EXCERPT FROM BETRAYED - A romantic suspense novel | Page 35

BETRAYED

She’s the receptionist and she’s supposed to get all of the
information.”
“Okay. How do we reach this Madame Ka-Karakova? Maybe
we can help her remember something.” Maude scribbled the
phone number on the slip of paper he thrust at her. The
perturbed officer glanced at his watch again and scanned his
report. “Listen, you go back home now. We’ll take it from here.”
As they got up to leave, Mary Margaret added, “In my Nancy
Drew mysteries, the cops always look for fingerprints. They can
tell all kinds of things from fingerprints, you know.”
Daily rolled his eyes skyward.
“You’re right, Mary Margaret. Sometimes fingerprints give
us clues. So, what are we supposed to fingerprint—your front
doorknob that everyone touches? Or maybe the handle on the
toilet? Come on. Give me a break. Your sister is probably just
spending the night with this Sherry. Maybe she’s even at home
right now wondering where you and your Mom are.”
A sly smile lit Mary Margaret’s face and she said, “You could
fingerprint the telephone. I know she touched it because she
made a call before she left. I heard her voice from upstairs, but I
couldn’t hear what she said. No one but Mama, Laurie or me
ever touches the phone. We never let guests use it, but Sherry
just went ahead and dialed.”
Officer Daily stood up to indicate the interview was over. “A
detective will contact you. Call us right away if she’s at home or
if you hear from her.”
Mary Margaret persisted. “But the telephone—I still think
Sherry—”
Daily cut her off and turned to Maude. “Look, there’s no
report of anyone who matches your daughter’s description in
any of the hospitals or the morgue. That’s good. She’ll turn up.
You’ll see. Then you’ll all have a good laugh over this. Maybe
we’ll find her trying to get to that New York City Ballet
Company. You know, when someone has a dream like the one
you said your daughter had, it doesn’t just die. Are you sure this

29