anderson on this one case, to find Sadie. And although this is the absolute worst possible outcome of that, she has been located.
His job is done, and there's no reason for him to be around any longer.
When the door to the conference room opens, I feel my heart shatter a little more when it's Mike who walks through. Would Eddie pass me off to someone else and leave without even saying goodbye?