“Maybe Elsie called him to help her escape. Or maybe he was a witness to the murder.” Decker took another sip of coffee. “In the meantime, McAdams and I will be back to righting tipped mailboxes and recovering lost pets.”

“Bringing a dog or cat back to its family can be very meaningful.”

“You’re not kidding.” He smiled. “Animal owners can be the most grateful people on earth. They love their pets.” He squeezed her hand. “Good to have you home.”

She said, “Barbecue tonight?”

“I’d love it. So would Tyler. Unless you’d rather be alone.”

“No, Tyler can come. He’s like a fixture here at dinner.” She gave him a smile across the table. “You know, we’re alone now.”

Decker smiled back. “Yes, we are indeed.” He stood up and wiped his mouth. “I guess that stranded cat is gonna have to wait.”

CHAPTER 21

A WEEK BEFORE THE party, I got my cast off. It had been six weeks and my fracture had healed and I felt liberated, as if the beating were a distant memory and times ahead were bound to be better. Hope is like that. No matter how bad things get, it’s always tucked away in a back pocket.

The night of the bash, I noticed that the dresses that Chris had bought me were tighter. I had put on weight, but I had also gotten some of my curves back and that wasn’t a bad thing at all. The black number I decided to wear was all silk and sequins with a boatneck front, a plunging back, and a very short skirt. I shimmied when I walked and reflected any illumination that came my way. Chris was too busy to do my hair and makeup, so I did both myself. I looked older—crow’s feet and smile lines were visible—but I was less painted. More like myself and less like one of his girls. Chris was also too busy to walk me over to the lounge. That job was entrusted to one of his bodyguards, Jorge, who was medium-size but packed guns both muscle-wise and weapon-wise.

When he pulled the lounge door open, the space looked like an updated high school prom. Lights and streamers all over the place, a full band playing loud music, several bars, lots of conversation and laughter, servers passing out copious amounts of drinks and food. Chris had told me to come at around eleven, but by that time, it appeared that the party had been in full swing for hours.

My heart started racing.