Never Alone by C. J. Carpenter Page A

yet. My husband’s been traveling for work, and I’ve just started a new job, so it’s been a little hectic. And, well, the obvious.”
    â€œWe don’t want to take up a lot of your time,” he said. “We just have a few questions for you.”
    Megan glanced over at a picture frame placed on one of the unopened boxes next to the sofa. It was obvious who was in the picture: Shannon and Kate were sitting on a beach holding tropical drinks, mugging for the camera. The photo gave away more than just best friends beaching it on holiday.
    â€œThe two of you looked a lot alike.” Megan placed the frame back. “You must have been mistaken for sisters all the time.” She noticed something else in the photo besides their resemblance.
    â€œYeah, we got that a lot.” Kate picked up the photo, losing herself in the memory of the day it was taken. “This was a few months ago. We went away for a long weekend, one of those last-minute deals off the Internet. God, did we have a great time. We were planning another trip next month.” Her words were cut short between the tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I just can’t believe this. I can’t believe this has happened.” She began patting her eyes with the crumpled tissues.
    â€œI know this is hard for you, but we need to ask you some questions.” Megan paused for her to gain her composure. “When was the last time you spoke to or saw Shannon?”
    She cleared her throat. “The last time I spoke with Shannon was four days ago. She called before one of her clients came into the center for a session.”
    â€œClients?” Nappa asked.
    â€œHer patients at the center. She technically doesn’t have her master’s in social work yet, so she refers to them as her clients. Referred to them as clients.”
    â€œWhat did the two of you talk about?” Megan asked.
    â€œIt was brief, nothing unusual. We were just making plans to get together again. We meet up a few times a month for sushi.”
    â€œDid she mention anything out of the ordinary?” Nappa asked.
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œHave any of her clients been giving her a hard time? Was there anyone harassing her in any way that you knew of ? Not just the people she counseled, but anyone at work?”
    Katelyn looked confused. “Harassing her? No, not that I know of, I mean, I know she doesn’t deal with the most sound individuals, but there wasn’t anyone threatening her. They depended on her.”
    â€œWhat type of patients—sorry, clients—was she working with?” Megan asked.
    â€œShannon worked with mentally and emotionally challenged prisoners. They’re a part of a work program where they leave during the day and return to the prison at night. That’s all I really know about it.”
    Megan was disgusted how the system leaned toward rehabilitation for people who were repeat offenders. Teenagers had a chance, but almost all the others, right or wrong, were lifers. She’d seen too much to view it in any other light. However, as soon as they heard the words “mentally and emotionally challenged prisoners,” Megan and Nappa shared a very concerned look.
    â€œShe loved the people she worked with. She spent a lot of time with them.”
    They both knew that Shannon’s work life was definitely an avenue of interest. For right now, they needed to find out more about her personal life.
    â€œWhat about men in her life? Her parents said she wasn’t dating. Do you know if she was seeing anyone?” Nappa asked.
    â€œI don’t understand. Why are you asking about boyfriends? I thought this was a break-in. Her father told me she came home when her place was being robbed.” She looked back and forth at Megan and Nappa. “Isn’t that what happened?”
    Nappa chose his words carefully. “At this point we’re looking at every angle.