Val knew Gavin was right. It would be Jennifer’s word against Melinda’s. Bridget’s mental state back then meant she could not be considered a reliable witness. Melinda might have killed two children. But she, also, made a ton of money off Gabrielle’s first husband’s death. Mrs. Morgan wasn’t the only person to profit from that.

Val’s phone buzzed. She looked at the number. It was Jack. Her pulse exploded. She hadn’t spoken to him since the night they went to dinner, when he wanted to talk about the future between them. Val replayed that night over and over but there was nothing she could have done differently. Jack was ready to take their relationship to the next level. And she was not.

Gavin, he was the reason why not. He had to be out of her thoughts and out of her heart before she could do anything with Jack. It wouldn’t be fair to him otherwise. Three in a relationship is one too many.

“How’s your case with Gabrielle Morgan?” Jack asked.

Val explained everything.

“Well, then. You are on your way to understanding poisons to a level I could only dream of.”

There was a moment of awkward silence.

“Jack—”

“Val, let me say something first. I’d really like it if we could go back and be like we used to be. I miss my friend. When and if you’re ready to move forward, let me know. We’ll discuss it then.”

“Jack, I would love that.”

41

Val and Gavin sat in Bridget Morgan’s family room. The new housekeeper had let them in. It had been one week since Val was last here, trying to escape from this house. It still sent shivers down her spine and the thought of coming back was terrifying to say the least. But hell, if Bridget could be in this house, sitting calmly, after everything she’d been through, Val could certainly do it as well.

Right now, Bridget sat next to her, blanket wrapped around her shoulders, and honestly looking as good as she could have. With a little color in her cheeks, long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, eyes bright and not glassy, Bridget had a serene quality to her.

Years of abuse, poisoning, medication cocktails served by her mother could never be erased though. Her speech was still a little immature, her thought process disjointed. Bridget had a fragility that made it seem as if she might break wide open at any moment.

No, Bridget would never be normal but at least she could function, and today she was coherent. She also knew, mostly, what had happened to Gabrielle and Adam. Gavin had asked Val to be the one to question Bridget, hoping Val would be far less intimidating and Bridget would open up the best she could.

“Were Gabrielle and Adam in this house for the entire five days before they died?” Val asked.