“Hi,” she said. “I’m sorry to bother you, but Tad and I got an apartment and we don’t have room for my guitar and some quilts. Can I get you to take them to the ranch with you and keep them for us?”

“Your guitar?” he exclaimed. “Why can’t you take it with you? That’s the most precious thing you own!”

She drew in a breath and apologized in her mind for the lies. “It’s sort of a low-rent place. I mean, it’s safe, but I don’t know anybody there yet. I don’t want anything to happen to the few treasures Tad and I have. So, you know, just in case...?”

“I see. I wish you both would come stay with me,” he replied.

“That’s very kind of you. But we need our own place,” she told him gently. “Thanks for the offer. It means more than you know.”

He sighed. “Okay. I’ll hold on to your stuff. Want me to meet you at the house after work?”

“I’ll take a cab and meet you at your office.”

“No sweat. I can drive you to your new apartment, if you like.”

“That’s sweet, too, but we can’t move in for a few days. They’re repainting the bedrooms.”

“I see. Okay, then. I’ll see you after work. Lungs still doing okay?”

“They’re doing great. And I wear the mask when I go outside, just in case,” she laughed.

“Good girl. See you later.”

“Thanks, Cal.”

“Anytime.”

She hung up. That was one problem solved. Now for the next. She called victim services and spoke to Melody. “What about Morris?” she asked when she’d identified herself.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Melody said with genuine sympathy. “I should have called you days ago! I’m so sorry...!”

“It’s okay. I overheard Mr. Banks talking to you just now.”

“I know you’re dreading this. Morris will be in San Antonio late tomorrow, if our information is correct. He still owns the house, yes?”

“Yes,” Clancey said miserably. “Ben, my stepfather, left it to him. He left nothing to his other son, Tad.”

“That’s the way it goes sometimes. Listen, if Morris gives you any trouble at all, you call me. He’ll be on parole, and there will be strict rules. You can take out a restraining order if you have to.”

“If Morris wants me dead, it won’t do any good,” she said quietly. “I just worry about Tad. I don’t think Morris would go after him—he was only three years old when it happened—but he might target Tad to get even with me.”

“He had a good record in prison. He even attended church services,” Melody said.