“Out riding Kiddo,” Eva Lou replied. “She was still really upset about Dora this morning. When she asked if she could go riding, I thought it would do her a world of good. Why? Is something the matter?”
“How long has she been gone?”
“I’m not sure. An hour or so, I suppose.”
“Do you have any idea where she was going?”
“Just up in the hills. Both dogs went with her. I understand she sometimes rides down toward Double Adobe to see . . . What’s that girl’s name again?”
“Cassie,” Joanna supplied. “Cassie Parks.”
“That’s right. Cassie. But as far as I know, Cassie’s still away on the camp-out. Joanna, are you all right? You sound funny.”
“Something’s happened to Dora Matthews,” Joanna said carefully.
“Not her again,” Eva Lou said. “What’s wrong now?”
“She’s dead.”
“Dead! My goodness! How can that be? What happened?”
“She evidently ran away from the foster home sometime overnight,” Joanna said. “She was hit by a car out on Highway 90, over near the turnoff to Kartchner Caverns.”
“Jim Bob’s outside messing with the pump,” Eva Lou said. “I’ll go tell him. We’ll take your Eagle and go out looking for Jenny right away to let her know what’s happened.”
“Go ahead,” Joanna said. “Butch and I will be there as soon as we can.
She ended that call and then dialed Frank Montoya again. “I’m not coming,” she said. “I’m going home instead. What if whoever killed Connie Haskell also killed Dora Matthews? What if they’re coming after Jenny next?”
There was a pause. “I can see why you’d be worried about that,” Frank replied at last. “If I were in your position, I’d be worried, too. But remember, this could be just a hit-and-run. It wouldn’t be the first time a hitchhiker got run over in the dark.”
“If Jenny were your child, would you settle for believing Dora’s death was nothing but a coincidence?” Joanna demanded.
“No,” Frank agreed. “I don’t suppose I would. You go on home and check on her. We’ll handle things here and keep you posted about what’s going on at the scene.”
“Thanks, Frank,” she said. “I really appreciate it.”
Joanna put down the phone. She drove for another five miles without saying a word. Once again it was Butch who broke the silence.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” he said.
Joanna gripped the steering wheel. “I am, too,” she said. “And what happened to Dora Matthews isn’t your fault.”
“I know it isn’t my fault,” Joanna said, “but just wait till I have a chance to talk to Eleanor.”
At two-fifteen they pulled into the yard at High Lonesome Ranch. Joanna’s Eagle was nowhere to be seen, which meant limn Bob and Eva Lou were probably still out searching. As Joanna and Butch stepped out of the car, Jenny came strolling out of the barn, with Sadie and Tigger following at her heels.
Joanna went running toward her and pulled Jenny into a smothering hug. “Mom!” Jenny said indignantly, pulling back. “Let go. I’m all dusty and sweaty. You’ll dirty your clothes.” Then, catching sight of her mother’s face, Jenny’s whole demeanor changed. “Mom, what’s the matter? Is something wrong?”
“Dora’s dead,” Joanna blurted out.
“Dead,” Jenny repeated
