Page 35 of Last Girls Alive
“She was different,” she said.
“Different how?”
“She just was, that’s all.”
“Who was her closest friend?” McGaven asked.
Shelly leaned back and some of her forced charm came back. “That’s easy, Tanis.”
“You mean Tanis Jones?”
“Of course. They were inseparable. They also shared a room.”
“I’ve read the missing persons report. You stated that you thought Candace ran away with a boyfriend. Do you remember who?”
“I don’t know who he was or his name. Just like I told the police officer that took the missing persons report. I. Don’t. Know.”
“Tell me, Mrs. McDonald… would you know why someone would want Mary Rodriguez or Candace Harlan dead?”
“What…?” She squeaked out, barely able to keep her composure. “I don’t understand. Candace is… dead?” She spoke in a tone just above a whisper.
“Does that shock you?” he said, not wanting to disclose anything about the body not being Candace, but most likely her sister.
“She… it’s just that…”
“Who visited the girls? Who did they run to when they sneaked out at night? And why would anyone want them dead?”
“Why would I know? Isn’t that your job to find out?”
“How long had you been dating one of the police officers that would get dispatched to the mansion?”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about.” She glanced at Katie as if to say, “Aren’t you going to back me up, us women have to stick together?”
McGaven straightened his paperwork and neatly deposited it into the file folder.
“You’re leaving?” she asked with a hint of regret in her voice.
McGaven brilliantly paused and looked directly at Mrs. McDonald. “Do you understand how important a homicide investigation is?”
“Of course.”
“More young women could die.”
She remained quiet, fighting with her conscience or whatever she was trying to hide.
“And do you understand that I can’t waste time—”
“Of course I do.”
“Then start acting like it and answer a few simple questions.”
“I’m telling you the truth,” she insisted.
McGaven rose from his chair. He towered over Shelly McDonald. Katie followed McGaven’s lead and got up from her chair, heading for the door.
“Wait,” she said, urgently. “Look, I did things back then I’m not proud of—drugs, loose sex. But I swear to you that I don’t know where those girls went or with whom.”
“And were you seeing one of the responding police officers?”
