Page 101 of The Woman I’ve Become

There is no one left.

Unless I count Rick.

Somehow I suspect the fact that Phillip is my husband keeps me in Rick’s good graces. After all, who doesn’t want to stay close to the next mayor of New York City? A mega-rich one, at that. The man could end up president one day.

The truth is, I can’t really be certain if Rick is telling me what he believes, what his bureau colleagues have told him, or what he knows because he was or is part of the cleanup detail who protected the keepers. I actually don’t know what Rick is.

Men like Casey Duval and his clients don’t get away with their evil deeds for so long without someone on the inside.

Not really my issue just now.

But if I were Rick Howard . . . I would watch my back.

45

Norwalk, Connecticut

It’s just after midnight by the time Phillip is out of surgery and in a room. Helen was kind enough to drive Olivia to the city to stay with Catherine until we’re home again.

I lean back in the incredibly uncomfortable chair next to Phillip’s bed and close my eyes. I am beyond exhausted. And I still have his blood all over my shirt. I’ve washed my hands. I stare down at my left arm. The wound where the bullet grazed my upper arm has been treated. It was nothing, didn’t even require stitches.

The house is a wreck, but it can’t be cleaned up until it’s released from the investigation. For now it’s a crime scene—one where three people died.

The blasts of gunfire echo in my head even now, and my body twitches. The best we have surmised, Alicia let her boyfriend in through the back with the intention of killing everyone per Julia’s order. But he either discovered something before he came, or Julia said something that he passed along to Alicia, and everything went to hell. I suppose we’ll never know what set that particular finale in motion.

I have no idea what any of the players were thinking. But in the end, the one other person from the past who could hurt me or my child is gone.

Phillip groans, and I stand to check that he’s all right. The bullet made a path through his small intestine, which had to be repaired. He is out of the woods now, and a full recovery is expected.

One of the nurses told me the main lobby is full of reporters. The local police are keeping them at bay.

Thank God.

Catherine lives in a very exclusive building on Park Avenue. No reporters are going to get to her or to Olivia.

A soft knock on the door precedes Rick’s entrance. I work up a smile, though I detest the idea of seeing him again. I recognize the bag he carries. It’s one of the reusable bags that can be purchased at Balducci’s to avoid killing trees and creating more plastics. His words reverberate in my throbbing skull. No one ever has to know the rest.

“He seems to be resting well.” Rick looks from Phillip to me. “You, on the other hand, look exhausted.”

I laugh softly. “And bloody.”

He offers the bag to me. “I had one of the officers maintaining the perimeter at your house grab some clothes for you. Why don’t you go to my place and take a shower. Get some sleep. I’ll stay with Phillip tonight.”

There are two NYPD officers standing guard outside the room, so there’s no need, I tell myself, to be concerned. Still, I hesitate, not sure I want to start accepting favors from this man.

“I parked my car in the employee parking area. One of the officers outside the room will take you there to ensure you don’t encounter any reporters,” he adds when I don’t readily respond.

Exhausted and desperate to wash this nightmare away, I relent. “That sounds wonderful. Thanks.” I accept the bag. I look to Phillip once more, then walk toward the door.

“I’ll text you the security code.”

I glance back and smile.

Part of me can’t help wondering if this is an invitation I will regret accepting.

The drive to Rick’s house doesn’t take long. It’s a nice neighborhood with good-size lots and a lovely man-made lake. Though it’s dark, the exterior lights show off the elegant two-story home belonging to the retired agent. It’s much newer than my own.

I insert the key and unlock the door. As soon as I open it, the security system warns I have a set time to enter the code. I check my phone and tap the necessary numbers. The computerized warning quiets instantly.