Found With Murder by Jenn Vakey Page A

face.
    “We can also eliminate anyone with a personal grudge against Lori,” Rilynne said.  “That leaves anyone with an attachment to Kim.  Or perhaps anyone who's desperate to be a parent.”  She thought it over.  “Even then, three million dollars is a lot to part with.”
    His knuckles pulled up to his chin, dragging roughly against the stubble covering it.  “Are you sure he didn't accidently miss the pick up?” he asked after several minutes.  “Or is accidently going to miss it, I guess.”
    She shook her head.  “I could feel what he was feeling,” she explained.  “He loves her.  He didn't care about that money at all.  Nor did he choose not to take it for fear of being caught.  There was something else.  He was incredibly guilty.  It was like he made a deal and felt bad for backing out at the last minute.”
    Ben looked down at her but didn't speak.  He didn't need to for Rilynne to know exactly what he was thinking.  It was visible in the pained expression on his face.
    “No,” she said.  “I don't think he intends to hurt her.”
    He was relieved.  After letting out a low sigh, he looked down at his watch and stood up.  “It's time for me to go,” he said.  “I won't be long.  Are you going to be here when I get back?”
    Rilynne nodded.  “Lori's going to need all the support she can get when the call comes in that the money didn't get picked up.  She won't take it well.”
    “Just tell her what you think it means,” he said.  “If you're confident, it will give her strength.  If you're optimistic about the new place to start looking, she will be, too.”
    When they walked back into the house, Rilynne was relieved to see the psychic was gone.  She glanced over briefly at Lori, still sitting on the couch, and then walked to the table.  She knew she couldn't, but she found herself wishing she could tell Lori what she had seen.  At least then, maybe she would know Kim was all right.
    “Okay, you know the plan,” Wilcome said, sliding the large bag across the table to Ben.  “Just drop it under the bench and leave.”
    Ben nodded and picked up the bag.
    “This should be me,” Joe said.  “I should be the one doing this.”
    “Lori needs you,” Ben said.  There was a kindness in his voice Rilynne had never heard before.  At least not when it came to Joe.  “Chances are the kidnapper will be calling again before I even get back.  You should be here for that.”  His gaze shot quickly to Rilynne before returning to Joe.  Though he was trying hard to hide it, there was still a touch of guilt in his eye.
    Ben kissed Rilynne on the cheek before quickly walking out the door.  While she was sure it just looked like he was anxious to get there, Rilynne knew he was trying to avoid any further conversation.
    *     *     *
    “Why hasn't he called yet?” Lori asked.  As soon as nine o'clock rolled around, she abandoned her spot on the couch and started hovering over the phone.  She even picked it up on three separate occasions just to make sure it was working.  Rilynne was sure she would have kept doing it had Jerkins not warned her that it could cause the line to be busy if he attempted to call while she was checking.
    When Ben walked back in, Lori only became more anxious, as did Rilynne.  She sat back in the corner and watched the room around her, dreading the call she knew would be coming soon.
    “I can't take this,” she whispered when Ben walked up next to her.  “I can't just sit here and wait.”
    Ben looked around the room at all of the anxious faces before nodding and taking her by the arm.  He led her quietly through the kitchen and out the backdoor.  Lori's yard was smaller than her own, but it had been nicely arranged.  In the middle of the large deck that took up nearly half of it, Joe had installed a fire pit.  Lori had worried fiercely about it, afraid that one of the children might fall in, but gave in at Joe's