He had to give Russell credit. The report was so complete that Andrew could only marvel at the private investigator’s contacts throughout the country. Would it be enough to convince Caitlin’s family of her innocence? The newspaper reports had been damning, but then no one ever claimed that the press was unbiased. While the loss of thirty thousand dollars in a real-estate swindle wouldn’t even make the front page in New York City, in Weldon, West Virginia, it had been the headline for two weeks straight. SIMON REED DISAPPEARS WITH 30K. LOCAL GIRL SOUGHT FOR QUESTIONING DID SHE OR DIDN’T SHE? D.A SAYS EVIDENCE DOESN’T SUPPORT INDICTMENT OF MS. ADAMS That didn’t stop the people of Weldon from speculating on the guilt of Caitlin Adams. The consensus seemed to be that she was in South America living off her fortune with Simon Reed. Thirty thousand dollars, a fortune? Were they for real? Obviously so, for Caitlin had never set foot in her hometown again.
