“Every time I thought about calling you, I found myself right back in the dirt with Woods on top of me. Every email put me back in the hospital or the police station. I was scared, and I was angry, and that had nothing to do with you.” Her nose made a slight honk when she blew. “Gross—sorry.”

Mary put her hand on Caitlin’s arm. “I love you, Caitie.”

Caitlin leaned in for a hug. “Love you, too. Sorry it took so long. One thing though—” She broke the embrace. “For now, you don’t have to bring it up. There’s something safer about talking to a trained professional.”

“I’m a good listener.”

“I know, but do you remember what you said when you got in the car, about the onion bagels?”

She squinted. “About them keeping horny students away?”

Caitlin nodded.

“That was a joke.”

“I know, but my first reaction when you said it was that an onion bagel wouldn’t stop some monster from—”

“I’m sorry.” Mary looked like she might cry again. “I won’t make jokes anymore.”

“Yes, you will. And that’s okay. That’s the difference between a therapist and a friend. I need you to be my friend. Okay?”

Mary smiled. “Okay.”

Caitlin looked to the clock. 12:07 PM.

“Who was your maid of honor?”

Mary laughed. “My cousin Ginger.”

“Wait, Bible-college Ginger?”

“See? My maid of honor was a sober virgin who thought sex involved an hour of prayer instead of foreplay.”

*   *   *

Half an hour later, Nathan Fodor got in his SUV. Mary followed in her sedan while Caitlin drove to a gas station and used the bathroom.

East toward the farm.

No surprise in Mary’s text. Back in her car, Caitlin played catch-up. One mile from the farm, her phone buzzed again.

He didn’t stop.

Caitlin saw Frodo’s SUV parked in the farm’s driveway. What did Mary mean?

Her phone rang. She set it to speaker.

“Mary?”

“He just drove by the soccer fields in one of the delivery trucks, headed east. Caitlin, I gotta get to work.”

“Don’t worry about it. Get going.”

She saw the entrance to the soccer fields and Mary’s car parked near the gate. “I see you.”

“I see you too,” Mary said.

Caitlin drove past, watching her rearview mirror. Mary pulled into traffic, headed the other direction.

“How far will you follow him?”

Caitlin gunned the accelerator. “I’ve got to catch him first.”

Chapter 43

CHAPTER

43

The Bahamas

UNLIKE THE WAVY Lady, a party boat designed to have its nightly sins hosed off, the Queen of the Waves was a regal sailing yacht nicer than most people’s homes. Mike had been shown aboard by a well-dressed Bahamian mate named John. After ten minutes in his cabin, he found his way topside.

Two billowing sails caught the wind. On the top deck, Adam Fodor and Bahamian John faced the open sea.