Page 21 of Summer of Love (Costas Sisters 2)
“Sam’s room and the whole downstairs. I was sleeping in my bed, so he didn’t touch the master bedroom.”
“And it happened this morning?”
“It was sometime after you left for work and your mother went for her daily walk,” her father said.
“Without his hearing aids, he doesn’t hear anything,” Elena paused her pacing long enough to chime in.
Nicholas shot her a scowl. He hated any reference to the devices even though they made a huge difference in his hearing.
“Where was Sam during all this?” Zoe asked.
“She was asleep, too,” her mother said too quickly, her gaze darting away, a sure sign she was lying.
Elena was protecting Sam. Had the young girl heard or seen something? Zoe wondered.
“Has anyone called Quinn?” Zoe wouldn’t bring Sam and Ima out now in front of the police, but as soon as Quinn arrived, they’d sort things out.
“Detective Donovan is on his way,” the youngest officer assured Zoe.
“And we’ve gotten statements from Mr. and Mrs. Costas,” the other uniformed man said. “At first glance, nothing seems to be missing, but let us know if you realize differently. In the meantime, we’ve dusted for prints and will keep you posted if anything comes up.”
“Thank you,” Elena said.
“And Detective Donovan will talk to the girl?” He glanced down at his notepad. “Samantha.”
Elena nodded. “Not that I see why,” she muttered.
By not insisting they speak to Sam now, the officers were obviously extending a courtesy to Quinn, an ex-detective, and Zoe was grateful they didn’t insist and traumatize her in the process.
“Who is this?” the second officer, one who couldn’t be older than his early twenties, asked, pointing to Zoe.
Nicholas wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “This is our daughter, Zoe.”
“She lives here?”
Zoe nodded. “I do.”
“I’m going to need to know where you were this morning and if anyone can vouch for your whereabouts.”
“That’s enough,” her father bellowed.
“Of all the outrageous things!” Elena said, also clearly affronted.
“They’re just doing their jobs,” Zoe reassured her parents. “Relax.” Zoe supplied the officer with all the pertinent information, and after they had spoken with Aunt Dee and Uncle John, who hadn’t seen or heard a thing, they took off.
Zoe sighed. “It’s okay, Sam. You can come out now.”
“The cops are gone?” Her voice sounded muffled.
Zoe pulled the pantry door open wide, and Sam stepped out, the pig in her arms.
“Yes, they’re gone, but that isn’t the question. Why would you hide from the police?”
Elena pulled Sam into her arms. “My poor baby.” She squeezed the girl tight, so her face was smashed into her chest.
“I mmmbrrsffft.”
“What?” Elena asked.
“She probably said something like she can’t breathe.” Zoe released her mother’s grip, and Sam ducked out from under her.
“Exactly.” Sam gulped in a breath of air. “I didn’t want them to tell me I have to give Ima away like we did with Spank.”
Zoe nodded. “I thought so. Don’t worry. The laws about pigs are more lenient around here. Now tell me what you heard and saw and don’t leave out a thing.”
Sam rubbed her hands up and down her bare arms. “I got up and was coming out of the bathroom when I heard a noise in my room. I knew Elena was taking her morning meditative walk, and you said you had an early appointment.”
“How’d you know it wasn’t Dad?”
Sam rolled her eyes. “He was snoring, and the sound shook the walls.”
Zoe tried not to laugh. “I see. What happened next?”
“I peeked into my room and saw a guy snooping around.” She shuddered, then began to skulk around giving them an exaggerated, charade-like description. “He opened the drawers, tossed things around, and then he started coming toward the door, so I ducked back into the bathroom. I hid in the tub like this.” She crouched down, hands over her head like in an emergency drill. “So if he looked in, he wouldn’t see me.”
Like most of the Costas’ relatives, Sam had a knack for the dramatic, and despite her fear, which was evident in her wide eyes, she was still milking her moment now.
“Looks like the kid’s got a future career as a spy.” Quinn walked into the room. A complete air of authority surrounded him as all eyes looked his way, and Sam beamed at what she took as a compliment.
Quinn forced a smile, and though Zoe could read the concern on his face, she admired his self-restraint in not shaking Sam to get the facts out of her faster.
“Keep talking, squirt,” Quinn said.
“Quit calling me that. Anyway, I finally heard him going down the stairs. I hung out at the top and watched him toss the kitchen and family room next. I was going to wake Nicholas up, but I got scared. I was too afraid to move because I might make noise. Then all of a sudden, Ima squealed from her crate in the kitchen, and I guess he got nervous and thought someone might come down to check the pig and find him there. He left out the back door to the kitchen.” She finished out of breath.
