‘That sounds like Daisy. She couldn’t help you directly, but she couldn’t sit still, either. That girl has too much energy.’
‘And she uses it well.’ Mercy handed him her phone. ‘Read it. Tell me what you think.’
Rafe read Jeff’s most recent article and had to admit it was really well done. ‘I like this one better than his last one, that’s for sure. I like this angle better than his last one, too. And that he’s letting survivors tell their own stories is admirable. I suppose the downside is that it will stir things up for you. If we left it alone, the hubbub would die down and nobody would remember his first article.’
‘It would die down,’ she agreed quietly, ‘but it wouldn’t disappear. It wouldn’t even be refuted. And I did want to use this situation to help in a bigger way. Jeff’s idea is a good way to start. He’s also enlisting therapists so that anyone watching will know where they can get help. It’s what I wanted to do, but I didn’t want to go on camera to do it. The thought of being in the spotlight makes me kind of sick, to be honest.’
‘If you want to say yes, Mercy, then say yes.’
‘I do. Daisy says she also has a few reporters lined up to talk about Jeff’s channel on the TV news and in the newspaper. They’re just waiting for my go-ahead. They think they can whip up some positive attention.’
‘If this gets more views, the original article could get pushed down in prominence.’
She grimaced. ‘I thought that too, which is self-serving, but at this point I’m okay with that.’ She typed out a reply, then hit SEND. ‘There. Not overthinking it. I said yes. It’s done.’
He touched his forehead to hers. ‘Proud of you.’
Her smile trembled at the corners. ‘Thanks.’ She leaned into him, resting her cheek on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her. ‘This is nice, being with you like this.’
‘It is. But it’s getting late and we’re meeting the others at nine forty-five. We all leave for Santa Rosa at ten.’
She drew back, staring at him warily. ‘What others? Who is “all”?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Everybody. Or just about. André told me that we’d better take Farrah with us today, because she was an utter mess yesterday, worrying about you while they were driving up to Snowbush. And if she goes, he goes.’
‘All right. Who else is everybody?’
‘The usual,’ he said lightly. ‘Agents Schumacher and Hunter are our bodyguards and Tom’s bringing a plus-one.’
Her brows went up. ‘A plus-one?’
‘His friend who works in a nursing home similar to the one we’re visiting today. She works with veterans at the moment, specifically senior vets with dementia. Since Ephraim’s mother also has dementia, Tom thought Liza would be a good resource. And then Gideon and Daisy are coming, too.’
‘Wow. But I guess it could be worse. Molina could be coming.’
‘She wanted to,’ Rafe said, ‘but she’s got meetings at the field office that she can’t avoid.’
‘Darn,’ Mercy deadpanned. ‘Don’t get me wrong. I don’t dislike her, but she makes me nervous.’
‘Me too,’ Rafe admitted. ‘Now drink your coffee before it gets cold, then take your shower. I’ve already taken mine and we need to get dressed before folks come knocking on the door. André texted and said that Farrah’s making breakfast and bringing it down.’ He kissed her lightly before moving off the bed, but paused to take a last look. ‘You look really good in my bed, Mercy Callahan.’
Her dimples appeared, even as she blushed. ‘Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.’
It was his turn to deadpan. ‘Wow, the compliments will go to my head.’
‘I’ll spend today thinking of better ones,’ she promised. ‘Oh hey. I got sidetracked with that email from Daisy and forgot to ask about Erin. How is she?’
Rafe took a clean shirt from his closet and shrugged into it. ‘Awake and cranky, according to Sasha. Mom sat with Erin last night so that Sasha didn’t have to and could sleep, but Mom’s coming home today. Erin’s mother got there sometime during the night and can stay today. Then Sasha will stay with Erin until she’s released, at least a few more days.’
Mercy hesitated. ‘And no new news on Ephraim’s whereabouts?’
Not wanting to answer that question, Rafe picked two ties from the rack and held them up. ‘Blue or brown?’
‘The blue one. Rafe, don’t keep things from me. Please.’
His fingers stilled on the blue tie and he lifted his gaze. ‘Hunter messaged me. He figured you’d want to hear this in private, versus in a crowded car, but . . .’ He hadn’t wanted to tell her. He still didn’t. But she was waiting, expression now one of dread. ‘Ephraim killed two more people last night. A young couple in a camper.’ He had to force himself to tell her the rest of it. ‘They were on their honeymoon. He left their bodies at their campsite in the truck he stole when he ran from Snowbush. They were discovered an hour ago by the campground owner.’
Closing her eyes, Mercy pursed her lips. ‘Dammit, Rafe,’ she whispered.
‘I know,’ he whispered back. ‘We’ll find him, Mercy.’
‘I hate this,’ she said, fists clenched and voice breaking. ‘I hate that innocent people are dying because of him. Because he’s after me.’
‘I hate that he’s after you, period,’ Rafe said. ‘But last night you promised not to make yourself a target again. I’m going to hold you to that.’
She opened her eyes, devastated tears spilling over and running down her cheeks. ‘I keep my promises.’
He exhaled, not having realized he’d been holding his breath. ‘Thank you.’
Twenty-three
Reno, Nevada
Tuesday, 18 April, 10.05 A.M.
‘Again, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Edie,’ Amos said, shouldering his backpack, Abigail’s small hand clutched in his. ‘You’ve gone to a lot of trouble for us.’
‘It’s no trouble,’ Edie assured him with a smile. She’d changed out of her McDonald’s uniform and now wore a tunic that said SMITH’S. ‘I’m happy to help.’
She pushed open the door to the public library and walked in, pausing a moment to breathe deeply. She looked at them over her shoulder. ‘I love the smell of books.’ Then she smiled. ‘Do you like books, Abigail?’