Page 17 of Witness To Murder
Mrs. Morris searched Owen’s face for a long moment, her own clouding with increased worry. “Are you suggesting my daughter is missing or is in some sort of trouble?”
He considered how to answer for a moment. Leah’s eyes had widened with uncertainty. She didn’t want to upset her friend’s mother, which was understandable. But this woman—this mother—was not naive. She knew something was not as it should be.
“There was an incident late Saturday night at the restaurant where Leah was to meet Raymond Douglas for the date Isla had arranged. No one has seen Raymond or Isla since—at least, no one we’ve found.”
“Oh no.” Mrs. Morris pressed a hand to her chest. “Should we call the police?”
“The police are already involved with the Douglas case,” Owen explained. “We’re only just learning that Isla hasn’t been returning calls either.” He leaned forward, braced his elbows on his spread knees. “So you can see how it’s very important that you let Leah know if you hear from Isla or if you have any idea where she might go to get away from the stress of school or work or a boyfriend. The sooner we can confirm her safety and her whereabouts, the better for all concerned.”
Mrs. Morris blinked several times, the emotion in her eyes visibly threatening her control. “I will certainly let you know,” she said to Leah. “I know Isla adores you, and whatever is going on, she would want you to know.”
“I would really appreciate it,” Leah told her.
The older woman drew in a big breath. “Some years back, I bought a lake house,” she said, this time to Owen. “I haven’t been there in a very long time. I actually bought it because the man I was dating at the time loved going to the lake. Ridiculously, I thought we had a future together. Anyway, Isla goes there occasionally.” She turned to Leah. “Isla mentioned the two of you going several times. She always enjoyed telling me about your adventures. She said you were too afraid to swim in the lake. That you preferred soaking up the sun on the dock.”
Leah’s tight smile and vague nod warned there was something off with the story.
“Why don’t you give me the address,” Owen said, drawing Mrs. Morris’s attention to himself. “Leah and I will go out there and see if Isla is perhaps taking a break from the world. She’s done that before, I believe.”
“She has,” the woman agreed. “She went through a little breakdown during her final year of premed. It happens, you know. These high-achieving kids go off to college and overextend themselves on all fronts. The next thing you know,they’re breaking down or turning to drugs. I’m just thankful Isla didn’t end up involved with the drugs.”
“I understand.” He gave Mrs. Morris a knowing nod. “We’ll find her, see that she’s safe.”
“I would appreciate it so much,” Mrs. Morris said, gratitude in her eyes and her smile. “Remember,” she said to Leah, “the spare key is under the fairy.”
Mrs. Morris reminded Leah of the address for the Fox Lake home. She went on and on about the amenities and the lovely views. Leah nodded and made agreeable sounds, when it was obvious she had no idea where this retreat was located, much less what it offered.
But they were about to find out.
Leah hugged Isla’s mother and promised to keep her apprised. Mrs. Morris promised the same. By the time Owen and Leah were back in the car, she was shaking.
“I have no idea about this lake house.” She turned to Owen. “I have never been there with Isla. She has never mentioned that her mother had one. It’s true I’m not big on swimming in anything other than pools where I can see the bottom, but I have never been to that lake house. And Isla never told me about any sort of breakdown.”
And there it was, the first crack in the beloved, seemingly steadfast friendship. One of the two had not been sharingeverything.
“Maybe Isla was taking a friend with whom she had a physical relationship to the lake house,” Owen suggested. “She may have told her mother it was you to avoid questions.” He wasn’t buying that story just yet, but if it made Leah feel better in the short term, that was the immediate objective. He started the car and pulled away from the curb.
“That’s possible,” Leah agreed after pondering the suggestion. “Her mother was always after her about the futureand starting a family. She didn’t want Isla to wait until it was too late. You know the routine. ‘Get married and make me some grandbabies.’” Leah laughed but the sound held no humor; it was more sad than anything. “Isla does not want children. She’s all about her career. I’m not sure how she’ll ever break it to her mother.”
For Leah’s sake, he hoped that was her friend’s only dreaded secret. Though Owen now suspected it was just the tip of the iceberg.
CHAPTER FIVE
Morris Lake House
Fox Lake, 12:50 p.m.
Owen brought the car to a stop in the small area of gravel just off the narrow road provided for parking at the rear of the house. Leah was awed by the view, for sure. The house was perched so close to the shore that it looked as if it might slide off into the water at any second. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Very private, with a wooded area separating it from the nearest neighbor.
Aside from the one Owen had just parked, there was no vehicle there. If Isla was here, someone had dropped her off or she had walked. Leah was confident that was not the case. This place was nearly an hour’s drive from the city.
As they climbed out of the vehicle, Leah couldn’t ignore the very bad feeling mounting inside her. Something about this situation was very, very wrong.
“I have never been here,” she said to the man standing next to her. “I can’t imagine why Isla told her mother I came here with her—unless it’s…it’s like you said and she was covering for who she was really bringing.” She shook her head. “But that’s so un-Isla-like. She always seems in charge and straightforward.” Leah moved her head side to side in dismay. “She’s the most independent and put-together person I’ve ever known. I just can’t see her sneaking around. I don’t even see a reason for her to have told her mother about coming here, much less making up who came with her.”
“I’ll look for that key,” he said, rather than comment on her assessment.
She got it. He didn’t know Isla. What could he say?
