Page 78 of Every Which Way

“I never would have seen him. I’d have continued to let him believe I was dead.” Amara glanced at the car, and the trunk that remained closed. “Only he figured out the truth.”

Kenna stared at her.

Of course, her father had looked into it, refused to believe what he was told. Chased down the answers he needed.

Amara said, “I refused to see him if he told you I was alive, so he kept it from you, and we only saw each other a few times. It’s not like we had some lengthy sordid relationship.”

“I don’t think it’s sordid if you’re married.”

“You know what I mean.”

Kenna sipped her coffee, sat back while the server delivered their plates, and put ketchup on her eggs. She ignored the look Amara gave her. “Why did you show up to pick up Mrs. Hadley? And don’t tell me she is a means to an end.”

Amara took a tiny bite of her oatmeal.

Kenna figured this was a lot like looking in a mirror of what she’d look like at fifty. Tiny silver strands at her temples and a trim figure. But Amara needed to be in peak condition to fight the fight she had spent her life and all her happiness on. Kenna wanted her future to be different—a husband, probably kids—at least eventually—and the ability to rest and let herself be happy with everything God seemed insistent on giving her. The Lord had decided to overwhelm her with the things He gave her. The people, the life she lived. All of it was His blessing after so many years of walking through the wilderness, being lonely. Working cases by herself.

She rubbed a hand over the top of her forearm, creating some friction between her long shirt sleeve and her scar, because the warmth of blood flow helped it to keep healing.

Amara watched her do it, but she said nothing.

The fact she wasn’t curious at all about Kenna’s life hurt a little, she could admit that to herself at least.

“How do you know her?”

“I don’t know Clare Hadley.”

Kenna swallowed a bite of potato. Stairns answered a phone call but spoke low while he ate big chunks of his omelet. “Why did you pick her up?”

“If I want Zeyla back, I’ll have to trade something they want for her. Make an exchange.”

“You’re bargaining?” Kenna set her fork down. “Did they agree?”

“I’m going to make them an offer they can’t refuse.”

How very mafia of her. Kenna said, “Then you probably need both twins.”

Amara frowned. “Twins?”

“There were two of them in the house. One disappeared into a closet, which I assume had some kind of hidden passage. The other is the one we chased out.” Kenna studied her mother. “She didn’t call you for a ride?”

“I was a passing Good Samaritan.”

Hmm. “Would that have lasted long once she figured out you’re one of them?”

“I can convince the younger ones what I need them to believe. It’s why none of them have managed to kill me yet.”

“Good for you.” She tried not to make it sound sarcastic. Kenna really didn’t mean it to be. She was actually glad her mother was still alive and that there was still a chance they could have a relationship. Unless her mother told her in no uncertain terms that there was no chance. “Tell me, is this organ trafficking thing connected to the company?”

“Most likely.” Amara took another bite of her oatmeal.

“Do you know where they moved the operation? They cleared out of the abandoned hospital where Hadley and Zeyla were taken, and the place was destroyed.” She explained about the field of shallow graves.

“The police are identifying all the victims?”

“If one is Zeyla, I’ll make sure her body is released to you.”

“It isn’t.” Amara sniffed. “I would know.”

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