Silent Run

him.” Her voice was edged with bitterness. “I don’t know why I thought I could."
    â€œI remember how stubborn he was,” Catherine murmured.
    â€œYes. Now, you said something about Jessica in your e-mail?"
    â€œI also recently learned that Jessica was living in San Francisco near Andy, and... well, she disappeared the day after he died. I’m trying to find her. I wonder if you know where she is now."
    There was a long pause on the other end of the phone. “I know this much, Catherine: Jessica was in a lot of trouble. She asked Andy to make her some fake IDs for her and her baby. Two days later Andy was dead."
    â€œI’m so sorry, Adele."
    â€œMe, too. I don’t know what happened to Jessica after that. I always liked her, but not as much as Andy did. He had a soft spot for her. I know he helped her over the years, not just a few months ago. Several years ago she actually stayed with us for a couple of nights. She was using a different name then -- Sarah, I think it was. She said she’d gotten into some bad trouble, and she couldn’t trust anyone. She looked horrible at the time, terrified of her own shadow. I think Andy helped set her up with a job, and then I didn’t see her again. To be honest, Andy and I were fighting, and I didn’t really care what he was doing. I just wanted to get on with my life. I wasted too many years trying to turn him into a law-abiding citizen. I couldn’t do it anymore.” Her voice caught. “But I miss him. I still miss him."
    â€œYou loved him. I loved him, too."
    â€œWell, life goes on. That’s what Andy always used to tell me when I had a problem. Is that all you wanted?"
    â€œCan you think of anyone else Jessica might have run to after Andy died -- if she still needed help?” Catherine asked.
    â€œI don’t know what was up with the man she had the baby with. Aside from him, I would have thought you, maybe. She talked about you sometimes, but she said she was afraid to bring trouble in her wake. I guess she thought Andy with his superhero talents could fend off any danger. But she was wrong. He wasn’t a superhero; he was just a nut.” Adele paused and then added, “Oh, wait -- Andy kept in touch sometimes with Teresa. She became a female boxer, even opened her own gym somewhere. Andy was quite impressed. I remember that he told her he was going to draw a female superhero character after her."
    â€œDo you know where the gym is?"
    â€œI can’t remember. I think it was somewhere in LA. I have to go, Catherine. I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t really want to get involved in anything having to do with Jessica or any of the rest of you."
    â€œI understand,” Catherine said. “Thanks for calling me back.” Catherine hung up the phone and let out a sigh. “I guess Teresa is our next best bet."
    â€œCan’t be too many female boxers with the name Teresa,” Dylan said, excited about the new lead. But he could see by the expression on Catherine’s face that she wasn’t feeling nearly so good. “Are you all right?” Her cheeks were pale and her eyes were bleak.
    â€œI’m sad for Andy and worried about Jessica. And I have to admit it kind of stung to have Adele tell me not to call her again, to stay out of her life. I don’t know why it bothers me, though. It’s not the first time I’ve heard those words.” She forced a false smile. “Adele called Jessica Sarah, so I guess that’s her name now. They’re the same person."
    â€œAre you ready to go to LA?"
    â€œYou don’t even stop to take a breath, do you? I’m still reeling from finding out Andy is dead."
    â€œI know, Catherine, and I’m sorry if I’m rushing you, but we need to find Sarah before what happened to Andy happens to her.”

Chapter Twenty

    Sarah awoke disoriented and alone. She sat up abruptly, then blew out a breath of relief when she saw Jake tapping the computer keys, a stream of sunlight coming through the window.
    â€œI made coffee,” he said, without looking up from what he was doing.
    â€œThanks,” she mumbled. Since Jake had obviously taken a shower and changed his clothes, she decided to do the same. She stumbled out of bed, grabbed her duffel bag, and headed toward the bathroom. She had a bad case of morning breath, and she suspected her hair looked like a family of birds had made a nest