Because he is a valuable witness.

“He’s staying here,” Irina said.

“But my presence here may be dangerous,” Amos said, a worried frown creasing his brow.

“I am leaving one of my agents to watch this house and the surrounding properties,” Molina said. “Burton has already broken into one house in this neighborhood to use as a lookout. If he comes back, we want to catch him. Plus, I believe that Irina’s daughter Meg will also be staying to make sure Zoya remains safe.”

“We want you to stay,” Irina assured him. “You and Abigail. You are Gideon and Mercy’s family. We take care of family.”

Amos drew a thick breath, overcome. “Thank you. Where will you two go?” he asked Mercy and Gideon.

“Back to Rafe’s,” Mercy said. She loved the Sokolovs, but she needed the quiet time. “All my things are there and I need to make sure I feed my cats.”

“You could stay here,” Irina said doubtfully. “We have enough rooms here for us, and there’s no reason for Agent Molina’s people to guard two houses.”

To guard me, Mercy thought. None of this would be happening if Ephraim weren’t obsessed with me. Well, Ephraim and now DJ. And, now that she thought about it, the fact that no one had really talked about DJ’s involvement was a giant red flag. Molina knows something that she’s not saying.

Still, Irina was right. As much as she needed the quiet of Rafe’s place, it really was selfish to ask the FBI to expend so many resources. She was about to say so when Molina stepped in and settled the issue.

“We have agents stationed at Detective Sokolov’s house as well,” Molina said. “Burton was able to plant trackers on Detective Rhee’s vehicle, so he was clearly in that neighborhood, too.” She glanced at Rafe. “He also put a tracker on your sister’s Mini Cooper. We found it this morning, after you all had left for Santa Rosa.”

Rafe briefly closed his eyes, his fist clenching. “Thank you for finding it. And for adding coverage to my neighborhood. I’d hate for any of my neighbors to be assaulted like Mr. MacGuire was.”

Molina pushed away from the table. “You’re welcome, Detective. Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Sokolov. Call me if anything comes up. Anything at all.”

GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 8:10 P.M.

“I have food for you to take with you,” Irina announced once Agents Molina and Hunter were gone, Liza going with them.

And none too soon. Rafe liked Tom and Liza a lot, and, while he appreciated Molina’s protection of his family, the older woman made him antsy. She knew things that he needed to know to keep Mercy safe. Which he’d figure out, but first he’d see that his mother rested. Irina looked bone weary and Rafe didn’t like it one bit.

“We still have food from the last time you sent stuff home,” Rafe said.