“Anytime.” Harper smiled at her, then closed the door, leaving Gemma alone to get ready.

Gemma had just gotten out of the shower when she heard her father come home. She was still in the bathroom, brushing her hair, when the front door slammed shut. Then she heard Brian’s booming voice telling Harper that he was home.

Gemma knew he’d be mad at her. He was going to yell at her a lot, and while she was dreading that, it suddenly didn’t seem to matter. She’d missed her dad. She hadn’t realized precisely how much until she heard his voice.

“Dad!” Gemma yelled as soon as she opened the bathroom door, and then she raced down the stairs.

Brian was standing in the living room, still wearing his work clothes, which were stained with oil and smelled vaguely of fish. When he saw Gemma running down toward him, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

She threw her arms around him, and he hugged her gruffly. He held her tightly to him for a moment, then moved so he could get a good look at her. He touched her face, his callused hands feeling especially rough on her smooth skin, and his blue eyes were brimming with tears.

“I love you so much, Gemma,” he said. “You had me worried sick.”

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Gemma said, stifling her own tears. “I love you, too.”

“Where were you?” Brian asked.

“I don’t know.” Gemma lowered her eyes and stepped back from him, because she still didn’t completely understand how to answer that question.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Brian asked, and he started yelling. “What in god’s name did I do that was so terrible that you needed to run off for over a week without telling me? I’ve been searching all over for you! The police have been looking for you! Do you have any idea what you’ve put me and your sister and even Alex through?”

“I’m sorry.” Gemma stared at the floor, unable to look him in the face anymore.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it, Gemma!” Brian shouted. “There’s no excuse for what you did! You can’t just leave without telling anybody. That’s not okay, and you know it.”

“I do know, Dad, and I’m really sorry,” she repeated.

“And with everything that’s going on, with the serial killer on the loose,” Brian went on. “That was so dangerous and irresponsible. You could’ve been hurt or killed! And Harper and I had no idea what was happening to you. Do you know how terrifying that is?”

Gemma swallowed hard and shook her head. “No.”

“And you missed Bernie’s funeral,” Brian said, but his tone had softened a bit when he said it.

“What?” Her heart dropped, and she finally looked up at her father. “Bernie’s dead?”