He pulled out a bottle and handed it to me, then grabbed one for himself and took a long swig. Then he said, "So your sister likes to be in charge, doesn't she?"

"Always been bossy," I replied. "But Dani gets stuff done."

"Was she shocked to see your mother?"

"More shaken than I've ever seen her. And after she heard my mom was attacked in the hospital, she got really scared."

"This break-in won't help."

"She wants me to go back to Carmel with her, leave all this to the police to figure out."

He took another drink, then set down the bottle. "Not the worst idea."

"But I can't just leave with so many questions unanswered."

"You'd be safer."

I frowned. "It sounds like you want me to leave."

"I don't have an opinion, just stating the facts. I can't imagine you'll want to stay here tonight."

"No, but on the other hand, whoever broke in might have found what they were looking for. Maybe it's over."

"So, you're an optimist."

"Not really. I usually think that when things get too good, they'll disappear just as fast. Sometimes, I'm right."

Dani's voice rang through the apartment. "Brynn?"

"We're in the kitchen," I called back.

Dani came into the room a moment later.

"Can I get you a drink?" Kade asked.

"No, thank you. You're drinking in the middle of the day, Brynn?" she asked me, a gleam of annoyance in her gaze.

"It felt like a beer moment. Kade also has water."

"I don't need anything to drink. Steve wants me to come home, and he wants me to bring you with me. Jeff is also anxious about you. Now that this has happened, I hope you've changed your mind about staying."

"I haven't. I'm sorry, Dani. I know that's not what you want to hear. But I need to watch over the investigation."

"What on earth can you do that the police can't?" she asked in frustration. "Except put yourself in danger?"

"I can make sure they keep looking for the truth by letting them know I'm watching, and I'm advocating for our mother."

"Who never did the same for you."

Dani's harsh words were delivered out of fear more than anything else, but they still stung.

"She took care of us for seven years," I said. "She was there when we were sick or hurt or scared."

"But where was she for the last twenty years? You're deluding yourself that she's going to wake up and want to be your mother again. It won't happen, Brynn. Even if she wakes up, she'll just be the woman who left us. Don't you get that?"

"I'm still staying." Dani wasn't the only stubborn one in the family. "It's my risk to take. I can take care of myself. I'll get a hotel room. I'll be fine."

The doorbell rang. "That must be Inspector Greenman," I said.