Hidden Angels: A completely addictive and pulse-pounding crime thriller (Detective Amanda Steele Book 13) by Carolyn Arnold

Author:Carolyn Arnold [Arnold, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2025-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SIX

Amanda had just told Trent she was going to call Malone and update him on their visit to Cameron’s therapist when her phone rang and his name flashed on the screen. “His ears must be burning,” she said to Trent before she answered on speaker.

“I got news on the adoption front,” Malone said, wasting no time.

He wasn’t the type to delay news, but for him to rush ahead like this, he had something good. She kept quiet and patiently waited.

“There’s no adoption record for Cameron Cofell, but there is a birth record. Winnie Cofell is listed as his mother. It was a home birth.”

At this stage in her career, nothing should shock her. This did. Even though it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Cameron had to legally exist somewhere, or he couldn’t have gotten medical coverage, a driving license, or held a job… She imagined the Cofells thought it all through and put on a grand performance for the doctors. “Sure it was,” she said, drenched with sarcasm. “Meanwhile, she told other people Cameron was adopted, and Winnie’s brother told us she couldn’t have children.”

“There you go then. As if we didn’t already know it. This case is twisted and dark as all heck.”

“It is that. We just left the therapist’s office, and she turned out to be more helpful than we could have imagined.” Amanda filled him in on their visit and what they were on their way to do now.

“Keep me posted.” Malone ended the call, and Trent turned down the street for Audrey Witherspoon. Herald Church loomed next door. Linwood could be there now if he’d been discharged from hospital.

It was midmorning, but the curtains were still closed in Audrey’s front window, which Amanda noted and found somewhat strange. From talking with Audrey, she imagined her always rising before the sun and greeting a new day by drawing the curtains back.

Trent knocked a few times, and there was no answer. “Her car’s in the driveway,” he said. “Presumably she’s here. Though she could have gone out with someone in their vehicle, or gone for a walk.”

“Well, it’s too cool to be sitting out back with a coffee or tea.” She walked along the deck to the front window. The curtains were closed, but the edge of one fluttered, presumably catching a breeze from a floor vent, and cleared an opening. She peered inside. “Witherspoon’s lying on the couch.” Amanda rapped on the glass, and the woman didn’t stir. Amanda became more persistent. Still no movement from the older lady. Let’s hope she’s a deep sleeper! “We need to call her phone number.”

“I’ll go get it.” Trent rushed back to the department car to bring up Audrey’s record. They had collected her number when they took her eyewitness statement.

Amanda continued to tap on the glass, trying to rouse the woman. No reaction.

Then, a dampened ringtone sounded from inside. Trent was back with his phone to his ear and shaking his head.

“She’s not moving at all, Trent. We’ve got to call this in.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.