While the couple slumbered in the warmest corner of the church, the storm blew itself out.
Just before sunrise, alarmed his daughter had not returned home, James Heitschmidt bundled himself heavily against the cold and walked across town to Allison Spencer"s house. He knocked on the door with precipitous urgency.
A moment later, Allison poked her head out. The young spinster"s eyes looked red and heavy, and dark circles marred the tanned skin underneath. “Mr. Heitschmidt, what"s going on?”
“Kristina didn"t come home last night,” he blurted. “Did she stay here?”
“No.” Allison shook her head vigorously. “She brought me home from the funeral and left again.”
“Did she say anything?” he demanded. “Did she give any indication of… uh… umm…?”
Behind Allison, a small, slim figure had moved in
