“I take classes here and there when I’m interested in something, but I never felt I needed to spend the money on an advanced education when all I really wanted was to make a nice home for my family and help people through my church. I don’t think Denise respected my choices. So no, we didn’t socialize.”

“We were hoping that we could talk to Joe and Ginny. Ricky might have said something to them about what was going on with his family.”

“The police told us that Denise embezzled money from one of her clients and left the country. Are you saying that didn’t happen?”

“No, but no one has seen the family since that Friday, so we need to look at the investigation with fresh eyes and confirm all the facts.”

Jill frowned, her hands rubbing her large stomach. “Joe and Ginny are going to be so upset when they find out that Ricky is … is dead.”

Lucy glanced at Nate, then said, “We don’t know what happened to Ricky. We found the remains of his parents and sisters, but not him. That’s why it’s so important that we talk to Joe and Ginny and find out if he said anything to them, even if they didn’t think much about it at the time.”

“They’re at school,” she said.

“We can come back.”

“I need to talk to my husband first. We need to decide how we want to tell the kids about Ricky and his family.”

“We understand. We can come back about five thirty?” Lucy suggested.

“Okay, but I can’t make any promises.”

“We’re going to be in town for the rest of the day, so we’ll stop by on our way back to San Antonio.”

They got up, and Lucy motioned for Jill to continue sitting. “We’ll let ourselves out. Thank you, Mrs. Young.”

They walked to the car and Nate said, “He was probably grabbed when he got home.”

“Probably,” Lucy said.

“You don’t sound like you believe that.”

“I don’t know what to believe at this point. Ash didn’t find his body. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I want that kid to be alive.”

“So do I, Luce,” he said.

She pulled out her cell phone and called Sean. He answered on the second ring. “Hey, I’m going to be late tonight,” she said.

“How late?”

“Nate and I are still in Kerrville, and we have an interview scheduled for five thirty tonight. So I don’t see me getting home before seven thirty, maybe eight.”

“Jess and I will find something to keep us occupied.”

“Save me food.”

“Well, that’s asking quite a bit, but I’ll see what I can do.”

“You’re so funny,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Be careful out there. I love you.”