Silence: The Faces of Evil Christmas Prequel Read Online Free Page B

miracle she had survived the past twenty-four hours.
    Now her sister was going to kill her.

 
    4
    One day earlier...
    Warrenton, 9:20 a.m.
    “I thought staying the night would be prudent,” Jess explained to her boss. Calling in this morning was essential since she’d opted to stay in the field and follow up with Delia Potter.
    As he rambled on about the case, she sipped her coffee and surveyed the snowy parking lot outside the IHOP. The white stuff had started coming down hard as she’d driven away from the meeting with Potter late yesterday afternoon. With every radio station she perused forecasting a possible ten to twelve inches of snow overnight, staying put had seemed the best plan. Considering the Christmas rush would only add to potential travel issues, she hadn’t wanted to take any chances.
    Sunrise had confirmed she’d made the right decision. The roads were a mess. Since Delia Potter planned a trip to Cincinnati this afternoon to spend the holidays with her family, catching her this morning was imperative.
    Jess glanced at the sky. Puffy white clouds with a hint of gray threatened more of the same. She wondered how many flights would be cancelled. Potter might not be going anywhere after all. Jess was a little surprised she’d been able to obtain permission from the local authorities for the travel despite the ongoing investigation. A quick call to the lead detective who didn’t understand Jess’s surprise had confirmed Potter’s assertion. It was, after all, almost Christmas, he’d reminded her.
    As long as she got what she needed from the lady before she left town, Jess would be happy. She was on the case now and she wasn’t about to allow this to be the one she failed to wrap up with a nice, neat bow.
    “What’s your take on Potter?” Gant wanted to know. “You get the feeling she knows more than she’s shared so far?” He didn’t bother trying to camouflage the hope in his voice.
    Any margin for optimism was minimal at this stage but what little there was Jess owned it. Delia Potter had asked her to come back this morning. She had presented the impression she wanted to talk but said she needed time to think. Not exactly an appropriate reaction for someone who had nothing else to say and nothing to hide.
    Jess had spent last night going over the case file Gant had provided and mulling over the meeting with Potter. The woman had exhibited no apparent discomfort during their brief conversation, at least not once she got passed the I-don’t-want-to-go-to-court attitude. Her demeanor suggested reluctance and impatience. What the woman really wanted was off the hook with her former lover’s troubles.
    “I think,” Jess weighed her words carefully, “Delia Potter believes she knows something relevant but doesn’t want to get mired any deeper than she already is.”
    Gant hummed a noncommittal note. “I’m counting on you, Harris. Chances are those women are dead. I have no illusions this is going to have a happy ending. Either way, we need to know what he did with them.”
    “I’ll do what I can,” Jess assured him again.
    Delia Potter walked in. She looked from one booth to the next.
    “She’s here. I’ll call when I have something.”
    Jess shoved the phone into her purse and waved. Potter strolled toward the table, her stride unhurried. She set her purse on the brown faux leather and removed her coat before scooting into the booth.
    “I’m glad you could make it.” Jess gifted her with a smile as she motioned for the waitress.
    Potter ordered coffee, then announced, “I want this over. No offense to you, Agent Harris, but I don’t want any more visits from cops. I’d like to move on with my life.”
    “I can certainly understand.” There were four families out there who wanted their loved ones back. Jess had no sympathy for the woman but it was best not to mention as much.
    The waitress dropped off a fresh carafe of coffee and moved on to the next table.
    “This might be