Page 106 of Trust No One

“Go home, Raine.”

“Who would dump a body here?” My voice dropped. “Near Mom.”

“I don’t have any answers yet.”

“How long has it been here?”

Stern faced and frustrated, he glared. “Raine, stop asking questions. I don’t have any answers.”

I held his gaze. “You suspect something. I can see it in your expression.”

Frustration darkened his gaze. “Go home, Raine.”

I swallowed, forcing down bitter bile. “It feels like the last time.”

When he spoke again, the edges in his voice had softened. “I’ll come by Hale House when I can. Keep your phone close. Gabe might see reason and call.”

“I’m not sure he will this time,” I said. “Something’s broken inside him.”

He nodded once, grim. “Go home, Raine. I’ll see you soon.”

I used to believe . . .

Love can fix anyone.

But here’s the truth.

It can’t.

Chapter Forty-One

Raine

Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 3:30 p.m.

Ken’s black Mercedes was parked behind my SUV. My stomach knotted. What was he doing here?

I slowed my pace as I approached the porch. Ken leaned against the front door, casual and patient, as if prepared for a long wait.

I considered retreating, but he looked up before I could move. His gaze flicked to my muddy boots. “Are you okay?”

Too late to turn back. I walked toward him. “What’re you doing here?”

“I heard police were responding to a death on Hale land.”

How did he know already? Ken’s law enforcement connections ran deep, but this was extreme. I forced my voice to remain steady. “What else do you know?”

He crossed the porch, halting on the top step. “Not much. There’s only a little chatter.” His excellent attention to detail equipped him to fix, reshape, or hide problems.

I climbed the stairs and moved past him. “I don’t know who died.”

“Where’s Molly? I thought you were taking custody today.”

The concern weakened some of my resistance. Some chafed at his protective nature, which I’d once found comforting.

When I didn’t answer, he moved toward me. “Raine, what’s wrong?”

I hated needing Ken’s help. But he was very good at his job. And Molly needed help. “Gabe picked Molly up from school. He’s taken her.”