Dylan had spent time in that room at the lodge going through things with the sheriff and Mickey after the others had gone. The outcome had been they were all in agreement that these things had been happening to his family to lure him back to Ryker and keep him there, but why? Was the plan to kill him? Or torment him and his family some more? It was unsettling not knowing when or where he’d strike next.

“Did anyone approach you about me when you were at GGU?”

“No, why would they? No one knew I had a brother or sister.”

“You never told anyone?” Why did that hurt?

“No.” She shrugged. “It’s not like there was any chance of you coming to visit or anything. I gave up talking about you and Charlie years ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know, but you wanted the truth so I’m giving it to you.”

“Sure, and thanks.”

Shooting her a look, he thought she seemed better. More relaxed somehow. Her face had a bit more color, and she didn’t seem as fragile.

“Did you get plenty of rest in the hospital?”

“Yes, and food, so stop being a hen.”

“Me, a hen? The Howards don’t worry about each other, remember?”

He felt her eyes on the side of his face.

“But maybe we could stay in touch some?”

“I think we could do that” was all Dylan said, when inside his chest felt warm and he was swallowing back emotion.

He was going soft, no other word for it. He’d come home for all the wrong reasons, but it had made him see what he’d lost. What he’d been missing for years... a relationship with his sisters.

They drove up the drive. He got her things and followed Ava inside.

“Here she is.” Dylan’s father was in the kitchen, sitting at the table with Charlie. His mother was making coffee. Allan Howard got out of his chair gingerly and hugged his daughter. “How you feeling, love?”

“Better, Dad, thanks. I’m sorry about the drugs, and I’m going to talk to someone about them.”

“That’s all we can ask for, then, and if you need help, your mother and I are here.”

“Dylan and me also,” Charlie added.

Their mother’s face was tight, lips pursed as she turned to face her family.

“It’s a disgrace, Ava.”

“That will do, Mary.”

Shock had his mother’s mouth falling open. Her husband never argued with her. He usually took the peaceful road, which was not always the right thing to do, but it had been his way.

“Ava has made mistakes, as have we all, but maybe now it’s time that we tried to fix some of them and become a family.”

“We are a family!”

“No, Mary, we are not. Our children all left home as soon as they could. Why do you think that was?”