Page 29 of The Fragile Ones

“No, they hadn’t and didn’t go to the swing that day. And about a year ago, their family moved away—like so many…” Her voice trailed off.

“Did you notice any change in the girls’ moods?”

“Like what?” she asked.

“Well, like moodiness, anger, isolation, secretiveness, anything.”

“No. Everything was normal, just like any other day.”

Katie shifted her weight and asked, “Had you seen anyone that you’d never seen before hanging around, an unknown car, perhaps, or anyone watching you or the girls?”

“No, no. Nothing like that.Nothing.”

“Mrs. Mayfield, I’m sorry but I have to ask this. Have you heard from Mr. Mayfield recently?”

She stopped crying to stare directly at Katie. “No. I would call the police if I did. I would never let him in my house again.”

“When was the last time you talked to him?”

“It was on Tessa’s sixth birthday and that was the last time. He left us for good after that. That was fine with me—he was overbearing, controlling of everything, and I thought…well, I thought it was only a matter of time before he hurt us…”

“What makes you say that?”

“He was…he threatened us. I think it was because of his home life. He lost his parents and his sister died later in an accident. He was always…whenever he thought about his sister, he would go to another place in his mind.”

“Would you know where he is?”

“Not a clue. And I don’t care.”

Katie glanced at McGaven before she said, “I know this is difficult, but I have a couple more questions. Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

“How long have you lived here?”

“About ten years.”

“So this is the only house that your girls had ever known?”

“Yes.”

Katie trod lightly, not wanting to make the woman retreat and not cooperate in the investigation. “When we spoke with the medical examiner yesterday, he mentioned that you had the girls’ birth certificates with you. Why is that?”

Without hesitating, she said, “I always have copies in my purse—in case something happens to me or I’m in a car accident. They would know about the girls and their personal information.”

“Okay,” said Katie making notes. She still thought it was strange, but Mrs. Mayfield answered easily. “Also, at the medical examiner’s office, I noticed that Tessa had numbers printed on her scalp. What was the reason for that?”

This was the first time Mrs. Mayfield’s emotions changed from grieving mother. “What are you talking about?” she said strongly. “She had some birthmarks, but no numbers. Maybe it looks like numbers to you.”

Katie didn’t want to push until she became combative, so she decided to change her approach. “Those are all the questions we have for now, but I’m sure we’ll have more. If it’s okay with you, may we see the girls’ rooms?”

Standing up and smoothing her top, she said, “Of course. They shared the small back bedroom.” She motioned for them to follow her. “It’s just the way they left it. I’ve tried and tried to clean it up, but I…just…couldn’t…”

“That’s okay,” said Katie.

“I have something to do in the kitchen,” she said, not looking at the room.

McGaven stood close to Katie and whispered, “What’s she hiding?”