“Helen was part of the medical team that was there when an orphanage was bombed. Kids were on the playground at the time, and as you can imagine, it was horrific. She operated on as many as she could, but couldn’t save the majority. It was something no one should ever have to see or experience.” The doctor shuddered. “She had PTSD and nightmares for months until she finally requested to be sent home to seek help. Helen’s sister, Lucy, moved in with Helen when she came home to make sure she wasn’t alone at night and got to all of her appointments. I spoke with Lucy and she agreed with me in my assessment that Helen was doing better. Her PTSD was under control and Lucy was getting ready to move back home. So when she walked in the door to see Helen standing in the window of her fourteenth-floor apartment, she was shocked. Lucy called out to her but said Helen didn’t even hesitate. She just jumped.”

“Oh my. How awful.”

Sarah knew just how ghastly the bombing had been. She’d covered that incident, had seen the dead bodies. Had held the weeping mothers. A small terrorist organization had taken credit for the attack, but a rumor had leaked that an American soldier had been the instigator. She’d cleared the soldier’s name and passed on intel to the higher-ups. The terrorist cell had been wiped out before it had a chance to expand any farther—or kill any more innocent people.

A pang hit her. She’d done good work over there. She’d been making a difference. Swift, hot rage consumed her, and she vowed once more not to let her father win.

“I don’t know what else Lucy can add to that,” Mel was saying, pulling Sarah back into the present, “but I believe she met Dustin several times, so I can’t help but think she might be able to answer some of your questions.”

“All right. I’ll talk to Lucy and see what she has to say. Thank you.”

Mel cleared her throat. “Normally, I wouldn’t say a word about my patients, but Lucy was on Helen’s HIPAA list and she specifically told me that if I ever came across anyone who might have answers for Helen’s death, to share whatever I needed to. You two have a lot in common because she’s desperate for answers and I know she’ll want to talk to you. I’ll call her and let her know you’re going to be in touch. Is that all right?”

“Yes, of course. Thank you again.” Sarah stood and walked to the door.

“Sarah?”

She turned.

“Come back if you need to.”