EIGHTY-SIX

The chief’s phone rang again. It was Harry Knotts.

“You better get back out here to Hickory Dell,” the detective told her.

“What’s happened?”

“We finally tracked down the Pierces’ housekeeper at her sister’s house. She told us that she’d taken Heather’s car, and that Heather was home.” He paused. “She was right.”

“Don’t tell me,” Walters said. “You went into the house and discovered yet another murder.”

“Three other murders,” Knotts said. “The kids were dead, too.”

“Dear God,” Walters said. “I’ll be right there.”