“She won’t look left or right. In a way that’s an advantage. If she managed to bring in any of her old criminal network, that could cause us real trouble. But she wants to bring me down by herself. That’s important, that she does it alone.” Kellen leaned back, satisfied with her analysis of the situation. “That’s it. But that doesn’t fix anything. It doesn’t make our conundrum better. How did she escape from a top security prison? How could she be so smart she outwits us and the authorities?” Kellen was asking for reassurance, for him to tell her everything would be all right.

Max was patient with her, and he obliged. “This island is isolated. Most people don’t even know Isla Paraíso is here, or that the Di Lucas have anything to do with it. And you heard Juan Deung. He was surprised to see us and understood the need for silence. If Mara figures out she lost us, how could she pick up our track and follow us here?”

“That woman—”

“—is wildly intelligent in a horrible twisted way. I agree.” He took Kellen’s damaged hand and massaged it. “But if she could find us, how would she arrive? The island doesn’t have a harbor. It’s darned hard to get any kind of vessel even close. We’d notice an aircraft.”

“Yes.” They would.

“If she figured out a way onto Isla Paraíso, how will she hide herself? Unless she’s planning a quick slaughter, and you know that’s not how our girl works, to scope out our circumstances would take time. She’d have to bring all her food and water, and sooner or later—probably sooner—the Conkles will see her, or we will, and then we have her in our grasp.” He showed Kellen his other hand, then clenched his fist.

Kellen watched Rae disappear over the horizon. “All that’s true, but if she somehow found Rae here, she could do terrible things to her.”

“We both agree it’s you Mara wants.”

I’ll take everything from her, the way she took everything from me. I’ll make her sorry she betrayed me.

“Mara sneaked into our wedding. She could have confiscated a butcher knife, used the turmoil to stab me to death. She disappeared after I lost consciousness, and only reappeared when I was healthy again. The incident in Cape Charade at the funeral home…that was a warning. A horrible, gruesome omen she crafted to frighten us. It worked.” Kellen turned away from the window and gripped the back of the chair so tightly the wooden finials bruised her palms. “I’m frightened, because I know Mara doesn’t merely want me dead—she wants me to suffer.”

“Rae’s a pretty smart kid. She’s not going to talk to a stranger.”

“No? No. It’s just that she’s so…”

“Friendly? Outgoing?”

“Mad at me.”