“No. There’s just a lot going on. Do you mind if we come in for a moment?”

Rebecca threw up her hands. “I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Can I get you coffee or tea?”

“No, thank you.” Ethel turned to Jesse. “Why don’t you bring those photos? The ones we were going to show Susan.”

“No problem.” He hurried to the car.

“Just let yourself in,” Rebecca called after him. “We’ll be in the living room.”

Jesse found the living room was just off a small foyer. Both women were still standing, and he handed the eight photos to Ethel. She indicated for Rebecca to sit on the sofa, and she then took a seat next to her. Jesse stood beside a wingback chair closer to Ethel. His clothes were damp from his dash through the drizzle.

Ethel set the stack of photos facedown on the coffee table in front of her. “I brought these pictures to show your sister. People that Jonathan might have been in contact with shortly before his death.”

Rebecca shrugged. “I don’t know how I can help.”

“They might have been watching Susan’s house before you came here or been in your neighborhood since.”

Rebecca paled. “Are they who broke into Susan’s house?”

“We’re just ruling out some remote possibilities.” Ethel flipped over the first picture. Douglas Gray.

Rebecca shook her head.

“You’re sure,” Ethel prompted.

“If I saw him, he didn’t make an impression.”

“Okay.” Ethel flipped the next photo, and heard the catch in Rebecca’s throat.

“Why, that’s Agent O’Hara.”

“Have you seen him before?”

“Seen him? He’s the agent who just took Susan and Davie to meet Director Bradshaw.”

Before Ethel could reply, her phone buzzed with an incoming text. She quickly glanced at it, struggling to keep her expression calm.

SAY NOTHING OR THEY’RE DEAD!

Chapter 31

Susan Finch felt the tension building in the pit of her stomach. Something wasn’t right. Her unease had been heightened by the sound of locking doors as soon as the Secret Service agent had gotten behind the wheel of the dark sedan. Then he’d asked her to give him her cell phone. Avoid potential tracking, he’d said. Director Bradshaw was meeting them at a safe house, and policy dictated that its location remain secure.