Chapter 170: Her Mother's Love, Part 12, The Present

KLEMPNER

My door stands open and a figure in uniform appears, Sutcliffe. He taps knuckles, quietly, onto the metal. "Mr Klempner, do you have a moment?"

Lying on the bed, I lower my novel. "I have no other appointments today, Sutcliffe. What can I do for you?"

His eyes dart right and left along the corridor then he steps inside the cell. "Sir, that woman you're interested in... They've found her."

Jolting, I drop the book to the floor, then swing my legs down to sit upright. "Her? Mitch? Michelle Kimberley?"

"Yes, sir."

"Where is she?"

"With them."

With them?

"Them? You mean Summerford and Alexanders?"

"Yes, sir. She's with them and... and your daughter..." He speaks the last word uncertainly. "... She's staying in their home."

"The place in the mountains?"

"So I understand, sir."

I pluck at a lip. "Why would she do that?" I'm not really talking to Sutcliffe, but he replies anyway.

"If they're the long-lost mother and daughter, that might be reason enough."