"Fine," he said. "You?"
"Good."
She offered him a brief smile. "I hear Allie's parents are living in Jackson."
"That's right."
"I'm glad they were able to reconcile."
"So are we."
She licked her lips nervously. "What's Chief McCormick doing now?"
Finally getting hold of the sack, Clay handed it to Whitney. "He's been hired to handle security for a big company there. He likes it."
"And her mother?"
"She's teaching piano lessons."
"That sounds ideal."
"It seems to be working." He started to move on, but she spoke again, giving him the impression she couldn't bear to see him go.
"How's your own mother?"
Irene was doing surprisingly well, considering the heartbreak she'd suffered when Allie's father reconciled with his wife and relocated. "She's keeping busy."
"I run into her every once in a while. At the dress shop." Beth Ann smiled prettily at him again. "Anyway, it's good to see you."
"Take care." He turned away, but he and Whitney hadn't gone two feet before Allie came rushing back to meet them. He could tell by the look on her face that something was wrong.
"What is it?" he asked.
She drew him farther away from Beth Ann and lowered her voice. "Grace just called."
"What did she say?"
She stared down at her cell phone for a moment, then met his gaze, her eyes filled with worry. "They just found Barker's car in the quarry."