"It's our actions that put us in harm's way. Life isn't always fair."

"What are you going to tell him?" she asked. "That he was an unlucky jerk and his loss of memory was probably a good thing in the long pull?"

"You could lie and tell him Humphries said it wasn't really his fault and his mother was just upset at losing a daughter. Saying that might go further toward getting him to forget the kidnapping and murder and going on with his life."

"I'll tell him the basics; Humphries was living in the area and knew his family slightly and that I'm convinced he didn't abduct Annie. I see no reason not to mention my suspicion about John Luke Grasso and his connection to Willard. Maybe that tidbit will take his mind off this obsession with his past."

Betsy nodded in agreement. "You're probably right. Lying has a way of coming back on you. Do you suppose any of these relatives Howie is trying to reach will be as candid about his early years as Reverend Humphries?"

"I'm not sure how well they knew him. Even if they did, I can't see them telling him very much." I changed the subject. "What are our plans for getting out of here?"

"I arranged to ship Quinn's equipment back to New Hampshire tomorrow so that's out of the way. We can spare a little time in Santa Barbara. Molly wants to use the pool and frankly, I feel safer here, at least for a couple of days. We'll see how it goes with Howie. I'd feel much better if he returned with us but if he insists on staying, it's his choice. Julie can decide for herself as well. I'm a little tired of making other people's decisions for them. By tomorrow we'll have a better handle on the situations, enough at least to make flight arrangements."

I got up from the bed. "I'll talk to Howie," I said as I readied to leave the room.

"I'll take Julie and Molly shopping. Neither has a bathing suit. We paid for the swimming pool so we might as well use it."

Howie said nothing as I related in detail most, at least, of what I'd learned from Willard Humphries. I blew off his attempt to learn details of his involvement in Annie's abduction.

"His only recollection is that you were as devastated over your sister as everyone else. Put it behind you, Howie. Get on with your life. Think of Julie and Molly." I wanted to add, instead of just you, but I didn't.

I thought he was pondering what I said until he spoke up. "Ben, could you start up Quinn's machines and see if maybe you could get them to work? You're a smart guy and between us, maybe we could fix it so I could go back. It scares me but I really have to know."




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