“It was stupid and amateurish. I had to clean up your mess by killing that guard. It’s only gotten worse. This thing is out of control.”

They’d decided to meet at a nearby coffee shop. Jeffrey looked around. The people who had glanced their way a few seconds ago appeared to have gone back to their own business. He hoped none of them were listening.

“She’s my daughter,” Jeffrey said, keeping his voice low. “I can’t . . . I just can’t let you kill her.”

“You mean the way you killed her mother?”

“I didn’t do that. You did.”

He laughed quietly. It was ugly and full of venom. This was a truly evil man. Why had Jeffrey ever gotten involved with him? It was the stupidest thing he’d ever done.

“You wanted the money more than you wanted your wife. I gave you the perfect way out. You had an ironclad alibi because of me.”

Jeffrey sighed. “It was wrong. I was wrong, and I’m sorry about it.”

“Look here you little worm, I don’t care about your regrets. You got the money. After the cops stopped sniffing around, you paid me. Since then, you’ve been raiding your daughter’s—correction—your stepdaughter’s trust fund like a bandit. You’ve padded your pockets and now you can’t allow anyone to find out. If they do, you’ll go to prison. You may know my secret, but I know yours too. We have a partnership. You try to break it, and you’ll regret it, I promise you.”

“What happened to the nurse?” Jeffrey couldn’t help but ask, but he was afraid to hear the answer.

“You don’t need to worry about her. She’s not a problem anymore.”

“You . . . you didn’t kill her, surely. Dr. Marnet wouldn’t put up with that.”

“Dr. Marnet will do whatever you tell him to. He doesn’t dare let anyone know what he’s been doing. Just keep paying him. He’ll keep his mouth shut.”

“That money isn’t going to last forever,” Jeffrey said. “What happens when it runs out?”

He laughed in a low voice. “You better make certain that doesn’t happen. If it does, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble, Jeff. You’re used to living well. Trust me, you definitely wouldn’t like prison.”

He took a sip of his coffee, but Jeffrey felt too sick to his stomach to eat or drink anything. He wanted to tell this terrible man that the same fate awaited him, but he was too afraid to do that. How had he gotten himself into this predicament? He’d lost control of his life, and he didn’t know how to get it back. He’d sent another warning to those PIs last night. He prayed the man sitting across from him would never find out. He was afraid for his life if that would happen. This man would kill anyone who stood in his way. If he decided to kill April. . . . Well, he couldn’t think about that right now. He had to just take it day by day. But one thing he knew for certain. April couldn’t escape again. No matter what.

TONY LEFT AFTER BREAKFAST to run to a local department store to buy clothes. River spent the morning mentally reviewing the case. The note that was found in Terre Haute was intriguing, but right now, there wasn’t anything to prove it really came from April. The police were investigating and had told Arnie they’d stay in touch. She and Tony both felt the answer to April’s disappearance had something to do with one of her cases, but so far, River just couldn’t see it. When she heard the front door close, she glanced at the clock on her desk. It was almost noon. Where had the morning gone? Her father would be here in a few hours. Her stomach clenched. She thought she was prepared, but it seemed her body wasn’t in agreement with her mind. She got up from her chair and headed to the kitchen. Tony was standing in the doorway talking to Mrs. Weyland, who was getting something out of the refrigerator. River’s mother sat at the table eating a sandwich, and Watson was sitting on the floor next to her, obviously hoping Rose would drop something he could snatch up.

“There you are,” Mrs. Weyland said when she saw River. “Want some lunch?”

“Maybe a little something.” She looked at Tony. “How about you?” she asked. “Are you hungry?”

“No, thanks. Not now.” He turned abruptly and left the room, grabbing some bags on the floor next to him. Watson looked a little confused but ran after him. River was surprised. Was he upset about something? She started to follow him, but before she could, Mrs. Weyland stopped her.

“Honey, before you try talkin’ to him, let me say something.” Mrs. Weyland sat down at the table and motioned to River to do the same. River slipped into the chair next to her.

“Tony has lost his home and a lot of his possessions,” Mrs. Weyland said. “Right now, he’s probably a little angry about the whole thing. He likes feeling independent. Now he doesn’t know what he’s gonna do. He’s feelin’ a little lost. I realize we’re all supposed to be enlightened and everything, but a lot of men like to feel they’re in control. Feelin’ like they have to rely on someone else is hard for them, even if they know we care about them.”

“Surely it’s not because I’m a woman,” River said.

“Well, God set things up in a way that may not make some people comfortable nowadays, but God’s pretty okay with it. Men are supposed to see women as the weaker vessel. He wasn’t callin’ us weak, mind you. Most women I know are beyond strong. I think He meant that men are supposed to love and protect their wives. You two aren’t married, but I think Tony has a real desire to take care of you. Protect you. He got shot tryin’ to do just that. But now, he needs help himself.” She smiled at River. “Give him a little space. Tony’s a good man. A smart man. He’ll figure it out.”

“She’s right, sweetheart,” Rose said. “Tony just needs a little time.”

River realized Mrs. Weyland and her mother were right. Tony had spent months trying to protect her from the Strangler’s apprentice. Feeling as if their roles were suddenly reversed was an adjustment. But she knew him well enough to be certain Mrs. Weyland was right about something else too. He would definitely figure it out. He was smart, and he knew how to hear from God. She smiled at her mother, grateful she seemed okay today after last night’s incident.

“Thanks,” she said. “You’re both right. But we need to give him a place to live until his apartment is renovated. I hope he won’t try to leave. I want him to feel comfortable here—with us.”

“He does.”

River jumped at the sound of Tony’s voice and turned to find him standing behind her.

“I’m sorry,” he said sheepishly. “I’m upset about the fire, especially since it seems someone started it on purpose. At first, all I thought about was how grateful I was that Watson and I survived. But today at the store, I began to realize just how many things I was going to have to replace. All the things I lost. Then I started to worry about where I was going to live. Should I move somewhere else, or should I wait until my apartment is restored and go back? It upset me. I’m sorry I was rude to you, River. I hope you’ll forgive me. I truly appreciate everything you’re doing to help me.”

“Of course, Tony. And I understand. It’s okay to get upset. You’ve been through a lot.” She walked over and took his hand. “I think sometimes, as Christians, we think it’s wrong to have a human reaction. It isn’t. God understands. You’ve told me that many times. So you can be mad. To be honest, I’m mad too. I hope they find the guy who did this and send him to jail for a long, long time.”

“Yeah, me too.” Tony squeezed her hand. “I would love some lunch. After that, I think I need to get out of your way.” He gazed at Mrs. Weyland and Rose. “I don’t want to be in the way during your special dinner tonight. Maybe I can hide out in the basement or somewhere else while you have company. I hear there’s a bed downstairs?”

“We’d really like you to join us for dinner,” Rose said. “It would mean a lot to all of us to have you there. And you can continue sleeping in the living room, you know. The basement might be a little cold right now. I think the vents are closed. It might take it a while to warm up.”

“I just don’t want to intrude on your family dinner, Rose,” Tony said.

“But you are family to us,” River said. “I already told you that. Besides, you made me a promise, remember?” She wanted him there—no, needed him with her. Tony kept her grounded, and tonight was going to be hard. She was certain he knew that, but he wasn’t certain if Rose and Mrs. Weyland felt the same way she did. Obviously, that concern had just been laid to rest.

He looked down at her. “Okay. I’d be happy to be there. If I can help . . .”

“Don’t be silly,” Mrs. Weyland said, rising to her feet. “I’ve got everything well in hand.” She frowned at him. “You look a little peaked. I imagine the EMTs last night told you to rest today, right? I have a niece who was in a fire and inhaled smoke. That’s what they told her to do.”

Tony looked a little sheepish. “Yeah, they did.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that?” River asked.

“I don’t know. I feel okay, and I assumed they tell everyone that.”

River shook her head. “Why don’t you lie down in my room? There’s a blanket at the foot of the bed. Pull it up over you.”

Tony nodded. “Thanks. I am a little tired. I’d like to talk to you first though, River.”

“Sure. Why don’t you go sit down in the living room, and I’ll bring you a plate. I’ll make both of us a sandwich, okay?”

Tony nodded, but instead of walking away he said, “Thank you. All of you. And Rose, thank you for welcoming me into your home.”

“Oh, Tony. We’re all glad you’re here,” Rose said, smiling. “My daughter is right. You really are a part of the family. I’m very glad you’re in our lives.”

Tony nodded and left the room. River could see that he was moved. She went over to her mother, leaned down, and then kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you, Mom,” she said. “That was so nice of you.”

Rose patted River’s hand. “I meant it, sweetheart. I’m so happy you moved here. I know it might not have been what you wanted to do, but I’ll always be grateful.”

River glanced over at Mrs. Weyland, who smiled at her. She was certain they were both relieved that Rose seemed okay today. If only she was this way tonight. But sadly, neither one of them could count on that.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-EIGHT