Would you just come to the damned bedroom? that same voice called out from down a hallway off to the right of the den. You know I cant hear you from out there!

Jack grinned at the absolute fury in the womans voice. Had this all been happening to someone else, he would have found it hilarious. The grin faltered when he realized that the woman clearly assumed him to be someone else. Based on his brief interaction with her so far, God only knew how shed react when she discovered there was a stranger in her house. He didnt see her giving much of a damn if it was an FBI agent or not.

He walked down the hallway and found it just as clean as the foyer and the den. There were two large paintings on the wallsmore beach scenesand three small tables adorned with vases of fresh flowers along the length of it. He passed a small door he assumed was a closet and then passed an open room that was empty, a guest room from the looks of it. He assumed the womans voice was coming from the bedroom at the end of the hallway. The door was opened, revealing half of a window, the curtains drawn to let the sunshine in.

Maam, Im an FBI agent, he said again, raising his voice this time. My name is Agent Jack Rivers, and Ive come by to check in on you.

Youre…what?

He came to the doorway, knocked on the frame, and poked his head in. Hed approached many a door with caution and tact before, but this was a whole new experience.

He found a large master bedroom, just as clean as the rest of the house. The bed resting against the far wall looked to be Queen sized. Mrs. Madeline Holcomb was lying in it, under a single, thin sheet. She looked both aghast and pissed off when she saw an unfamiliar face look into her room. Her gray hair was done up in loose curls and from the appearance of her shoulders and neck, she was quite frail and thin.

And who the hell do you think you are? she yelled. Her face seemed to harden like stone and her thin, brittle lips formed a tight line.

I tried telling you, maam. Im Agent Jack Rivers with the FBI.

FBI?

Thats right. Im in town working with the police on a case that we fear might very well be

I thought you were my son! Thats the only reason I told you to come in! If you dont show me some identification right now, were going to have a problem.

I do apologize, Jack said, fumbling for his ID. When he had it out, he walked closer to her, holding it out.

Madeline held out a hand, her fingers thin and wrinkled. Stop right there! She leaned forward and scrutinized his ID before eyeing him skeptically and giving a curt little nod.