“You’re more important, Aunt Nadine. You’re a priority.” But I was in Colorado this afternoon and wouldn’t have been able to rush home. Again, he had that nagging sense that he was going about this all wrong. That Aunt Nadine was only getting worse, and he would fail her again in ways he couldn’t yet imagine.

Doubt flitted across her expression. He knew where that came from, and regret squeezed his chest. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately and I wasn’t there to help you put up all those posters for Freckles.”

“Because you’re busy with your job. You don’t need to apologize for that.”

He pinched his nose. How did he explain? “Yes, I do have a job, and I’m in the middle of a murder investigation.” Two murders now. “Putting up posters for a lost dog is one thing. But your health and your life are another.”

His aunt seemed to stare right through him. Oh no. Was her mind going somewhere else? These episodes were getting worse. She suddenly focused in on him. “I understand. You don’t need to talk to me like I’m a child. Remember that old adage, ‘No one ever wished they had worked harder on their death bed.’”

He smiled. What else could he do? “I’m duly chastised.”

Jack kissed her on the cheek. “When they set you free, I’ll take you home.”

He noticed the time on the wall clock. As much as he needed to stay focused on the investigation, he would take a couple of hours off to be with his aunt this evening and get her settled. He’d already spoken to Francine, who would come by and sit with her later.

Still, maybe he should call it a day to be with his aunt.

“Aunt Nadine. When do you go back to your primary doctor?”

“Not for a couple of months. Why?”

Jack wanted her doctor to run more tests. She seemed much too young to be suffering with dementia. He’d done some Internet research, but that could be both terrifying and dangerous and lead a person down an entirely wrong track.

He eased into the chair near the bed and hoped they would release her soon.

“Jack, why did you ask about my doctor?”

“Just wondering so I can make sure to be there with you for the appointment.”

Maybe he should tell her the truth before it was too late for her to understand. He’d sent Francine on her way to run her own errands before she came by to hang out with his aunt. He crouched so he was eye level with her. “Listen, Aunt Nadine, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Her eyes teared up. “No, no. I’m the one. I . . . I have a confession to make. It’s about your father—”