“For being there for Mercy. I love her like a sister and it’s been tearing me up not to be here for her. She told me that you’ve been supportive and I appreciate it.”

Liza didn’t deserve thanks. She didn’t want it. “She’s supported me, too.”

Farrah just smiled, squared her shoulders, and reentered the party chaos.

Liza took out her phone and googled the shooting from the night before. The details were worse than she’d expected. Both of the fallen officers were family men who’d left wives and small children behind. There were photos of the scene and . . .

There, in the photos, was Tom. He and his partner, Ricki Croft, were talking to a uniformed officer. Everyone in the picture looked exhausted.

She found herself texting him a message of support before she remembered. They weren’t friends right now, and that was on her. She felt small and petty. This was a big case and he probably needed someone to talk to.

She could do that. Just talk to him. Couldn’t she?

Yes. She wasn’t seventeen anymore. She was an adult. Then act like one. So she texted him.

Saw the story from last night online. You look tired. Call if you need to talk. Still want to be there for you if you want me to. That’s what friends are for, right?

She hit send before she could change her mind, then watched Abigail play.

GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

SUNDAY, MAY 28, 3:15 P.M.

Tom had been waiting for Rafe to leave Mercy’s side for an hour. He needed to talk to the man, but this wasn’t a conversation he wanted documented in any way.

He also didn’t want to disclose any details that would be distressing, not yet. He especially didn’t want to mention last night’s murders. Tom had suggested that Rafe keep Mercy off social media until after her birthday party. He hadn’t wanted her to know about the two dead cops and one dead civilian woman.

She deserved one day free of stress.

What he hadn’t anticipated was that Rafe would also stay offline. The homicide detective had been in communication with his off-duty cop friends and the Bowie security guys, but Tom had instructed them not to mention the incident from the night before, either. It seemed that no one had said a word, and Rafe and Mercy were having one wonderful day.

Gideon knew, though. He’d seen the police report the night before. Tom was grateful the other agent had called him before calling Rafe or Mercy.

Together, Tom and Gideon had determined how to best protect the Sokolovs. Having called this house his second home since he was a teenager, Gideon had directed Raeburn’s agents, placing them strategically around the perimeter. They’d personally knocked on neighborhood doors, advising the locals that security was heightened so that no one would inadvertently cross the perimeter and set off alarms.

Many of the neighbors were gone because of the holiday weekend. Tom was grateful for that. He didn’t think any of them were in danger unless they got caught in the cross fire. He’d been personally patrolling the streets, making sure everyone was safe.