Jill Elizabeth Nelson by Legacy of Lies Page B

head full of protocols on handling cold cases. He’d spent longer than he intended with the forensics experts, but it was worth the extra time to visit with the tech handling the evidence. The guy was a potent blend of sharp, level-headed and eager.
    Already he’d determined that what had looked like dirt twined in the folds of cloth that wrapped the baby’s remains was actually decayed rose petals. Another indication that whoever buried the child felt some sort of compassion or remorse, and unfortunately for Nicole, pointed even more strongly toward Frank and/or Jan Keller having played a part in the kidnapping—if indeed the remains were those of Samuel Elling. The tech also gave an educated opinion that the child had died and been buried within the time frame that the Elling baby was taken. He’d started the DNA testing for the bones and the hair from the brush Hannah had given Nicole. They’d soon know if Samuel had been discovered under the Kellers’ rose bushes.
    Rich returned to the hospital, a part of him a tad tooeager to lay eyes on Nicole again. Who knows how long she’d even tolerate his presence if the evidence forced him to slap cuffs on an old woman in a hospital bed. But why should it matter what she thought of him? He needed to forget Nicole. For now. Maybe forever.
    Her voice carried to him as he neared Jan Keller’s room, and his heart rate quickened. Was Jan awake? He knocked, and Nicole invited him in.
    â€œHi.” He grinned at her.
    She answered with a wan smile and closed the book on her lap.
    His gaze darted to the figure on the bed. No, Jan wasn’t awake. She lay still and pale, head wrapped in gauze and bandages. If not for the slow, steady beep of the heart monitor, it would be hard to tell she was alive.
    â€œI was reading to her.” Nicole lifted the book. “They say folks in a coma can hear what’s going on around them. Did you have a good day?”
    â€œInformative.” And frustrating that there’d been another robbery. But she didn’t need to know about that or the preliminary forensics results. “Would you like a ride back to Ellington?”
    â€œMaybe I should stay here.” Jan’s hand lay outside the covers, and Nicole covered it with her own. “If she does have a shred of awareness, I want her to know that someone who loves her is nearby.”
    â€œDid you bring enough clothing to stay longer?”
    Nicole shook her head. “I was in too much of a hurry to think that far ahead.” She sighed. “I guess I’ll go home with you now then turn around and drive my own car back here tomorrow.”
    Rich’s heart leaped, but he shoved the rebellious organ back into place. A few more hours spent getting to knowNicole might turn out to be diabolical torture. Chances were that any hope of a relationship was doomed to disappointment.
    Â 
    The drive to Ellington passed too quickly. Nicole was easy to talk to, despite the heavy issues that lay between them. They’d continued their pact of the night before and kept the subjects light. The sun had sunk halfway below the horizon when they glided past the Cenex service station on the edge of town.
    â€œHome, sweet home,” Rich murmured, and Nicole answered with a smile. He didn’t respond in kind. “I’m still not a hundred percent happy with leaving you alone in your grandmother’s house.”
    â€œWorry wort. I’ll be fine. I have a hunch that if Grandma’s attacker was after something he either found it or discovered it wasn’t there.”
    â€œAs in, Jan told him she’d already destroyed it?”
    Nicole looked away.
    He didn’t voice the thought that hung in the air, thick as fog. Maybe once Jan Keller admitted she’d done away with evidence, the last thing that needed to be destroyed for the killer to feel safe was Jan herself.
    â€œCan we stop by the shop quick?” Nicole asked.