Page 25 (1/1)

"I have no idea," Austin answered "It made no sense to me then, and still doesn't now"

All four of thehtful for a moment

"You lasses back up his nose "He knew you didn't knohere she was or you would have brought her to court, so he tried to get the ju you'd stop looking"

"Probably," Austin agreed "The crash didn't do her face any favors, so the picture of the dead girl isn't ressed and there are some similarities That's on the flash drive too"

"That's all they have?" Michael asked "Just the photo of a dead girl?"

"That's it," Austin answered "When no one claiia's identification was found in a purse several yards away froia, but I sure don't want it to be"

"When was the car crash?"

"Three years ago"

Jackie stood up, walked to the , took a moment to absorb what she had heard, and then turned to face Austin again "Didn't you hire an investigator when you first found out?"

"I contacted you, but when you said you couldn't take the case, I hired an old college buddy of mine, Spence Wilkins His report is on the flash drive too He didn't learnschool, right? Did Mr Wilkins go there?" Jackie asked

"He did, but they wouldn't tell hi They wouldn't even confirht was odd Outside the school, Spence talked to one of the older girls She reirl who never once had a visitor She received no cards either at Christmas or on her birthday, and no one came to take her home on holidays"

Carl was incredulous "Not one visitor in what…twelve years?"

"Poor kid," Michaelto hate both Mr and Mrs Mathew Connelly"

"Not as much as I do," Austin promised

Jackie shook her head "I sure hope she's not in a mental institution by now"

"Or worse We should look forshots?"

"Yeah, they would already have her DNA on file You could take her case and get her out of prison"

Austin chuckled "I see your point I'ood ones"

"It would be easier, but I hope she's not in prison," said Jackie