webnovel

Chapter 44

The quiet swallowed up Ruth Butler's cottage. For half a second the world came to a standstill. Jon wanted to rejoice with her, but there would be no joy until they found Annie alive. Sunlight streamed through the cottage doorway, caught each painting of Annie, and pooled on the floor where the white cat took up a curled position. The light brought to Jon's attention the awards and school honors that were taped to the wall between each of the paintings.

Jon stood near Ruth. Her face was too white. He stepped closer to her and took her arm. "Perhaps you'd like to take a seat?"

A whistle rose from the kitchen.

"The kettle ..." Ruth mumbled.

"How about that tea now?" Jon offered. Stop being so stupidly cheerful, no one has given her anything she didn't know.

Constable Craig said, "I'll get the tea."

Jon turned toward Ruth. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. It broke his heart.

"I knew it," she whispered. "I knew it."