A silence hung in the room until Detective Anderson finally broke it. “Again, if there’s anything else you can tell me, now’s the time.”

Kate turned to Simon for some kind of assurance, but his face, white and stricken, told her he was as filled with panic as she was.

“Were you able to trace the text my wife received?” he asked.

Anderson shook his head. “No, we need to do it in real time. But if they send another one, we’ll be able to. I’ve also contacted the FBI behavioral unit. I’m going to fill out the paperwork to see if they can take a look at some of this. It could be a long wait, but we’ll see.”

Together, they walked to the front door. Detective Anderson pursed his lips again, shaking his head. “I know you’re frightened. We’re doing everything possible to protect you and your family, but please, be on guard too. Are you sure you can’t think of anything out of the ordinary that’s happened recently? Any hang-up calls? Any strangers who’ve approached you for directions or asked you for something seemingly insignificant? Anything odd at the hospital, Dr. English, or your firm, Mr. English?”

Kate thought about it for a minute but came up blank. She shook her head.

“I can’t think of anything either,” Simon said.

“Well, please get in touch if you do. Anything. I’d rather have extraneous information than miss something crucial.”

“Of course,” Kate and Simon said in unison. Suddenly drained, she leaned against him.

Before Anderson left, Blaire walked into the hallway with a crying Annabelle. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Annabelle wants her mom.”

As Kate reached out to take her daughter, Anderson extended his hand to Blaire. “I’m Detective Anderson. And you are?”

“This is one of my oldest friends, Blaire Barrington,” Kate said. “She came in from New York for the funeral.”

“Would you mind answering a few questions for me?” Anderson asked Blaire.

“Certainly.”

Simon piped in. “You can use my office.”

Blaire followed Anderson back to Simon’s office.

Kate looked at Simon. “I’m really scared,” she whispered. “Who could be doing this?”

Before he could answer, his phone rang. He held up a finger and looked at the screen. “Sorry, gotta take this.”

Kate felt her back go up at his offhanded dismissal. She watched angrily as he walked back down the hall. Taking a deep breath, she took Annabelle back to the kitchen, where Hilda was putting together a snack for her.

“Would you mind taking Annabelle into the playroom?”

“I want you, Mommy.”

“I’ll come in soon, sweetie. I just need to talk to Aunt Blaire for a minute. How about a chocolate bar? Special treat for being a good girl.” Kate winced as the words left her mouth, but sometimes bribery was the only way.