« You know that name, » I said.
She swallowed.
« I’ve heard it. »
My heart began pounding so hard that I felt it in my neck.
« Where? »
She looked toward the ocean.
« I think we should sit down. »
« No. »
She frowned.
« I need you to tell me where you got that bag. »
« Please. »
« No. Tell me now. »
She pressed her lips together.
Then she nodded toward a bench near the railing.
« I bought it. »
That answer almost knocked the air out of me.
« Bought it where? »
« At a thrift store. »
I stared at her.
« When? »
« A long time ago. »
« How long? »
She hesitated.
« Maybe 14 years. »
I felt something inside me sink.
Fourteen years.
That meant the bag had changed hands not long after Gia disappeared.
« Where was the store? »
« Virginia. »
« What town? »
She rubbed her forehead.
« I don’t remember exactly. My sister lived near Richmond then. We stopped at some little place outside the city. »
