Dead Woman Crossing J.R. Adler (early reader chapter books txt) 📖

“Yes,” Kimberley said, immediately regretting giving him her card. He was a nice old man, but she was sure he had nothing of substance to add. He was just a lonely old-timer.

“Have a good one,” Kimberley said to both of them as she left the pharmacy.

“Perfect timing,” Deputy Hill said, getting out of Kimberley’s Ford Explorer. He tossed the keys to her.

“Thanks, Hill. You got a ride back?”

“Bear is gonna scoop me. Sheriff Walker mentioned you potentially wanting some company?”

Kimberley smirked. “All good here. Thanks, though,” she said, walking past him and getting into the vehicle. Deputy Hill nodded and disappeared into the coffee shop.

One down, two to go. Up next was Hannah’s mom, Lisa.

Kimberley knocked on the door. It took nearly a minute for it to open, and when it finally did Lisa stood on the other side, looking worse than she had before.

“Did you find my daughter’s killer?” she asked, her eyes pleading for a yes.

Kimberley shook her head. “Can we talk?”

Lisa deflated like a balloon, but nodded her head, opening the door for Kimberley to enter. The house was messy with dirty dishes and used Kleenexes covering the coffee table. An empty wine bottle sat next to a dish with a half-eaten pizza slice on it. The television had Judge Judy on, but was muted so she couldn’t hear the clever quips. The couch had bed pillows and a comforter on it. Lisa was clearly sleeping out here, drowning her sorrows in wine and television. The floor was covered in baby toys. A Pack ’n Play sat empty in the corner.

“Come sit,” Lisa said as she quickly cleared the couch, tossing the blanket and pillows into a ball in the corner and attempting to pick up all the garbage from the coffee table. “I wasn’t expecting company. Sorry.”

“No need to apologize.” Kimberley took a seat on the couch.

Lisa disappeared with a handful of dirty dishes, tissues, and the empty wine bottle.

“Where’s Isobel?” Kimberley asked, concerned for the child.

“I have her crib set up in my bedroom. She’s asleep in there,” she called out from the kitchen.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Lisa asked, entering the living room, her hands now free of garbage.

Kimberley shook her head. “This will just take a few minutes.”

“Okay.” There was hesitation in Lisa’s voice as she took a seat next to Kimberley.

Chief Deputy King pulled her notepad and pen from her pocket again, readying herself to take notes.

“I talked to Tyler Louis earlier today.”

“And what did that slimeball have to say?” Lisa twisted up her face and folded her arms in front of her chest.

“Lisa, I’m sorry to say this, but Tyler said he’s not the father of Isobel.”

Her mouth dropped open in complete shock. “He said what?”

“That he’s not the biological father of Isobel.”

“How fucking dare he…”

“Lisa, getting upset over this isn’t going to help. I understand this is difficult. He has agreed to submit to a paternity test, and as you’re the guardian of Isobel, I need your permission for her to also submit.” Kimberley tried to convey how important this was to the case. She tilted her chin, held eye contact, spoke in her most direct and soothing voice.

“Absolutely not. I will not have him tarnish my daughter’s reputation.” Lisa shook her head adamantly.

“Lisa, I need you to listen to me.” Kimberley waited until she looked at her. “Tyler seemed very sincere, and he agreed to a paternity test. He also disclosed that that was the reason they had broken up. That when Hannah got pregnant, he was traveling for work, so he couldn’t be the father.”

A single tear rolled down Lisa’s cheek. “Why is he doing this now?”

“He’s not doing this to hurt you or Hannah. He’s doing it to help us.”

“Why didn’t Hannah tell me? I’m her mother.”

Kimberley didn’t answer. It wasn’t a question for her.

Lisa’s eyes went wide. “If Tyler’s not the father, then who is?”

“We don’t know yet. But if Tyler’s not Isobel’s father, then Hannah was clearly hiding this for a reason. Maybe it went sour, maybe she wanted more out of him, a relationship, child support, maybe he’s married. I’m not sure. But it’s a hunch I have to see through.”

Lisa turned her head, staring off into the corner of the living room. She wasn’t looking at anything in particular. She was processing everything, trying to understand it, trying to make sense of it.

“Okay. I’ll agree to the paternity test.” Lisa nodded, still staring off into the corner.

“Good. I do have a few questions for you as well. Are you up for them?”

Lisa blinked back tears and nodded.

“Did you ever watch Isobel at night?” Kimberley held her pen to the pad of paper ready to take notes.

“Yeah, we did a standing overnight once a week, Fridays or Saturdays. It changed depending on my work schedule. On average, I’d say I watched her two nights a week, one overnight.”

“Did she ever tell you what she was doing on those evenings she didn’t have Isobel?”

Lisa tilted her head. “Just that she was running errands or hanging out with friends or something like that.”

Kimberley moved her pen quickly.

“And she never mentioned seeing anyone?” Kimberley paused her note-taking to study Lisa’s face.

She shook her head. “Why wouldn’t she tell me? We were close. I’m her mother. She could have come to me about anything.” Lisa leaned forward, crying into her own lap.

Kimberley put a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, but she knew it wasn’t possible. The only person that could do that for Lisa right now was her daughter.

She stood up from the couch. “I’ll have a deputy get in touch with you tomorrow regarding the paternity test.”

Lisa unfolded herself, looking up at Kimberley, her face wet with tears.

“How’s Isobel been doing?” she asked, hoping to leave Lisa in a better mood.

“She’s still calling out for her mom, but other than that, she’s been sleeping and eating good. I just