“They’ve cloned my phone and computers to see if they can trace who sent the text. They’ve questioned all of us, gathered the foundation files from Mother’s office and the house. And they’ve talked to staff at the hospital and at Simon’s office. Only one thing was missing from the house—her diamond bracelet. You remember, the one she wore all the time.” Kate rubbed her eyes, the fatigue beginning to wear on her. “There was a broken window by the front door, but it could have been done later to make it look like a robbery gone wrong. At this point, Detective Anderson feels it’s someone we know. Or at the very least someone Mother knew.”

Blaire’s porcelain skin looked even paler than usual. “Unfortunately, I think your detective is right,” she said. “Did he give you any update on suspects?”

Kate shook her head. “He won’t share the details, but he assured us he’s being thorough.”

“Well, he seems to be. When he questioned me just now, he told me he was going to talk not only to my doorman but also to a neighbor who saw me. I think he’s good at following up. Let’s run it down ourselves. You were home when your dad called, right? Where had he been?”

“He’d been home earlier that day and went back to the hospital.”

“Okay, good. What about Simon?”

“He was at work. It was late, but that’s not unusual.”

“Was anyone there with him?”

Kate made her voice neutral. “Another architect. Sabrina Mitchell.” She didn’t want to get into the Sabrina situation right now.

“What if we make a list? Think of everyone you know. It could be anyone. Colleague, client, employee, extended family.”

Suddenly, the idea of this evil psychopath being someone close to her was too much for Kate. She closed her eyes and stayed very still, hoping to quash the painful twisting in her gut. She felt a hand on her knee, and when she opened her eyes, Blaire was kneeling beside her.

“I’m going to call Daniel and tell him I’m staying on, that I want to be here with you.”

“No, no. I can’t let you do that. I’m sure he’s missing you. And besides, it’s almost Christmas. It’s enough that you came for the service. It means the world to me.”

“I want to be here for you now. There have been so many years we’ve missed.” Blaire reached a hand out to Kate.

“But don’t you need to get back to your writing?”