And Molly had been so goddamn calm when he had told her he was leaving. She had torn his focus into tatters and watched with perfect composure as he had left. She was the most dangerous woman he had ever met, and she didn’t yet know a fraction of what she was truly capable of.

He threw himself onto the bed and stared dry-eyed at the darkened ceiling until his alarm went off. Then he hauled his ass through his morning routine and went to work. By midmorning people were beginning to avoid him, and he realized he needed to dial back some of the savagery.

He didn’t give a damn about the job. It was just a means to an end, but he shouldn’t abuse the people who worked for him. Not only did they not deserve that kind of treatment, but it wouldn’t get him reelected. So he reined it in.

Maria and Henry texted when they were about to drop off the Subaru, so he texted Molly. Your new car is about to be delivered at the end of the lane.

She responded almost instantly. Amazing. Thank you!

They’ll tuck the keys in the visor. Don’t approach until they’re gone. That way you can’t ID them.

I won’t get close.

He paused. He should put down his fucking phone and get back to fucking work. Instead, his fingers moved almost reluctantly over the keyboard. Everything good?

Everything’s fine, Josiah.

He gritted his teeth. His office was up to its eyeballs in cases that had turned red-hot. He could have Anson deliver the package of cash and documents. He didn’t technically need to see her again.

But a wave of rebellious anger rose up to quell that. Avoiding her would be taking the coward’s way out, and she deserved better than that.

Besides, he wasn’t going to pass up the chance to see her again. The fever running rampant in his blood wouldn’t allow it. As he sat at his desk, fighting an inward battle with himself, several emails came in at once.

One of them was the autopsy report for Sullivan. Another was the report on Rodriguez.

He clicked on the report for Sullivan and scanned it before sitting back in his chair. Then he texted Molly again. You didn’t kill Austin. Cause of death: smoke inhalation. The bruising on his body is attributed to the collapse of the ceiling over him.

Long moments passed with no reply. He imagined her reacting to the news in the solitude of the quiet country house. Just as he was about to call her, a text appeared. What about Nina?