Chapter 5

The diamond necklace in Mom's hand dropped and hit the floor with a sharp clatter. "What did you say?"

Her hand jerked as she clutched the phone, her voice going shrill in an instant. "Are you kidding me?

"I'm Claire's mother. She was calling me this afternoon, faking illness. How could she possibly be dead?

"Who the hell are you? You dare to scam the Foster family?"

The officer's voice was all business and serious. "Mrs. Foster, this is not a joke.

"The body is right here with us. After a preliminary examination by the medical examiner, the estimated time…