Delaney gave her a thin, wry smile. “I forgot you two haven’t been introduced. This is my partner, Detective Tyrese Simmons. Simmons, Ms. Andrews.”
Michelle’s stomach muscles tensed. “It’s Ferrell,” she corrected.
Delaney’s smile disappeared. “My mistake.”
A strained silence lapsed among the three parties, distinctively giving Michelle the sense that she was in the middle of a life-sized chess game. “I’m still waiting to hear what brings you here,” Michelle said. “We wanted to ask you a few questions regarding you and…Michelle,” Simmons answered. “Specially, how you two met.” “And what’s the relevancy of that?” “Well, it’s a big hole in the puzzle. Given the differences in your upbringing, we’re just curious.”
Michelle weighed whether she should answer the question, then decided that it was a harmless inquiry. “We met at my father’s funeral.” “What, she just showed up?” Michelle shrugged. “Yes. So?” “She just crashed a funeral?” Simmons asked. “Something like that.” “That didn’t strike you as odd?” Delaney challenged.
Michelle didn’t answer. She was almost certain that Abbott and Costello here were leading her toward a trapdoor. “As much as I’m enjoying this little chitchat, I have other things to attend, and I believe that you two have a missing person to find.”
“Actually Delaney finally closed the front door. “We were a little concerned about your welfare.
Michelle’s brows dipped together. “Come again?”
“Well, it’s pretty clear to me that…Michelle had some help leaving Keystone. According to the staff, she was pretty much out of it through most of her stay. Now whether she was kidnapped or she convinced someone to help her is what remains to be seen. If the latter is the case, then there’s no real crime that’s been committed unless she and her partner murdered Dr. Bancroft.”
“Get to the point,” Michelle snapped.
“See, you’re probably not aware of your sister’s extensive criminal record, and I’m thinking that someone as unstable as Michelle can’t be too happy that her twin sister was adopted by such a wealthy family while she wasn’t quite so lucky.” Delaney paused for dramatic effect. Michelle shifted her weight. “I’m still waiting.” “Isn’t it obvious?” Simmons said. “Apparently not,” she said tightly.
Delaney walked across the foyer and stopped within inches of Michelle. “Andrews never does something for nothing. She approached you for a reason.” Delaney too her time and glanced around the large home before she continued. “I’m guessing that she wants her piece of the money pie.”
The silence returned while the women’s gazes battled.
Finally, Michelle stepped away and mulled this latest development over but decided it was best to toss their theory back in their faces. “I don’t believe you.”
“That’s your choice.”
Michelle grew bolder. “I think that you two are grasping at straws again, and you’re wasting my time. So I would like for you to leave. Comprende?” Delaney and Simmons glanced at each other. Michelle glided over to the front door and opened it. “Now.” Simmons walked out the door with a grave expression while Delaney smiled. Michelle glared.
“Make sure that you stay in town. I have a feeling that we’ll be back.” At the door’s threshold, Delaney stopped. “Nous connaissons la vérité et nous allant vous attraper.” Michelle’s eyes narrowed. Delaney blinked, gave her a cracked smile, then cleared the threshold. “Au revoir.” Michelle slammed the door. Tyrese smiled and shook his head as he walked over to their car. “That went well. What did you say to her?” “That we knew the truth and we’re going to catch her.” Delaney followed him. “You’re kidding.” Delaney opened the passenger door and slid into the seat. “Conan was right.” Tyrese closed his door and turned to look at her. “Excuse me?”
“She didn’t understand me.” Ming’s jaw set determinedly. “I don’t know how she did it, but that woman in there is not Josephine Ferrell.”
Chapter 19
Josie was beginning to feel like a human being again. With assistance, she was able to blow dry her hair and get dressed in something other than a night gown. William had purchased her some clothes and underwear, so she selected a pair of jeans, an Atlanta Falcons jersey, and a very comfortable pair of Nikes. To her surprise everything fits perfectly.
Drawing a deep breath, she brushed off all thoughts of her embarrassing episode with William that morning.
Besides, she had a hell of a lot of other problems to deal with at that moment.
She needed to get her hands on her address book. The book could help her get in contact with friends, doctors, dentists; whomever she needed to help her with proving her identity.
Tired of her thoughts chasing each other, Josie turned off the light and walked out of the bathroom. She quickly moved over to the phone on one of the nightstand tables. In no time she’d reached France’s information line and requested the number for her longtime physician, Dr. Dumas. However, she was disappointed when she reached the practice’s automated voice mail.
Bonjour. Ceci est Josphone Ferrell. J’appelle pour demander une copier de mes rapport médicaux.” What’s the address?
“Je’rappellerai avec me nouvelle adresse et mon nouveau numéro de telephone.” She hung up and rolled her eyes at her absentmindedness.
She rushed out of the bedroom and was greeted by wonderful aromas of bacon and coffee. Her stomach churned and growled with anticipation.
Within minutes, she joined William in the kitchen. “It smells like heaven in here,” she declared, peeking around him to see what was on the stove.
“Thanks,” he said.
Josie’s sense of smell hadn’t deceived her. There were bacon, sausage, and eggs. On a griddle were perfectly shaped pancakes and in a bowl on the counter were diced cantaloupe and honeydew.
“It looks like you went to an awful lot of trouble.”
“Nah. It was no trouble at all.” William moved from the stovetop to the oven, where he removed golden brown biscuits.
He moved around the kitchen like a seasoned chef. It was an unexpected turn-on, and Josie found herself watching him with great fascination.
“Did I miss something, or are you expecting an army?” she chuckled.
“No. I just figured you’d be hungry. You haven’t had much in the past few days.” He turned his attention to the pancakes.
Josie sensed he was trying his best to avoid eye contact. She stepped back so she could stay out of his way, but she couldn’t help but ask, “Is something wrong?”
A long pause ensued before he answered, “No.”
It was an obvious lie, but the tension between them was too thick for her to call him on it. She changed the subject. “I called my doctor’s office to request my medical records.” William stopped what he was doing. “You did?” “Yeah. Well, I reached their voice mail, and I didn’t have an address to tell them where to mail the records.” “Oh yeah. I can, uh, write that down for you,” he said.
She glanced over and tried to read him, but she was unsuccessful. She didn’t understand his cold demeanor. Especially, since he was so attentive last night, but after their kiss…
Josie shook the direction of her thoughts out of her head. “Can I help with something?”