Whispers and Lies (38 page)

“Oh, dear God,” Cindy cried, rocking back and forth.

Neil extricated the paper from Cindy’s hands. “What is it?”

“No, please no.”

It was then she heard the noise from somewhere beside them. “What’s going on in here?” Paul asked from the doorway. “Mrs. Carver? What are you doing in here?”

Cindy scrambled to her feet, lunged at the startled young man, naked except for the white towel wrapped around his waist. “Where’s my daughter? What have you done with her?”

Paul took a step back, clutching the towel at his hips. “I don’t know. Honestly, I have no idea where she is.”

“You’re lying.”

“I really think you should leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I speak to Sean.”

“I already told you I don’t know when he’ll be back.”

“Is he with Julia?”

“No way. Julia ripped his guts out, man. Look, I’m gonna have to call the police if you don’t clear out of here right now.”

Neil looked up from the pages he was reading and yanked the phone from the small table beside Sean’s bed, thrust it toward Paul. “Call them,” he said.