“Shelby. Now,” Dad said.

I rose from the floor and captured Dad’s gaze. “Thank you for these moments with her.” I turned to the nurse. “And thank you for taking good care of my mother.”

He moved away from the door, and I passed by and down the hall. Mom’s medication must be fogging her mind and her request, a type of delirium. I hoped she hadn’t mentioned anything about her suspicions to anyone else.

In the living room, Denton sat in a high-back chair. Across from him Marissa petted the pecan-colored terrier I’d seen earlier. She bent to the dog and it scurried to Denton’s feet and sniffed at my purse. My sister hadn’t changed. White-blonde hair to her shoulders and delicate features. She must have sensed my presence because she lifted her head.

Marissa leaped to her feet and wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her back. “Oh, Shelby, I’m so glad to see you. You look amazing. I was afraid I’d miss you.” We clung to each other for several seconds. She pointed to my purse at Denton’s feet. “Aria’s naughty dog knocked over your purse, but I put everything back. I’m so sorry.”

“No problem at all. I have a puppy too.”

“I hope it’s better behaved.” She hugged me again. “Thank you for coming to see Mom.” She kissed my cheek and held me at arm’s length. “So many times I’ve longed to see you and hear your voice.”

“I feel the same way.”

She inhaled and glanced over her shoulder down the hall. “Dad gave me a choice of contacting you or finding financial support elsewhere.”

“What else could you have done?”

“Nothing really. My daughter and I live here, and Dad has eyes like a hawk. He’s about to retire and hand the business over to me.” Marissa pointed to Denton. “I never expected to see Agent McClure with you.”

I smiled. “It does seem unusual. But we’re friends.”

“He and I have been talking, and he says someone has threatened you?”

I wish he hadn’t mentioned that to her. “Appears so.”

My sister shuddered. “The nightmare lives on. I don’t know anyone who’d want to hurt you.”

“The FBI and local law enforcement in Valleysburg are handling the situation.”

“Be safe, Sister.” Marissa rubbed her arms. “Hope you don’t mind, but I didn’t think it was a good idea for Aria to . . . meet you.”

“Of course.” But my heart ached for the lies separating me from my family.

Footsteps from the hallway alerted me to Dad’s presence. “Why are you still here?”

“I’m leaving now.”

“Shelby, don’t come back.” Dad’s voice dripped with bitterness and grief. How could I fault him when his life had fallen apart?

Marissa touched my hand. “Can I speak to you privately?”

“I will not allow it.” Dad’s voice rose. “She’s seen her mother. Time for her to leave.”

“The ‘her’ is my sister. I haven’t seen Shelby in fifteen years.”

“Do I need to remind you Aria is minus a father because of her inexcusable crime? This is for your own good. You’re too old to believe there’s good in everyone.”