Helen: Is in hiding. And just a reminder, it’s because of the postcard that the police even knew Lena was alive in the first place. Or at least, that’s what this friend, Kacy Tremaine, said.

Julia: So I know we went into this with Brady, but why do you think Lena sent that postcard? Allegedly sent.

Helen: I know Kacy turned it in to the police; they tested it and did handwriting analysis and everything, but it wasn’t introduced at trial. And that makes you wonder.

Julia: It’s kind of old-school, isn’t it, a postcard? I buy a few at every CrimeCon, but I never mail them. They just pile up in a drawer.

Helen: I don’t think this one reads like a cry for help or a confession. It reads like some kind of inside joke. We asked about why Brady would reach out to Michael, but I think it’s equally interesting why Lena reached out to Kacy. Because she really could have just disappeared.

Julia: Do you think she was hoping to get a new sidekick or a partner in crime, since her husband was out of commission?

Helen: Maybe. Now we know about Kacy’s past with the allegations of art theft and embezzlement. Maybe Lena thought there was a chance to tempt Kacy to the dark side.

Julia: Like if you, Helen, were a serial killer who’d been working with a partner, maybe you wouldn’t want to go it alone.

Helen: And if I wanted to entice you to join me and be my very best butcher buddy for always, I know exactly who I’d kill for you.

Julia: [laughing] Somewhere my ex is getting very nervous.

Helen: Double-lock your doors, you cheater!

Julia: So when this postcard first shows up, nobody except Kacy really knew what it meant, but later, it’s so obvious that Lena was referring to a woman from Kacy’s past.

Helen: Lena’s “surprise” is Kacy’s worst enemy.

Julia: Wouldn’t you want to kill her?

CHAPTER

24

ON THE WAY back to the apartment, I passed a strip mall and glimpsed a salon. I didn’t have an appointment, but maybe they could lop off an inch and my story about getting a haircut wouldn’t be a lie. But when I pulled up in front, I could tell it was too busy. Each stylist was working on someone, and there were three more people waiting. But next to it was a drugstore. I could do this myself.