Ann Shackleton was sitting up in bed wearing a powder-blue cardigan over her hospital gown. The air conditioning had been cranked way up on this hot day, and the private room was downright chilly. Evan sat in the guest chair. He’d asked Luke to wait just outside in the hallway. Evan had bargained with the boy to come with him on the condition that they’d have some answer about Melissa by tomorrow. Evan knew that was a tall order. He’d asked Luke to stand outside until he could determine whether Ann was sufficiently aware of her surroundings and reasonably calm.
The old woman looked apple-cheeked and happy. She had oxygen tubes in her nostrils and was sipping juice from a straw.
“No one told me you are a faith healer!” she announced gleefully. “I’d have asked for the moon! Maybe you’ve co
