I grabbed the phone tighter.
“Why didn’t you tell police?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of him?”
“No.”
She shut her eyes.
“Of what would happen to me.”
The answer disgusted me because it was so painfully believable.
She had stayed silent to save herself.
Then spent three months helping Howard attack me.
“You could have told them.”
“I know.”
“You could have saved Vicky from all this.”
“I know.”
“You knew Howard threatened Dad, and you still tried to take my sister!”
Her voice broke.
“I know!”
People in nearby booths looked over.
Denise lowered her head.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then she whispered:
“There is something else.”
I almost laughed.
“Of course there is.”
“Howard kept a second phone.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to find it?”
“No.”
She looked up.
“I know who does.”
“Who?”
“Vicky.”
My blood froze.
“What are you talking about?”
