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“That’s the thing. I don’t think it was a robbery. That information was classified and won’t be shared now that the case is closed, but you deserve to know. Is your husband home? If I could just speak to you in person, this would all make sense.”

“I-I guess you can come over.”

After Amanda rattled off their address, Jones put it into his GPS and headed that way. It was wearing on him to work his cases with the Vanzette Police Department along with the trio of women on his off days, but bringing Sade to justice would make the sacrifice worth it. She may have left town, but she’d forever be on his radar. There was nowhere she could run and not be within his reach.

Jones

Pictures of Patrice as a child made Jones’s heart ache. In almost every photo of her on the fireplace and walls, she was smiling—happy. The light in her eyes began to dim as she aged. There were three pictures of her while she was in high school that Jones took pictures of with his phone. He knew about her connection to Imani, but seeing Patrice in a cheerleader outfit beside her made things all too real.

Turning, he looked at Amanda, whose smile was sad as she watched him. Her husband, Elliot, seemed more hardened to the situation than his wife. Still, Jones appreciated them opening their home to him. He made his way over to the brown leather recliner beside the sofa they were seated on. Amanda took Elliot’s hand into hers as he sat down and pulled out his small notebook.

“My wife said you don’t believe this was a robbery-homicide,” Elliot said, sitting up in his seat.

“No, I don’t. Originally, we believed the robber or robbers were hiding in Patrice’s car, and because she came out quicker than they expected, they killed her and left before they could take anything.”

“What makes you think that is no longer the case?” Elliot continued.

“Well, for starters, it was daylight. Vanzette is a fairly safe and crimefree town. We hadn’t had many murders before this year, and we haven’t had multiple murders in the same year in a while. I don’t think it’s plausible that someone was trying to rob your daughter during the day and then killed her when they were caught. If that’s the case, I believe it was a drifter passing through town looking for money or jewels to pawn beforetheir next stop. Even so, they wouldn’t have left without takingsomething.”

“So, you have no proof that this wasn’t a robbery gone bad. Just an assumption?”

“Not quite. Patrice had connections to another woman who was murdered shortly after her. I don’t believe that was a coincidence.”

“Who was the other woman?” Amanda asked.

“Trina Roe. Is that name familiar to either of you?” Amanda’s head shook as Elliot gave a firm no. “What about Willow Frank?”

“Neither one,” Amanda answered. “But it’s not a surprise. We didn’t know too many of Patrice’s friends as she aged. She worked a lot and didn’t go out too much, but there were a few women she would hang with occasionally.”

“Imani Williams.” He paused. “She would have been Imani Griffin while in school with your daughter. Do either of you remember her?” Jones asked, getting comfortable in the recliner.

“She was one of Patrice’s closest friends while they were in high school and college,” Amanda replied. “Has something happened to her too?”

Chuckling, Jones crossed his ankles. “I guess you could say that. She was recently sent to federal prison for several crimes, including credit fraud.”

Gasping, Amanda clutched her chest. “Not little Imani. She seemed to have such a bright future ahead of herself.”

Elliot sucked his teeth and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not surprised. I always felt like she was a bad influence. That’s why I was glad Patrice moved here and didn’t continue their friendship after college.”

Amanda’s eyes rolled as Jones requested, “Tell me more about why you believed Imani was a bad influence.”

“She brought out the ugly in my daughter. Patrice’s attitude completely changed when they started hanging out. She was no longer my bubbly, innocent child. Patrice became catty, bitter, and downright mean.”

“They were accused of being bullies,” Amanda added. “The fights Patrice got in, Imani was often the center of them. I thought Patrice was trying to be a good friend, but Elliot believed Imani was getting Patrice into trouble and that she needed to stay away from her.”

“Did you know Imani’s sister . . . Sade?” Jones asked.

“I don’t think so, no,” Elliot replied, looking at his wife. “Do you recall Patrice ever mentioning Sade?”

“I...I don’t know. Maybe vaguely.” Amanda laughed softly. “It’s been so long.”

“I understand,” Jones said. “I’m asking because I have reason to believe Imani and Sade were involved with Patrice’s murder.” He paused, giving them time to register what he’d said. “Patrice and Sade were not friends in high school. I believe that Sade was one of the girls Patrice and Imani bullied.”

“Wait,” Elliot chortled before licking his lips. “Why would Imani bully her own sister?”

“That’s a conversation for another day. What Icansay is that Imani admitted to the toxic relationship she had with her sister and that Patrice was a part of that. Now, Patrice and Sade came back into contact with each other earlier this year. I don’t have proof, but I believe Patrice was murdered because she knew about a secret Sade was keeping from her sister.”

“What secret could have been worth taking my child’s life?” Amanda asked.