He took her hand in his and stared beyond her, a vacant look in his eyes. “Why? Why?” he kept repeating. “It doesn’t make sense.” He looked at Kate. “At least we know. And now you’ll be safe.” He pulled Kate into his arms.

That was small consolation, she thought.

The following morning, Kate stood just inside the front door and waved goodbye to Annabelle as Harrison drove away with her. Though the police had arrested Simon last night, she was still a nervous wreck, and they’d all agreed it would be better for Annabelle to have some time away with her grandfather. He was taking her to the beach house—a place of tranquility and peace in the off-season. The house was quiet without all the security around; Blaire had gotten rid of them right after Anderson had left. The team that Blaire used on tours was coming later that day. She and Kate wanted to be sure that if Simon hadn’t been acting alone, she’d still be safe.

Kate had spoken to Detective Anderson earlier that morning, and he’d told her that Simon had hired an attorney. Kate had already contacted her lawyer and filled him in. There was no way she’d contribute to the defense of the person who’d taken her mother from her.

Her eyes were swollen from crying, and her head was fuzzy from the Valium she’d taken earlier as she paced the downstairs, going from room to room, straightening a picture, moving a magazine, anything to keep herself from going crazy.

Blaire popped into the living room. “How’re you holding up?”

Kate shook her head. “I don’t know. All I do is rehash everything in my head until I think I’ll go crazy.”

Blaire brought a mug over to her. “Here, I made you some tea. Let’s sit.”

Kate took it from her. “Thanks. Ugh, the house is so empty without Annabelle. Maybe I shouldn’t have let Dad take her to the beach. What if they have a car accident?” She jumped up, panic-stricken. “I’m going to call him. I don’t want her that far away.”

“It’s okay. They’ll be fine. Don’t call while they’re on the road. You’ll distract him.”

Kate took a deep breath. Blaire was right. She could cause him to have an accident. It’d be better to call him later.

“You haven’t eaten since yesterday. Let me get you something.”

Kate waved her hand. “No, not hungry.”

“Kate—toast, something. You’re going to get sick. Annabelle needs a strong mother.”

Kate relented. “Just a half piece.”

“Be right back. Drink your tea.”