Page 82 of Trust No One

“Raine will protect her.” She drew in a ragged breath.

“I thought you two weren’t on good terms.”

“I was foolish. Selfish. But Raine will step up. Molly is a Hale. We protect our blood and keep our secrets locked behind closed doors.”

“What are your secrets?”

A smile teased her lips as her eyes drifted closed. “No secrets. I can’t afford them. When do I get out of here?”

“Dr. Webber needs more time. She wants to run more tests.”

“I want out.”

“I’ll talk to Dr. Webber.” I said it to humor Maria. She barely had the horsepower to talk, let alone walk. “Are you having an affair?”

A wan grin. “Who said that?”

“Gabe.”

“When would I find the time?” Eyes closed. “He’s transferred his sins on me.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Raine

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

When I finally pushed through the front door of Hale House, I knew something was different.

My sneakers were still where I’d toed them off earlier. The bag I’d dropped when I first moved back waited in the same entryway spot. Everything was as I left it.

But the air felt wrong.

I’d just spent the afternoon standing beside Gabe in court, watching the judge set the bail at $2 million. The color had drained from his face. I’d promised him I’d handle it.

Now inside Hale House, I dug my phone from my purse, shut the front door, and hesitated about locking it. If I needed to get out . . . the lock would slow me down. I twisted the dead bolt.

The hallway was silent except for the old oil heater rumbling below. In the kitchen, I set my purse on the island but kept my phone in hand.

That’s when I saw it.

A fruit basket, perfectly wrapped in cellophane and tied with a hunter-green bow, sat by the sink. I hadn’t left it there.

My grip tightened around my phone as I approached. Inside the basket were apples, oranges, and grapes. I hesitated before I checked the card.

Happy Birthday! One more year of freedom.

A chill slid down my back.

I scanned the kitchen corners for movement, for shadows that didn’t belong. Nothing. Whoever had left the basket was gone.

How had they gotten inside?

I looked up the florist’s number and called. After a chain of menu prompts, a woman finally answered. “Morrison’s Florist.”

“This is Raine Hale. I just received a delivery.”

“Yes, ma’am.”