“I have no opinion in the matter. I’m merely here to get the true story. For some reason you and your mother have been unwilling to cooperate.”
Lorinda did not reply, but seemed to be thinking deeply.
“Do you have any idea where your stepfather is now?” Penny inquired, hoping that a direct approach might glean information.
“No, of course not.”
“You haven’t seen him for the past ten days?”
“That is true,” Lorinda acknowledged with great reluctance. “But it’s not so unusual. My stepfather frequently goes away on trips.”
“Without telling anyone where he is going?”
“I’ll not answer that question,” Lorinda said with a proud uptilt of her chin.
“I’m afraid you don’t like reporters very well,” observed Penny pleasantly. “Nor do you seem especially fond of your stepfather.”
“That’s not true! I do like my stepfather. Why, he was the one who taught me how to shoot with a bow and arrow! He gave me this bow which is a valuable collector’s item!”