I frowned.
“Why would they call you?”
Richard looked toward the window.
“Because I was the last person Claire tried to contact.”
I froze.
“She called you?”
He nodded.
“She left me a voicemail that afternoon.”
“What did she say?”
His voice shook as he repeated the message.
“She said they would be passing through Riverton around nine that evening. She wanted me to meet my granddaughter.”
My knees suddenly felt weak.
I remembered that night.
Daniel and Claire had left Ellie with me, saying they were going out together.
They never returned.
“They told me they were having a date night,” I whispered.
Richard shook his head.
“They weren’t going on a date.”
I stared at him.
“Then where were they going?”
“They were coming to see me.”
For several seconds, I couldn’t speak.
“Did you see them?”
Richard closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
He explained that Claire and Daniel had arrived at his house just as promised.
