Nathan’s room was orderly but not insanely so. Most of his personal items were missing from the medicine chest and dresser tops. Mandy wandered into the closet. Traces of his cologne sent nausea ripping through her stomach.

She’d slept with a killer. He’d lied to her, but she’d been honest. Foolishly, she’d thought they were in love. She’d confessed her private thoughts, and now he knew many personal things about her. Things he could use to hurt those she loved. As he’d proved in getting threats to her, Nathan might be crazy, but he was smart. She wrapped her shaking hands around her middle. If he wanted to kill her brother, he’d do it.

“Anything in here?”

She jumped.

“Sorry.” Danny put a hand on her shoulder.

“It’s just creepy being in here.” Mandy put a hand to her chest. Her heart pounded against her palm.

“I know. Relax.”

Mandy sucked in a deep breath. Not helping. “No, I didn’t find anything in here. How about the basement?”

“Nah. Looks like the cops got everything interesting.” Danny shook his head

Small lights twinkled in Mandy’s vision. Her knees buckled.

“Whoa.” A strong hand supported her elbow.

“I need to go outside.”

“Yeah. Sure, of course.” Danny steered her from the room, down the stairs, and out the front door.

“You OK?”

She gulped pine-scented air until her head cleared. “I don’t know what happened.”

“Looked like a panic attack.” Danny’s hand was still under her elbow.

“I don’t have panic attacks,” she protested.

“OK.” But his expression and tone made it clear he didn’t believe her.

“But no more breaking and entering.”

“No argument from me. Good girls aren’t cut out for criminal activity.” Was he holding back a grin? If he knew why she was so upset, she doubted he’d be amused.

“I need to go.” She pulled away from his support. Nothing wobbled. She was good to go.

“You’re sure you’re all right to drive?”

“Fine.”

“I’m going to make a stop on the way back.”

Distracted, Mandy closed the door and started the car. The upbeat music of Maroon 5 thumping from the speakers sounded obscene after viewing Nathan’s home. Misery lingered in that cellar like black mold after a flood. She clicked off the radio in her car and drove back to the inn in silence.

Danny filled up his tank and drove through town. As he passed the doctor’s office, Carolyn Fitzgerald was getting out of her red sedan. Her beige suit was spotted with blood. Danny pulled over. He got out of his car. “Do you need help?”

“No, thank you.” Tension added ten years to her face since he’d seen her. She opened the passenger door for a frail-looking man in his sixties.

The man shook his head. “No.”

“Please, Walt,” she begged. “We’ll go right home afterward. I promise.”