Double Identity by Diane Burke

back control of the interview. “Can you name the other woman in the photo with you?”
    “Karen Anderson.”
    “Does she still live in town?”
    “No. Karen moved away years ago.” Mrs. Carter folded her hands on her lap and stared at Cain. “What’s this all about, anyway?”
    Cain gave her his most endearing smile. “I’m doing some research for the Weatherly family. We’re focusing right now on Elizabeth and we’re only interviewing those special, close friends from days gone by.” He stopped talking and seemed to be letting his charming smile disarm any opposition the woman might have been having to his interrogation.
    “Well, I don’t know where you got your information about me being a close friend but it’s wrong.”
    Cain blinked but otherwise showed no reaction to her words.
    “Karen invited me to join her at the Weatherly place for a swim. I had just met Elizabeth. She seemed like a nice enough girl but it really was the only time I’d ever met her.”
    Another dead end.
    “Really?” Cain crossed his ankle over his knee. “Didn’t you go to school together?”
    “Not really. We never had any classes together. That picture was taken at the end of the summer. When school started in the fall, Elizabeth had already left.”
    “Left?”
    “Run off. Eloped. Depends on what town gossip you listen to.” She glanced over at Sophie. “Sorry, honey. But you must know this story already, considering you’re Elizabeth’s daughter.”
    Cain leaned forward, drawing her attention. “Mrs. Carter, do you remember the name of the boy Elizabeth ran away with?”
    Mrs. Carter rubbed her chin and stared into space. Finally she looked back at the two of them. “Sorry. Can’t say I do.”
    She stared at Sophie and it was obvious from the expression on her face that she wondered why Sophie didn’t already have the information. “Besides, it wasn’t a boy. She ran off with a man. That’s what caused such an uproar. Your granddaddy called the sheriff. If I remember correctly, they had search parties scour the woods. Even put up roadblocks. But she had already disappeared.”
    Cain braced himself as he glanced over at Sophie. He didn’t know how she’d bear up under another disappointment. But she surprised him. Other than the slight flush to her cheeks, she seemed composed, calm, accepting.
    Cain stood. “Thanks, Mrs. Carter. I’m sorry we bothered you.”
    “Oh, it was no bother.” The woman stood, smoothed her hair and smiled at them. “It isn’t every day a bona fide private investigator comes calling.”
    Sophie thanked her and preceded Cain down the porch steps. They’d reached the car when Mrs. Carter called out.
    “I’m sorry I couldn’t help you.”
    “That’s okay,” Cain said. He waved at the woman as he opened his car door. Sophie had already slid into the passenger seat.
    “If you still have questions, maybe you should ask the person who took the picture.”
    Cain froze half in and half out of the car. Why hadn’t he thought of that? He plopped down on the seat and leaned his head out the window. “Do you remember who took the picture, Mrs. Carter?”
    “Sure, I do. Martha Barker.”
    “Are you sure?” Cain couldn’t keep the surprise from his voice. He felt Sophie’s eyes fix on him.
    “Of course I’m sure. She was a real shutterbug back then. You never saw Martha without a camera in her hands. She worked as a photographer for the school paper. I think she still lives in town. Maybe she’ll remember something about Elizabeth.”
    “Thanks again, Mrs. Carter. You’ve been a big help.”
    Sophie squirmed in the seat beside him but he admired the fact that she refrained from questioning him until they’d backed out of the driveway and were headed back to town.
    Cain drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. His mind raced in a thousand different directions.
    “You know her, don’t you, Cain?”
    “Yes.”
    “Great. Maybe she’ll know something. Does she still live