Page 95 of The Woman I’ve Become

I scooch onto the edge of the bed and lean against her white wicker headboard. “Once upon a time, there was a princess.”

“With red hair,” she chimes in.

I nod. “With red hair. A very handsome prince arrived to sweep her off her feet. They married and moved to a castle in a wondrous kingdom called Manhattan. Just when they thought they could not be happier, a beautiful little new princess was born. The whole kingdom fell in love with her, and she was named Olivia.”

She’s already asleep.

I slip my arm from under her and get up. I check in the hall. Everyone is still downstairs. Good. I take a moment to have a look at my phone for deleted text messages, and sure enough, there is one to Phillip. The one I did not send.

It was Alicia. Had to be. It’s very clear to me that Helen is not in any way involved in this. Or perhaps it was Julia. If she can manipulate her minions into believing we all need to die for this to end well, then she only has to see that they don’t survive the big finale either. Maybe Rick is part of that plan.

Damn it. I should have added a passcode back to my phone weeks ago, but it was a total nuisance while I was recovering from the worst of my injuries.

Furious with myself, I turn off Olivia’s light, leaving only the night-light on, and close the door behind me.

I suspect whatever Julia and Alicia have planned will be happening soon.

Frankly, it’s possible Rick Howard has been in on what Julia is doing from the beginning. Even if he wasn’t in any way involved with what happened twenty years ago other than investigating the case, he may have agreed to help her now. He may have known her real story all along. Or, for all I know, she may have called him in as soon as she was well enough after her escape. A promise to reward him well once she had her life back and, voilà, he’s on her team. His sudden appearance my first night here was no coincidence, I am certain.

I should talk to Phillip. Warn him there may be trouble and that we might not be able to trust Rick. I doubt he will believe me where Rick is concerned. But at least I can try.

Downstairs I find Helen in the kitchen watching out the side door.

“Seen anything?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “So far, no new arrivals.”

I put my hand on her arm. “Helen, I am so sorry you’ve been dragged into this. But I’m also very thankful you’re here.”

She pats my hand. “I’m glad to help.”

I glance back toward the entry hall. “Where is Phillip?”

“He’s in the study. Said he had some calls to make.”

I hug my arms around myself. “I suppose I should see how he’s holding up with all this.”

“He’ll be fine,” Helen insists. “It’s you I’m worried about. How are you holding up?”

I manage a smile. “I’ll survive.” Maybe. Hopefully. “Helen, can you watch the back of the property from the window in Olivia’s room? I really want her protected. It would mean a lot to me if you were the one to keep watch over her tonight.”

“You bet.” She gives my arm a squeeze. “Whatever you and Olivia need.”

I decide to take the risk. “Look.” I glance around just to be sure we’re still alone. “I’m not sure we can trust Aca—”

“I don’t,” she says, cutting me off. “I haven’t since I laid eyes on her. When you get to be my age, you have a feeling about these things. Don’t trust that Wendy person either.”

Relief makes my knees weak. “Just watch my little girl.”

“You got it.” She leaves to take her post in Olivia’s room.

I let go of some of the tension. Now to follow up with Phillip—just the two of us.

As Helen said, he’s in the study. The study is really the library. Julia used to say that the only thing her mother loved more than her work as a psychiatrist were her books. The room was floor-to-ceiling shelves lined with books. Phillip renovated the space, turning it into a more appropriate study for a man of his distinguished standing.

The games people play.

“Hey,” I say as I enter the room and close the door behind me.