A phone was ringing somewhere, nothing more than a faint echo in the recesses of her consciousness.

Grace pried open her eyes and peered at the bedside clock. Nine ten.

Morning or night?

She squinted at the window, where light was peeking around the edges of the blinds. Must be morning.

But what day was it?

Thursday. It had to be Thursday.

She groped for the cell resting beside her Beretta on the nightstand and put it to her ear. “Hello.”

“Grace?” Nate’s warm, mellow baritone came over the line.

What a great wake-up call.

“Hi.”

“Were you asleep?”

“Um . . .” Clearing the fog from her brain was proving next to impossible.

“I’ll take that as a yes. I’m sorry. I can call back later.”

“No. That’s okay. I’m waking up.”

“How are you this morning?”

“Better.” The mist began to lift.

“Better better, or improving?”

“Improving.” She eased onto her back.

“Are you still throwing up?”

“No.” She put a hand to her forehead. “I think my fever broke too. But I feel like a train hit me.”

“I can relate. Is there anything I can bring you?”

“A pill that will cure me within the hour?”

“If it existed, I’d find it for you. Anything else?”

“No. I’m set. All I plan to do today is sleep.”

“The best medicine. Don’t forget fluids. Do you have anything like Gatorade in the house?”

The temptation to lie and say no was strong. Chatting with him for a few minutes if he swung by with provisions would be the bright spot of her day.

But in light of her disheveled state, she could scare him away forever if he showed up at her door.

Not worth the risk.

“No Gatorade, but I always have Diet Sprite on hand for Cate. Clear soda is about all my stomach can handle. Any news?”

“Lorraine’s attorney finally sent me her banking records. The pattern fits with the others, as we expected.”

“Now all we have to do is find the person behind the financial scam.”

“We’ll get there. Is your security system armed?”

Where had that come from?

“The door and window alarms, along with the exterior cameras, are on. The interior motion detectors are off. Why?”

“Until we find BK, I think it’s wise to take as many precautions as possible.”

Nate’s tone was conversational, but she knew him well enough at this stage to pick up a subtle thread of tension.

“Are you certain there’s not another reason for your concern? One you’re keeping to yourself?”

“No.” His reply was swift and definitive. “If there had been any new developments or threats, you’d have been the first to know. I just want to be certain we’re covering all the bases. I’ll let you get back to sleep, but if you’re up for a visitor by tomorrow, I may swing by after work.”

“As long as I’m not puking, you’re welcome. But don’t expect scintillating conversation.”

“I’ll settle for sitting next to you while you drink a Sprite.”