Dragging my brain out of the past, I returned the slashed cushions to the sofa, wincing again at the evidence of violence. I didn't want to think about someone wielding a big knife throughout this house, but that was what had happened.

The back door opened, and Kade came inside, looking more composed than he had when he'd left.

"I found a locksmith," he said. "He can come at two thirty."

"Great. Thanks."

"You've made progress."

"A little. But I have no idea if something is missing. The things that are broken don't seem that valuable or important. The paintings were ripped from the walls, but they weren't damaged. It doesn’t feel like someone was after the art."

"No, it doesn't," he said.

I pressed a hand to my head, as the ache in my temple intensified.

"Are you okay?" Kade asked.

"I have a headache."

"Have you eaten lunch?"

"No. That might help."

"There's a good café about three blocks from here. We have a good two hours before the locksmith will arrive."

"Food sounds good. But should we just leave? The house is wide open."

"I doubt much more damage could be done, Brynn."

"That's true. They must have come in the second Dani and I left for the hospital." I stopped abruptly. "God, maybe they were watching us."

"But they didn't come in until you left. That means you and your sister are not targets."

"That's true. But it would have been better if they hadn't gotten in at all."

* * *

It was a nice walk to the Morning Glory café, which was on a cute street of shops and boutiques. There was a patio in front of the restaurant, and I was happy to be outside with the sun taking the chill out of my body.

"This feels much better than my mom's house," I said after ordering an iced tea and a Greek salad with salmon, while Kade opted for a French dip with a side of fries.

"It's going to take some time to put the house back the way it was, if that's even possible," Kade said.

"I know. What do you think they were looking for?"

"We could speculate forever and get nowhere."

"Let's just do it for a few minutes," I said. "Give me some ideas."

"Cash. Jewelry. Maybe something more personal," Kade said.

I nodded. "Like damaging photos of someone. Blackmail material. Or company secrets."

"She works at a school, not a company. I don't think there are any trade secrets there."

I could see the amusement in his gaze. "True, but when we're brainstorming, there are no bad ideas. You think outside the box when you're creating your art, so I know you can do that now."

"All right," he said. "Drugs. She could be dealing drugs to the kids at the school, and she was ripping someone off or double-dealing."

I frowned. "I don't like that suggestion."

"You said to think outside the box."