Lainie finished tidying everything up quickly; she didn’t have much to tidy. Once she finished, she sat on the couch and surveyed the sparsely furnished room. She hadn’t had time to mourn her home, her things. Lainie had never been overly attached to her possessions, but she had worked over the years to make her house a comfy home.
It hit suddenly that it was all gone—her favorite jeans, the pair of pajamas that were a gift from Evie that she loved, her collection of books, novels, criminology textbooks she’d kept from college, herdesk and all the mementos and awards from her police career, all her photographs.
Delayed sadness overwhelmed her, and Lainie felt a lump in her throat, and tears trailed down her cheeks. “Oh, Lord, they were only things... Help me to keep it all in perspective.”
When the sadness lessened and she blew her nose, Lainie found something to smile about: reliance on prayer was coming back to her. It was beginning to be a habit again, and that was gratifying. By the time Ben knocked on her door, her mood had improved and she was hungry for pizza.
“I have a small table and only two chairs. You’re lucky my furniture came yesterday,” she said when she let Ben in.
“It’s homey with very little. I imagine your house was great.” He opened the pizza box and loaded up two plates with pieces.
“I was just thinking about that, how much I lost in the fire. I had kind of a delayed reaction.”
He stopped the pizza slice halfway to his mouth, then set it down, his expression serious. “I’m so sorry, Lainie. You lost your whole life.” He gripped her hand and gave a reassuring squeeze.
The sincerity in his eyes rolled over Lainie, and pleasure flooded through her. She liked this guy. It warmed her heart.
“I’m okay. I’m sad, but I’m grateful no one was hurt. I realized something recently that really helped.”
“What’s that?”
“Kind of a confession. Ever since Vine escaped the murder charges for Daphne Sparks, I guess I held a grudge against God. What happened with Evie—” She paused and sipped her water. “Well, it kind of brought me back into the fold. And just now I realized that prayer had become a habit again. It felt good, it gave me peace even though my whole world is falling apart in a bunch of disparate pieces right now.”
Ben smiled. Lainie really liked his smile. It lit up his whole face, made him look less federal.
“I get it. I think we’ve all been there, wondering why something horrible happens, why God didn’t stop it.Whyis a question we rarely get answered. I’ve asked it enough concerning Efren.”
“That’s worse than a fire taking my house. I can’t imagine losing a partner.”
“I just wish—” His voice broke, and he cleared his throat. “There would be some consolation if we could catch Vine. If Efren’s work would at least lead to that guy’s arrest and conviction.”
Lainie’s response was interrupted by her phone. Evie. Lainie asked, “How did the visit go?”
“It was hard, harder than I thought it would be, very emotional. I need to talk to you; he had a lot to say. Can I come over?”
Twenty minutes later, Evie was at the door. Her eyes were red and puffy.
“Agent Isaacs, I’m glad you’re here. Stan told me about Efren.”
CHAPTER 51
Ben learned from Lainie that her sister was not yet cleared to drive. When she knocked on the door, her mother was with her. Considering the accident and the time spent in the hospital, he was amazed at how good Evangeline looked, pale but with life in her eyes.
“Wow, I’d never know that you just emerged from a coma.” He reached out his hand and she shook it. Though he could see that she’d been crying. “Are you okay?”
“Thank you, Agent Isaacs. I’m fine, just emotional.” She blew her nose.
“The doctor said that because she was in good shape to begin with, Evie should be back to 100 percent sooner than most,” her mother said.
“I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for bringing her over today. I want to have this talk. We saved you some pizza. And please, call me Ben.”
“I’m not hungry right now.”
Lainie gave them both some water, and she and Ben pulled the kitchen chairs into the living room while Mrs. Jensen and Evie sat on the couch.
“Thanks anyway.” Evie dabbed her eyes.
To Ben it appeared as if she was struggling for control.
