“I still have four weeks. I have a lot of friends and family in the area. Javi is my cousin. A good man, truly. We have the same grandfather, he was born here but went back to Mexico for family. He’s a brilliant mechanic, JJ would hire him if he wanted to come back—but he’s a quiet soul. A very religious man who doesn’t want anything more than to work with his hands and help his neighbors. I don’t know what Ricky said to him to convince him not to bring him back, but Ricky’s safe with him.”

“That’s good to know. And Ricky probably had some healing of his own to do.” Though three years … had Ricky not left, would they have been able to stop this conspiracy, whatever it was? Or would he have been killed like his family?

The important thing now was not only bringing Ricky home but also keeping him safe.

As Lucy was driving back to San Antonio, her brother Dillon called. She smiled as she answered, his soothing voice coming through the car speakers.

“I was going to text you, but I wanted to hear your voice,” Dillon said. “And I’m stuck in traffic.”

“Where?”

“Coming home from Haynesville. Drove down early this morning to assess an inmate.” Dillon was a forensic psychiatrist who consulted for a variety of legal entities. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No, I’m also driving, heading back to town. I hope you’re not calling to tell me you and Kate are canceling Thanksgiving. You’re the only ones who’ve confirmed. Jack and Megan are staying in Sacramento with Megan’s brother, and Carina’s in her last trimester, I knew traveling would be difficult for her. Connor bowed out for no real reason, though I think he would rather stay home close to Carina, and Patrick doesn’t think he can come because of something going on with Elle.”

“I’ll talk to him.”

“And then Sean’s family is just as bad. Kane will probably be here with Siobhan, but getting him to confirm anything is impossible. He’ll just show up. Duke and Nora are thinking about coming but won’t commit.”

“Most people are not as organized as you are, Lucy.”

“I just want to know, one way or the other.”

“Next year, our house. You, Sean, and Jesse will stay with us. Your room is still your room, and we have the guest room for Jesse.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Not to change the subject, but I heard Maxine was in San Antonio.”

“Word travels fast.”

“Ryan and Kate bonded over bad guys,” Dillon said. “They’ve been working on a new database to better track stolen art. Ryan mentioned Max hired Sean.”