Page 120 of Trust No One

What would it have been like if Mom hadn’t died? Or if she’d died in her bed? How different would our lives have been?

“When are you and Molly leaving the hospital?” he asked.

“She’s spending the night now.” The physical space between us was a sliver. But the emotional divide was immense. “I’m staying with her.”

“I’ll drive you two back to Hale House.”

“I’ll need a car seat.”

“I’ll find one at the station.”

“Thanks, Judson.”

“Nothing to thank me for.”

Chapter Forty-Six

Pete Miller

Thursday, October 22, 2026, 12:15 a.m.

Pete Miller Ubered to the cheap motel on Route 1 in Alexandria. It was a shithole but better than prison. He used the key and entered the dingy room on the first floor.

An envelope and keys were waiting for him on the dresser. He walked to the window and pressed the unlock button. The lights of a black four-door flashed. It was at least ten years old—the kind of car no one noticed.

Back at the dresser, he opened the envelope. Cash and a note.

She’s at Hale House.

“I’m on it.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, breaking up the tension. She. Raine. He didn’t know exactly where Hale House was, but he’d find it. First, he’d take a hot shower, eat, and find a woman.

His fingers flexed. Too much to hope he’d find a woman who looked like Raine. But in dimmer light, he could pretend. And still see the panic in her eyes when he wrapped his fingers around her throat.

I used to believe . . .

Secrets fade if you bury them deep.

But here’s the truth.

Nothing stays hidden forever.

Not if you know where to dig.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Raine

Thursday, October 22, 2026, 7:00 a.m.

Molly woke several times during the night. She lurched up. Cried out.

I rubbed her head, whispered what encouragement I could, but nothing settled her. Finally, the nurse slipped into the room at two a.m. and gave the child a mild sedative. Slowly, she fell asleep, arms wrapped around the dragon.

Molly needed her own things. Anything that would remind her of Mommy and Daddy. No words were a substitute. Adrift, she needed an anchor.

Assured she was asleep, I left the room. At the nurses’ station, they told me Molly would sleep hard for hours. I ordered an Uber and returned to Hale House.