Sounds Like Deception (Sounds Like 2)

“Thanks for showing it to me.”

“Of course.”

“Can you tell me what my mom was like? Do you have any stories about her?”

There was a long pause.

“It was a long time ago and I don’t have the best memory when it comes to college.”

“But you do remember Penny Neworth? Enough to point her out in a group photo.”

“I do. Pretty girl. Very pretty girl. She could have been a model. She had a nickname actually.”

“She did? I haven’t heard that before. What was it?”

“She had this mark. I guess girls call it a beauty mark. You know over her lip. Cindy Crawford was big back then. You know the model? And with the dark hair, it just kind of fit her. A lot of people called her Cindy.”

“Not Penny?”

“She went by either one. It was just a nickname. I don’t know if she liked it or not. I never used it. I stuck with Penny, but maybe someone else you might talk to might remember her as Cindy.”

“Thanks, that might be really helpful. I guess it’s kind of cute. Cindy?”

“Yeah, a lot of people called her Cindy.”

“What else do you remember other than her good looks?”

“She was quiet. Most of the time. Not all the time.”

“Did she study a lot?”

“I don’t remember. Sorry. It didn’t seem like she was around all that much. But I wasn’t either. I played club soccer. I was at practice most days. But we passed each other in the hall. I saw her on campus. We’d say hi.”

“You mentioned there were times when she wasn’t quiet? What was she doing? Who was she with?”

“Other girls I think.”

“What about any guys? Who was she dating?”

“I didn’t know her like that. I saw her with guys I guess, but it wasn’t like I asked who anybody was. It was college. People were in and out of the dorm. We said hi. I recognized people from class. You went to college, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Then you know you don’t commit everything to memory. Some people are there for the party. Some go to study or to play sports. No one is a private investigator. Not like what you’re doing now.”

“I realize it sounds like that, but it’s because I’m trying to piece things together. I’m trying to gauge how well you knew her. How many conversations did you two have do you think?”

“Enough for me to remember her. Not enough to give you what you want.”

“There must be something that stood out. Something other than her looks.”

“I agreed to do this because you seem like a sweet girl. And I do remember Penny, but I don’t think I have the information you need.” There was a long pause. “What if Penny Neworth doesn’t want to be found?”

“I guess I’ll ask her about that when I get to the end of this.”

“But maybe you should stop.”

“Why? Why would I stop looking for her?”