Page 112 of Trust No One

“She loves them.”

“They’re part of a crime scene.”

He was right. We’d found Gabe’s body at the cabin, but the crime scene would include all locations he’d visited today.

I left the room, hurried after the stretcher. “I’m her guardian,” I said, breathless.

The paramedic studied me. “I need proof.”

“I’m not leaving her.” I grabbed his arm, my fingers biting.

Hales kept Hales alive. Everything else was optional.

Chapter Forty-Three

Raine

Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

In the hospital waiting room, I clutched a stuffed purple dragon I’d bought from the gift shop. It was too soft, too cartoonish, its big eyes nothing like those of Molly’s well-loved animals. But I had no idea what five-year-old children—especially traumatized ones—liked. I’d thought Ken would follow the ambulance to the hospital, but he hadn’t shown up. But that was Ken.

“Raine.” Edith stood in the doorway, a small purse clutched tight in her hand. “Where’s Molly?”

“She’s resting,” I said.

“I want to see her,” she said.

“The doctors want her isolated a little longer.”

“Why?” Edith demanded.

“To make sure she’s stable.”

Her frown deepened. For as long as I could remember, there’d been the scowl, etched in her face. “Where’s Gabe?”

“He’s dead.”

Her chin lifted. “What?”

“He’s on his way to the medical examiner’s office in Roanoke.”

Edith’s grip on her small purse tightened. “What happened to him?”

“I don’t know. Ken and I found him in the cabin Maria and he used to rent.”

“Ken? What does he have to do with this?”

“I asked him to help me find Molly.” I stood. “You gave Gabe your car. He took Molly from school. And here we are.”

Edith shook her head. “I don’t believe this.”

For once, we agreed. “Believe it.”

“I’ll take Molly, of course,” she said.

Gripping the dinosaur, I closed the distance between us. Edith and I had butted heads from day one. For Molly’s sake, I forced a softer tone. “I’m sorry. You’ve lost so much.”

She raised her chin. “I have. And I’m not losing anyone else. Including Molly.”