Chapter 7
In the car, Jolene kept dialing Kathleen’s number. Looking anxiously at David, she said, “It’s still turned off. Kathleen never goes this long without answering her phone.”
“Don’t panic yet. Let me call Bowen,” David said while driving.
The phone rang for a long time before someone picked up.
“David?” Bowen’s voice sounded strange–low and exhausted.
“Bowen, is Kathleen with you?” David asked urgently. “Her phone is off, and we can’t find her. Mr. Foreman said she transferred all her assets to Yve. We’re worried she might…”
There was silence on the other end for several seconds. Finally, Bowen asked, “David, Jolene, w–where are you right now?”
Jolene grabbed the phone. “We’re on our way to your house. Bowen, is Kathleen there? Is she okay?”
“You should come quickly.” Bowen’s voice dropped even lower.
Jolene’s heart was pounding. “What’s going on? Did something happen to Kathleen? Say something!”
“Jolene, y–you’ll understand when you get here. Drive safely.”
The phone went dead.
Jolene looked over at David, and both their faces had gone pale.
“Drive faster!” Jolene shouted. “Something’s definitely happened! My baby girl-”
п
About 20 minutes later, they pulled up in front of the Liddells‘ residence. The front gate was wide open, and a black from the funeral home.
“No…” Jolene’s knees buckled. “No, this can’t be happening!”
Sat
the driveway-
H
vehicle
They stumbled into the house. In the living room, Yvonne sat on the couch, her eyes red and puffy. Bowen
by the window with his back
“Where’s Kathleen?” Jolene asked, her voice shaking. “Where is she?”
Bowen slowly turned around, his eyes bloodshot. “David… Jolene…”
to
them.
“Where is she?” David braced himself against the doorframe. “Just tell us where she is!” “Upstairs,” Annie said, coming down the staircase with grief in her expression: “Mr. and Mrs.
I’m
sorry
for
your loss.‘
”
“For our loss?” Jolene shrieked. “What are you talking about? What do you mean by that?”
She bolted up the stairs like a woman possessed, with David following behind her.
