“I understand, Mom,” River said, “but I’d hire round-the-clock help before I made a decision like that.”

Rose smiled. “I appreciate that, but . . .” Rose sighed. “I’m a proud woman, River. You know that. I don’t want to lose my dignity. Please, move me someplace if that ever begins to happen. Please. I don’t want anyone to see me if I’m . . . Well, if I’m not me. Promise me, okay?”

River was aware that if the disease progressed as it had for so many, putting her mother in a memory care center might happen at some point, but right now she couldn’t think about that. River was determined to keep her mother at home, but for Rose’s own piece of mind, she said, “All right, Mom. I promise. But my intention is to keep you at home as long as possible. And I’ll safeguard your dignity. You have my word.”

Her mother stood up. “Thank you, honey. Now you get things ready for Tony. I want him to feel comfortable here.” She started to leave the kitchen but turned back and looked at her daughter. “I love you, River. I always have. I need you to know that. Never forget it, okay?”

“I won’t, Mom.”

When Rose left, River grabbed a paper towel and dried her face. At that moment, she felt the kind of love for her mother that a daughter should feel. It was wonderful and awful all at the same time. Now that she and Rose had grown closer, the fear of losing her was so strong her body trembled, and she couldn’t seem to make it stop.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-THREE

Tony put his suitcases in the rear of the SUV. In the back seat were duffel bags full of the other possessions he was able to save. Files, records, photos, and a few knickknacks that meant something to him. The apartment owner was on site, making sure the building was secure. Tony still had things in his apartment that he didn’t want to lose, but as long as looters couldn’t get inside, he felt assured for now. The owner had advised him that he would need to put any furniture he wanted to save in storage while repairs were being made. Thankfully, he had good renter’s insurance. On Monday he’d call his agent.

He climbed into the driver’s seat. Watson was in his crate, which was balanced on the passenger seat. The way he looked at Tony made him emotional. The little dog looked sad and confused. When the explosion happened, Watson was on the couch. Tony immediately dove for him, covering Watson with his body. Thankfully, the flash from the fire didn’t burn his back, even though he felt the heat. He’d quickly found Watson’s crate, put him in it, and gotten him outside. He knew smoke could really hurt an animal. A kind neighbor who was already outside stayed with Watson while Tony ran back in to quickly grab what he could. After the fire department put out the fire, he was allowed to go back and pack anything else that wasn’t ruined. His bedroom was a total loss. All of the furniture. All the clothes in his closet. It was such a blessing that he’d just done a load of laundry and that there were clean clothes in the dryer. If it hadn’t been for that, he would have had to go to the local department store in his dirty sweat pants and FBI T-shirt to buy something to wear.

He’d changed into a pair of clean jeans and a sweatshirt. His jacket was okay. It had been in the front closet. It had a faint smell of smoke, but it wasn’t too bad. All in all, Tony felt blessed. He looked over at Watson, who was watching him closely.

“Thank you for taking care of us, God,” he said. “Thank you that Watson is safe. If he had gone into the bedroom . . .” He broke down and cried from the wave of gratitude that washed over him. God was good.

He’d asked the fire chief who was at the scene what had caused the explosion. Tony hadn’t been able to inspect his bedroom because of the fire.

“Until our investigator looks things over,” the chief had said, “I’d only be guessing. It will have to wait.”

“There wasn’t anything in my bedroom that could have exploded like that,” he told the chief. “I may have heard glass breaking before I saw the flash and heard the blast.”

“We may need to talk to you,” the chief said. “How can we reach you?”

Tony pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. Thankfully, he’d put it in his desk drawer when he got home. He handed the chief one of his cards.

“You’re a private investigator?” he asked.

“Yeah, now. I used to work for the FBI—in the BAU. Left about a year ago. Then a few months back my partner and I moved here. Her mother is ill, and she needed to care for her.”

Tony wasn’t certain why he was telling the chief, whose last name was Magruder according to the name on his badge, his whole life story. For some reason, the chief’s demeanor made him a little nervous. Surely, he didn’t think Tony was responsible for the fire. Of course, it did seem as if the initial detonation happened in his bedroom. Did that seem suspicious? He wanted to ask Chief Magruder if he was a suspect, but he was suddenly afraid it might make him look guilty. Tony wasn’t used to being on this side of a possible crime. He didn’t like it.

He’d quickly thanked the chief for everything he and his crew had done to put out the fire and then went to his car. Before driving away, he surveyed the building and thanked God, once again, that it wasn’t worse. He started his car and headed for River’s house. He was so grateful she’d told him to come there instead of a hotel. He felt the need to talk to someone, and there was no one he wanted to talk to more than River. He needed her.

RIVER SAT IN THE LIVING ROOM, waiting for Tony’s SUV to pull into the driveway. It felt as if she’d been waiting for hours. Finally, she heard him and ran to the door. She was halfway to his car before she realized how cold it was. She’d left her coat inside, but she didn’t care. She was just so grateful he was alive.

“Oh, Tony,” River said, as he got out of his car. “I’m so glad you’re okay. If anything had happened to you . . .” She wrapped her arms around him, sobbing into his chest.

He stroked her hair softly. “It’s okay. God took care of us, River. I may smell like smoke for a while though.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s okay. I think we can deal with that.”

He put his hand under her chin. “Good. I’m so grateful that Watson is unharmed. Usually, he would have gone into the bedroom before me, but tonight for some reason he didn’t. Had to be God watching out for him.”

“I believe that. But before you both get frostbite, let’s get you inside.”

“Sounds good,” Tony said. “To be honest, I’m exhausted.” He grabbed his bags from the back of the SUV while River went around to the other side and fetched Watson. Tony followed her to the front door, which she held open.

Once they were inside, River set Watson’s crate down and turned to look at Tony. What she saw startled her.

“Oh, Tony, your eyes are so red.”

He nodded and then started coughing. “It’s from the fire,” he choked out.

“Hey, I’ll get you something to drink. Let’s get you some water first. After that, I’ll make you a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up.”

“I’d love that.”

“We’re going to put you on the couch tonight,” River said. “Like I told you, it folds out into a bed, so I think you’ll be comfortable. If you want more privacy, there’s a nice twin bed in the basement that belonged to Dan. There’s also an extra room down there. We have some boxes stored in it, but they can be moved out and put into another part of the basement. At some point I think you’d be very comfortable there, and it would give you some privacy.”

“Right now, all I want is something to drink and someone to talk to.” He smiled when Watson made a soft sound that sounded exactly like “woof.” “And Watson needs to get out of that crate and see his friend. He’s had a tough night.”

River knelt down and opened the crate. Watson came out with his tail wagging and put his front paws on River’s leg. She leaned down so he could reach her cheek.

“Doggy kisses?” Tony said with a smile. “He’s going to be fine.”

“Does he need to be fed?”

“No. I fed him earlier. I was able to grab his food and supplements before I left, but I forgot his dishes. We might need to borrow something in the morning.”

“I think we can find a couple of bowls that will work.” She rubbed the little dog’s head. She couldn’t imagine anything happening to him. “I’m so glad . . .” A sob was caught in her throat, and she struggled to control her emotions. She didn’t want Tony worrying about her, which was what he’d do if she didn’t quit crying. Finally, she was able to say, “I know I keep saying this, but I’m just so glad you’re both okay.” She stood. “Why don’t you put your stuff next to the couch and sit down. I’ll get some bowls out for Watson and make sure he has water. I’ll also get you a glass of water, and then I’ll get that cup of hot chocolate.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Tony said. “My mother used to make us hot chocolate when we were upset. It sounds perfect right now.”

River smiled at him. “I loved it when your mom made it for me while we were in Burlington. I’m not sure mine is as good as hers though.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.” He frowned. “Have your mother and Mrs. Weyland gone to bed? I don’t want to wake them up.”

“Yes, it’s late. They go to bed pretty early.”

“Good. I’ll try to be quiet so I don’t disturb them.”

River could hear the weariness in his voice. She quickly grabbed the tote bag with a picture of a dog on it. This was what Tony always used for Watson’s things. She smiled as the little dog followed her into the kitchen. She found a couple of bowls, filled one with water, and then looked through the bag. Sure enough, his treats were in there. She opened the bag and said, “Don’t tell on me, okay? I think you deserve a treat.” She grabbed two small treats and dropped them into the other bowl. Watson’s tail always pointed up when he was happy, and when it suddenly shot up, River laughed.

“I know what you’re doing in there,” Tony said from the living room. “Don’t spoil him.”

“Oh, hush. My house, my rules.”

“Well, I see we’re going to have to talk about how to be a responsible parent.”

“Don’t listen to that bad man,” she told Watson. “He doesn’t understand.” She quickly poured a glass of water and took it to Tony, who accepted it gratefully.