Deadly Echoes by Nancy Mehl Read Free Book Online Page A

woman developed cancer and had to leave her job. She had a file about Mom and Dad’s murders. She’d kept that information all these years because the killers had never been found. I guess she didn’t want to destroy the file until she felt my parents had some kind of justice. Anyway, not long before she died, she gave the file to Hannah. Something in that file really stirred up my sister.”
    â€œDid she tell you what it was?”
    â€œNo. I told her I wasn’t interested in talking about the murders.”
    â€œAnd did she back off?”
    â€œYes, but I knew she wanted me to . . . I don’t know, getinvolved in whatever she was doing.” I shook my head. “I just couldn’t. I wanted to spend time getting to know Hannah again. And Cicely. The past was something I’d tried hard to put behind me. I didn’t want to get pulled back there again.” I shook my head. “I want closure too, Paul, but Hannah’s claims were just too unbelievable. I couldn’t allow myself to get sucked in. It . . . hurt too much.”
    â€œI understand,” Paul said. “I’m sure I would have felt the same way.”
    â€œHannah seemed to understand too, but I know she was disappointed.” I took another sip of coffee before saying, “Paul, something’s happened. Something I want to share with you.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    I picked up my purse, opened it, and took out Hannah’s letter. I handed it to him and watched as he read it. His eyes widened with surprise. When he finished, he handed the letter back but didn’t say anything.
    â€œI know it sounds as if our parents’ murders are connected to what happened to Hannah,” I said, “but how could that be true?” I picked up my napkin and dabbed at my wet eyes. “What if I was wrong, Paul?” I said in a near whisper. “What if Hannah really did discover something important?” I put the letter back inside my purse. “And what if my reluctance to listen cost Hannah her life?” I gazed into dark brown eyes. “I don’t know what to do.”
    â€œFirst of all, you’re not responsible for what happened to Hannah,” Paul said emphatically. “Don’t do that to yourself. As far as the rest of it . . . I don’t know. The police need to see this letter.”
    â€œNo.”
    He looked confused. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œI don’t want them to know about it . . . yet. I’m afraid they’ll think Hannah was delusional. And what if Cicely finds out about it?” I shook my head. “I intend to wait. If they find the person who killed my sister, I’m going to destroy the letter. Cicely will never know anything about it.”
    Mary walked up to the table with our plates, so we stopped talking. I hadn’t been aware of how hungry I was until I was faced with Mary’s marvelous stack of pancakes. We thanked her and she left to tend to other customers. I said something about how good our food looked, but Paul’s face was tense and he seemed distracted.
    â€œHave I upset you? Do you disagree with me?” I asked.
    â€œNo, it’s not that.” He picked up his fork and started eating.
    I was convinced there was something else on his mind besides breakfast. Why had he wanted to meet me? We ate in silence until he asked me about school.
    â€œI’m taking some time off,” I said. “Reuben King has offered to fill in for me until I’m ready to return.”
    Reuben served as our town’s mayor. Even though our Mennonite population didn’t officially acknowledge his position, he was still able to represent their needs, along with everyone else’s, with government officials. He’d done many things to help Sanctuary, and everyone admired him.
    â€œThat’s great. He’ll do a good job.”
    â€œYou’ve been