EIGHTEEN
Laura Neville lived in an upscale condo that was within walking distance of the Broadway Plaza shopping mall, Walnut Creek’s main attraction.
“All a bit tidy, isn’t it,” Freddie said as he pulled into a parking space, then looked out at the manicured lawns.
Vivian shrugged. The suburbs all looked the same to her, and she never much liked shopping in malls.
“She knows, right?” Vivian said.
“About Joanna?”
Vivian nodded.
“She must know, it’s been all over the news.”
“What do we tell her about us?”
“Us?”
“How we found out about her.”
“You lie, love.”
Vivian looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“You make something up.”
“Like what?”
“Tell her Joanna mentioned she was going to have breakfast with her. You say what you need to say to get the story.”
“Whether it’s true or no
