Emma pushed through the outline. Hope rose when she came to his mention of how a couple of earlier domestic books on the case failed to include input from the killers.

Laws protect their identities. They can never be disclosed…

Emma found refuge in the fact that Ben would never know the entire truth, but as she read on, her heart sank.

…however, a check with justice officials confirms that nothing prevents a biographer from including the voices of The Skull Sisters, now grown women, as long as they agree to be interviewed and their identities remain concealed. The challenge will be locating them.

Gooseflesh rose on Emma’s arms.

Even if she proved untraceable… What if he talked to the others?

“Hello.”

The voice of the man who’d answered the phone sounded older.

“Hello,” Ben said, “Paul Tullock?”

“Yes, I’m Paul Tullock. Who’s calling?”

Buoyed at success in reaching Roy Tullock’s brother in Vancouver after many attempts, Ben sat up at his desk in his office where he was working while Emma read the outline.

“Mr. Tullock, my name’s Ben Grant, I’m calling from California…” Over the next few minutes, he explained his intentions, allowing Tullock a moment to digest everything.

“It’s all still as fresh to us as it was on the day we were told,” Tullock said. “You just never get over a thing like that.”

Ben respectfully conveyed his sympathies and made his request.

“Yes, we’ll talk to you for your book,” Paul said. “It just so happens, Lynn and I were planning to go to Eternity to tend to some things. We could arrange to meet and talk to you there.”

“I appreciate that,” Ben said. “I’m also trying to reach your niece, Victoria. I’d like to talk to her. Could you help me with that? Or offer any direction?”

There was a long pause before Paul Tullock let out a breath. “Torrie? She doesn’t talk to anyone, much less about the murders. She’s something of an introvert, I guess.”

“Do you have a number, email or address for her you could share?”

“Not really, we protect her privacy. She travels, keeps to herself. You see, she inherited the bulk of my brother’s estate. His farm equipment operation was franchised and is doing well across the country. She’s a board member of the corporation. I was too, until I retired.” Tullock exhaled. “That said, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you.”

Ben ended the call and a knock sounded at his office door.

Emma entered holding the outline and sat in the chair in front of his desk.

Putting his elbows on his desk, Ben steepled his hands. “So?”

“It’s very good, Ben. A few typos I circled.” She handed it to him.