“He sent me a nice letter when Ben died. I had to handle the funeral and all. But Morris could always be polite when he needed to be. It didn’t stop him from hanging out with drug dealers and criminals. My grandfather was certain that he was involved with a drug lord. I think that was why he disappeared, and I still think Morris was responsible. I just have no way to prove it.”

“Haven’t you talked to Banks about that? After all, he’s working the cold case as I understand it.”

“He doesn’t know about me and Tad and Morris,” she said miserably. “I was afraid to tell anyone. I have a stepbrother in prison for assault, and I work for a law enforcement agency. I was afraid they’d fire me and I’d lose custody of Tad.”

“I don’t think there’s any chance that Banks would fire you, Clancey. He’s not that sort of person.”

“I was afraid to take the chance. I guess he’ll know soon. He’ll have me dig out the file on Morris. It’s all in there.”

“Don’t take it so hard,” the other woman said gently. “You have friends who’ll go to bat for you. Besides that, Morris has made threats against Darrell Tarley since he got out. They’ll be on his tail wherever he goes.”

“That helps.” Clancey sighed.

“You aren’t going to try to live in the same house with Morris, are you?” Melody added.

“No chance of that. Tad and I have a new apartment. We’re moving in tomorrow.”

“Okay. If you’ll give me the address...”

“You can have my cell phone number,” Clancey interrupted. “It’s much better than an address for snail mail. I can even get email and texts on it,” she laughed. “Got a pen?” She gave Melody the number.

“That’s great,” Melody said. “If I hear anything, I’ll call you.”

“Thanks so much.”

“No problem. It’s what we’re here for. You take care.”

“You, too.”

Clancey hung up. She laid her head on her desk and groaned silently. Why was life so hard? she wondered. It would have been easy to just sink into the misery she felt, but she had Tad to consider. She’d have to tell him tonight, before Cal came to the house, and she’d have to swear her little brother to secrecy about what they were going to do. She knew from past experience how dangerous Morris could be. She had the memory of two broken ribs and Tad’s concussion to remind her.

Banks had a long lunch with Grace, during which she spoke at length about her devotion to her faith and the adventures she’d had in South America. She spoke of Mike Johns, as well.