Page 143 of After Anna

“I know. You let my homie die.”

Chapter Seventy

Maggie, After

“You’re so smart, Kath.” Maggie rallied, steering the rental car toward the gate. The snowfall seemed heavier, the flakes flying into their headlights in the darkness.

“I’m aneducator, baby.” Kathy cackled, thumbing through her phone, the screen illuminating her features from below.

“That was fun!” Caleb giggled in the backseat.

“What’s your idea?” Maggie asked Kathy, driving through the gate.

“Keep going, and I’ll fill you in. We need them to see us leave, in case they’re watching. Pull over anywhere when you get into town.”

“Okay. I’m going to call Ellen.” Maggie reached for her phone, pressed the number, and the call was answered. “Ellen?”

“Yes, Maggie, hello.” Ellen sounded more distant than she had earlier in the day.

“Ellen, hi, we just came from the meeting, and I was surprised you weren’t there.” Maggie drove ahead, and traffic had lessened as they passed the lovely homes. Nobody was outside snowblowing or shoveling in the frigid night.

“Frankly, they asked me not to be. I probably shouldn’t be taking this call.”

“I thought so.” Maggie felt herself get angry all over again. “What’s their problem? You’re just trying to help. I appreciated how concerned you were when we spoke. Don’t they care?”

“Yes, but unfortunately, legalities intervened. I think they’re realizing that they’ve been somewhat lax about security at the school. Our remote location lulls us into complacency. They’re very concerned about liability.”

“I’m not going to sue anybody. I just want to find my daughter.”

“I understand that, but their response is an institutional one. The board and the lawyers are advising them now.”

“But I’m worried about Anna. Aren’t they?”

“I really can’t say more. I should go. I wanted you to know that I care about Anna, and they’re going to do the best they can. I’ll make sure they do.”

“Just let me ask you this, Anna’s friend Jamie Covington went missing from school too. Did you treat Jamie?”

“I can’t answer that.”

“Does that mean you did? It must.”

“I’ve been asked not to speak with you directly. Roger wants the information to flow through him.”

“Can you just text me Jamie’s parents’ contact information? I won’t say where it came from.”

“No, I can’t do that.”

“But I think Jamie was helped to run away by people named PG and Connie. Do you know them? I’m thinking they might know where Anna is. I keep thinking they’re connected because—”

“Please, I shouldn’t stay on the line. Take care, Maggie. Good-bye.” Ellen hung up.

“Damn.” Maggie ended the call and entered the town of Congreve, which was hunkering down for the storm. The shops had closed, switching their lights off.

“Pull over here. It won’t be long before we go back.”

“We’re going back?” Maggie parked in front of a boutique with darkened windows. Snow hit the windshield, and the wipers flapped madly.

“You’re darn tootin’.” Kathy nodded, eyeing the phone. “We’re going to snoop around.”