Jill Elizabeth Nelson Read Online Free PDF Page B

her.”
    Dismay sent a pang to Rich’s heart. “I wasn’t criticizing. I meant—”
    â€œI won’t say a word without her here.” Hannah wound her arm through Nicole’s and clung, jaw jutting.
    Nicole’s mouth fell open. It seemed Hannah’s fixation on her was as much a surprise to Nicole as anybody else.
    â€œVery well.” Rich nodded. “Hannah, do you remember what Samuel was wearing when he disappeared?”
    â€œWhen he was cruelly kidnapped from his own bed, don’t you mean?” Hannah’s gaze turned fierce. “He was in his fuzzy red sleeper with an adorable sheep embroidered on the right shoulder. It was fall, you know, and the air had a nip so we dressed him warmly.”
    Rich wrote in his book. “And was anything taken with him?”
    Hannah cocked her head then nodded. “We never did see his favorite toy again. The kidnappers must have bundled it off with him.”
    â€œA toy?” Rich cocked a brow. “Can you describe it?”
    â€œIt was a blue-and-white rattle on a stick.” Hannah disengaged her arm from Nicole’s and made a shaking motion as if she held the toy. “Such a simple plaything made him laugh and coo. The sides were flat, so he liked to bite it while he teethed. Simon and Fern spent loads of money on fancy toys that squeaked or played music or danced or—”
    â€œWe get the idea, Hannah.” Simon’s tone dripped contempt. “Stop rambling and answer the police chief’s questions.”
    Hannah blinked, and her gaze went vague. She squinted toward Rich. “Chief? You? Aren’t you some kind of deputy? What happened to Chief Wilson?”
    Rich sent her a gentle smile. “He retired six years ago.”
    â€œOh, that’s right.” She gave an airy wave. “Time has a way of flying, doesn’t it?”
    â€œThank you, Hannah.” Rich shut his notebook. “You’ve been very helpful.”
    â€œIs it Sammy?” The older woman twisted her fingers together.
    Nicole touched her arm. “Chief Hendricks won’t be able to say yet. They have to run DNA tests.”
    Rich smiled toward Nicole. The gesture brought no thaw in her wary expression. He couldn’t fault her for being defensive about the investigation, but maybe he’d get a chance later to tell her how much he appreciated her discretion in not blurting that the infant’s remains had been clothed in red and that a blue-and-white rattle was buried with the body.
    â€œI’d like to get a DNA sample from you, Simon.” He nodded toward the older man. “And one from Fern as soon as possible.”
    Simon rose and set his snifter on the desk. “So basically you’re here to question us, collect evidence and offer next to no information in return.”
    â€œI’m afraid that’s the way it works at this point.” And why wasn’t Simon falling all over himself to cooperate? Was it simply a power trip? His puzzling behavior nagged at Rich.
    Simon crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll have to discuss this testing thing with Fern. We’ll get back to you.”
    Rich’s mouth opened then he clamped his teeth together. He wasn’t surprised that the frail Mrs. Elling was indisposed, but this was the first time he ever heard of Simon needing to consult his wife about anything.
    â€œI’ll do the test,” Hannah singsonged. “I’d love to give some DNA. Give generously. Isn’t that what they say at the blood drives?”
    Simon whirled on his sister-in-law. “DNA testing isn’t like giving blood, you ninny.”
    â€œActually, it’s simpler.” Nicole glared at Simon. “Nothing to be squeamish about.”
    Rich clicked his pen and swallowed a grin at the spunky woman’s implication that the town patriarch had a yellow streak. Simon’s eyes popped wide, and his color darkened. Rich