"She could have been afraid she'd be arrested for her boyfriend's death," he added.
Hannah turned to him, grabbing onto his theory. "And Kelly didn't think anyone would believe it was self-defense." She looked back at Adam. "What happens now?"
"The investigation is continuing on multiple fronts. I'm working with the police in Colorado Springs and in Rocky Point where the campground is located. The rangers are also involved in collecting evidence in the park. We're, of course, still looking for your sister and following up with as many coworkers and friends of Kelly and Russ Miller as we can find."
"You got my message about Kelly being pregnant?"
"Yes. I have to tell you that no one mentioned it to me. The only photo we have of Kelly is from the ATM she used in Colorado Springs before she left town. In that grainy image, she doesn't look pregnant, but she was wearing a big coat over what looked like leggings and boots, so it was hard to tell. However, I will follow up and see what I can find out about that. I don't know that it changes anything, although it might play into some kind of motive."
"Should I feel relieved that Kelly isn't in danger from this man?" Hannah asked slowly.
"He definitely can't hurt her," Adam said, giving her a compassionate look. "How's her kid doing?"
"He's doing well. We went to the snow park with everyone today. I'm trying to distract him, but he keeps asking about his mother. I don't know what to tell him."
"As little as possible is probably good."
"I just wish I knew where Kelly is now," Hannah said, fear in her voice. "There's more snow coming in tomorrow. I hate to think of her out alone in the mountains somewhere."
"Your sister has been very resourceful so far," he interjected. "She's doing everything she can do to survive."
"I know, but she must be so scared."
Adam got to his feet. "Hopefully, we'll have more news soon, but I wanted to give you an update. I'll see myself out."
As Adam left the kitchen, Hannah let out a troubled, frustrated sigh. "I was not expecting to hear any of that."
"Nor was I," he admitted. "What do you think?"
"If Kelly killed a man, it had to be in self-defense. But I also wonder if she's ever coming back. Maybe she left Brett for me to raise. I know she'd never want to go to prison. She was incredibly claustrophobic. She once had a panic attack in a line at an amusement park when the space got small and dark. On the other hand, would she really run away and leave her son? And what about the baby she's carrying?"
"I think we're going to have to wait and see how this plays out."
"You need to go see Trevor. He could at least tell us if she is pregnant. He saw her and spoke to her. Did we ever tell Adam about Trevor?"
He frowned, as he got to his feet. "I don't think so. Let me see what he has to say, and then I'll fill Adam in."
"Okay."
As they walked out of the kitchen, the doorbell rang once more.
"Maybe Adam has already found out something else," Hannah said.
But it wasn't Adam on the porch this time; it was Hannah's mother, Katherine Stark.
He inwardly groaned. He hadn't had one conversation with Katherine since he'd returned to town, although he'd seen her in the distance a few times, but they'd both been happy to avoid each other.
"You," she said, her voice filled with anger. "What are you doing here?"
"I don't think that's any of your business," he said shortly.
Her lips parted in surprise, as if she couldn't believe he'd just said that.
"Jake is helping me with Brett," Hannah put in.
"Why?" Katherine asked.
"Because he is, Mom," Hannah snapped.
Katherine turned back to him, scorn in her gaze. "I told you to leave my daughter alone a long time ago."
"When did you tell him that?" Hannah cut in.
"Back when you were in high school. He came by to beg for your forgiveness, and I told him you would never ever forgive him, and he didn't deserve it."
Hannah appeared shocked at that piece of information. "You never told me that."
"I'm sure I did." Katherine gave him another searing look. "You still don't deserve forgiveness. You hurt my daughter."
He wanted to say she'd hurt her daughter far more than he had, but he thought it was better to just walk away. "I'm going to go," he told Hannah. "I'll be in touch."
She gave him a troubled look. "Let me know what Trevor says."
"I will," he said, then headed down the path.
He was almost to the truck when he heard Katherine say, "Seriously, Hannah, what are you doing with Jake?"
Unfortunately, he couldn't hear Hannah's answer. Maybe that was just as well.
Chapter Thirteen
"I asked you a question," her mom said, as they stepped into the house.
Hannah gave her a warning look. "Don't speak so loudly. Brett is asleep."
"I just don't understand why you would be with a man you hate," her mom continued, as they moved into the living room and sat down.
"It's complicated, Mom. Jake has been helping me with Brett."
"Why aren't your friends helping you?"
"My friends?" she echoed. "A better question might be why isn't my mother helping me? You're Brett's grandmother, and you wouldn't even see him yesterday."
Guilt moved through her mother's eyes. "Well, I was busy yesterday, but I'm here now." She paused. "I'd like to meet him."
"I told you, he's sleeping."
"He certainly takes a lot of naps."
"He's four. Do you want to come back later?"
"Maybe I should just wait."
"You want to wait?" she asked in surprise. "It could be a while. I'm sure you have other things to do. Why don't you go home, and I'll call you when he wakes up?"
"I'd rather stay."
"Well, I can't entertain you. I have to make three dozen cookies before tomorrow."
Her mom's green eyes lit up. "I can help with that. I'm great
