Kate nodded. “I ordered them online. I had them wrap them for me, since I ordered so late.” She rose from the sofa and went to sit next to Annabelle as she unwrapped each one. “Look, sweetheart.” Kate took a book in her hand. “Dragons Love Tacos. We’ll read it together later.”

Annabelle laughed. “He’s funny. I like tacos too.”

“Wow. Lots of books. Let’s see what else you have there,” Harrison said as Hilda picked up the discarded wrapping paper and put it in a bag.

Annabelle tore the paper off the next one. “Look, Mommy. Why does this man look so mean?” She handed the book to Kate, and Blaire leaned forward for a closer look.

Alarm filled Kate’s face. “Um, this book is not for you. Must be a mistake, sweetie.”

Her blood ran cold when she read the title—Watch Mommy Die. It was the true story of a serial killer.

“Let me see it,” Simon said, taking the book from Kate and flipping through the pages. His face paled.

“I didn’t order that,” Kate said in a trembling voice. Blaire could see how difficult it was for her to hold it together.

“You must have,” Simon said.

“Of course I didn’t!” She grabbed the book from Simon and jumped up. The way she was holding it, Blaire thought she was going to rip it apart.

Annabelle sat silently, looking back and forth from Simon to Kate, obviously upset at all the commotion. Hilda took the child onto her lap and tried to distract her.

“Maybe you ordered it by mistake . . . looking for a grieving book, and that came up,” Simon said, his voice soft and calming.

“That’s ridiculous. I didn’t order this,” Kate said. She’d lowered her voice so that Annabelle, now happily playing with her other presents, wouldn’t hear.

No one said anything, and Kate faced them angrily.

“I’ll prove it,” she said, and ran from the room.

“She wouldn’t have ordered that. It must be a mistake, don’t you think?” Blaire said, looking first at Simon and then to Harrison.

“There must be a reasonable explanation,” Harrison said. “Did you order any books?” he asked Simon.

Before Simon could answer, Kate came back in with her laptop and sat down. “I’ll show you my order history. You’ll see.”

They exchanged looks as Kate clicked away. Finally, she looked up at them. “I . . .” She stood up, and the computer slid to the floor.

Blaire picked it up and looked at the screen. The book had been purchased the day after the others, but it was definitely an order that Kate had placed. Blaire swallowed. Kate’s state of mind was clearly deteriorating.

“It’s a mistake,” Kate said, her hand at her throat. “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe,” she repeated, her body heaving as she tried to inhale.