“He told me he was recanting and wanted me to disappear for a few days. I told him it was ridiculous, that he was innocent and now people would listen to him, but I’m not so naïve to think that everyone would just believe him. He was worried about me, the press, my job, everything—I told him he had no reason to be worried, I can take care of myself. He wouldn’t tell me why, and I know— Well, he was holding something back. He was scared, and Stan doesn’t get scared, not really. He’s always been so easygoing, so friendly, but now … he’s changed. I don’t know if it’s because of being in jail or Victoria being killed or what. I’ll admit, I’m concerned. I planned to move the boys to Lake Charles during the trial so they wouldn’t hear awful things about their uncle, who they love so much. But Stan didn’t tell me why he was worried.”

“Did you tell him you would leave town?”

“I said I would if the pressure became too much. He didn’t like that answer.”

She was thinking about something else, her brows furrowed, but didn’t say anything.

Sean said, “Marie, I know where you’re coming from. The police are hit-or-miss. I’m not always a fan, but I have friends who are cops, good men and women you can trust. My wife is an FBI agent. I can reach out to someone who will at least listen to you.”

“I don’t know,” she said. “They don’t care about my family.”

“You and the boys are innocent bystanders in whatever is going on with your brother. To be honest, I think the police got Victoria’s murder flat out wrong. I don’t have access to the evidence, but Max and I have started investigating on our own. I think you need to go to the police and tell them that someone left this picture on your doorstep at eleven thirty last night.”

“How do you know it was eleven thirty?” Marie asked.

Sean internally winced. He gave a half-truth. “Max was waiting for you to come home. She saw a vehicle pull into your driveway. Someone went up to your porch, then left. She found the picture after that.”

“I need to call my mother-in-law.”

She pulled out her cell phone, paced as she waited for someone to answer. “Mom? It’s Marie. Is everything okay?”