I picked up my coat and slipped an arm in one sleeve, then another. “You’ve probably figured out that I opened the safe and have everything in it.”

“How did you get Jonah to make the call about that?”

I ignored the question. “I’m keeping the gun, but I brought your passport. I want you to use it.” I wanted her as far from her daughters as possible.

“Aren’t you kind?”

“You’ll also find your flash drive. Only, just so you know, it’s been erased. You’ll never be able to blackmail those men.”

“Ryan...” She shook her head. “Silly girl. You think that’s the only copy of those photos that I had?”

I had hoped, but not with much optimism. “You’re playing such a dangerous game.”

“Yeah, I know. But it’s not as bad as you think.”

Wendy was living on the razor’s edge and probably had been for a long time, maybe even before I was born. She was poised to balance there forever and liked the view. Until she slipped and fell.

“The stuff’s in my car,” I said, getting to my feet. “Say goodbye to your new best friend.”

“I’m leaving Utah. If you’ve been lying to me, it doesn’t matter. Nobody’s going to find me. And I won’t fall for your postal trick again.”

“I’ll wait outside.”

When she joined me down the block from Pizza Pleasures, a light snow was beginning to fall, and the sky was dark with heavy clouds above us. I was sorry that this gorgeous countryside would forever be associated in my mind with this night.

I held out a canvas bag, then I pulled it back. “I have the divorce papers for you to sign first. I can witness them. Do it, and I’ll give you the stuff I brought.”

“You’re so organized. You got that from me, you know. We’re more alike than you think.”

“No.” I’d attached the papers to a clipboard. I had a pen. She signed everywhere I indicated. I put the clipboard back in the car and locked the side door before I handed her the bag.

“There’s some artwork of Holly’s and Noelle’s inside,” I said as she pawed through it. “Since it’s the last you’ll see, I thought you might like to have it. I brought some of your jewelry, although I kept the most valuable pieces for your daughters.”

Her tone was acid. “Aren’t you sweet?”

“Some personal items, scarves, the beaded purse Mom bought for you at Christmas, some medications you left on the counter to tide you over, and refills until you can get new prescriptions. I want you to stay well so you can get the hell out of our lives.” I didn’t mention the medicine cabinet. She would deny drugging the girls, and I didn’t want to hear more lies. “That’s about it.” I took out her car keys and handed them over. “You leave first.”

Wendy took the keys and clutched the bag to her chest. “Believe it or not, I’m sorry everything turned out the way it did. I may not have wanted you, but I did try to be a good big sister.”