They brought Theo out first on a stretcher. His arms were still dangling above his head, and his mouth was open in what looked like a scream, but he was alive. The next gurney rolled out with a big bag of Ben-sized remains. They left it in front of an ambulance with open doors, but disappeared without loading it. Dead was dead, after all. It wasn’t like Ben was on a schedule anymore.

My phone buzzed again. It was Juliet. I answered this time.

“Deirdre, what is going on?” she demanded. “I was told Teddy was missing, but now he’s safe? And Ben Northcutt tried to kill you? And Ursula tried to throw herself in the East River?” Her voice was brittle and agitated. Every sentence came out like a question, as if she had doubts about reality.

“Yeah, it’s been a day,” I said, too emotionally exhausted to react. “Is Ursula okay?”

“Who cares? They’re putting her in a mental hospital.” Juliet gulped audibly. “What about my brother? Gloria said he’s been shot and might be dead?”

“Theo’s in bad shape. He was shot and tortured and . . . it’s bad.”

“Is he going to live?” Juliet’s voice was very small.

“I don’t know,” I said. “Your father’s men showed up ready to attack, but when they realized we’d rescued Teddy, they took him and fled. They left Theo behind. On your father’s orders, Harris said.”

There was a choked sound on the other end. I wondered if she was crying.

“Juliet, Theo’s going to need your help if he’s going to survive this,” I said. “Can you do that?”

“I don’t know.”

“From what Theo told me, your father has been gaslighting you your entire lives,” I said. “Have you ever thought about what would happen if you stood together against him?”

CHAPTER 51 THEO

CHAPTER 51

THEO

They moved me from one hospital to another; I might not have noticed except for the color of the walls. “You’re certain Teddy is safe?” I demanded each time I woke. “Also, no opiates. I’m an addict.”

“Your son? Yes, he’s fine. He’s with your family.”

That set off alarm sirens in my head. “Not my father!”

“Your sister, I think? Dark hair, tattoos . . .”

“My sister-in-law,” I said, relaxing. “That’s good.”

I drifted off again. The next thing I knew, a small voice was calling, “Daddy?” Instead of jumping, Teddy bobbled up to the hospital bed like a curious little duckling. “Does it hurt?”

“No,” I lied.

“Really?”

“Maybe a bit,” I amended. “But now that you’re here, everything is better.”

“Kiss,” Teddy said, lifting his arms in an unspoken demand to be picked up. Juliet appeared and lifted him, allowing him to kiss my cheek. He considered my arm, a mix of old scars and new damage. “Looks bad,” he said finally, kissing it too.