Cubby and Katie helped them up the bank. Then Noah and Lani were wrapped in blankets.
“You take her back to Howling in Lani’s car, Noah.”
“H-he has my k-keys,” Lani said.
“I’ll get them.” Cubby returned seconds later and handed them over.
“We’ll get to the paperwork in the morning. For now, get her home and warm, and I’ll lock the asshole up.”
She sat with her arms round Buddy, pressed up against Noah, and slowly the heater started to thaw them out.
“My name is Elaine Dwight. I was born in Long Beach. I was an only child and my parents left me lots of money. My father was a business whizz.”
“Lani, calm down.” She was talking so fast he could hardly understand her. “You’re safe now, here with me.”
“I know, but I’ve wanted to tell you for so long who I am. I need to get this out.”
“Okay, but slower.”
She exhaled.
“I went to California State University and loved cheerleading. My best friend is Mel, who’s nothing like me. She calls me Nutty because I love peanut butter.”
“Good that it’s not for any other reason.”
That made her giggle.
“I talked to Mel.”
“Really?”
“She asked if I was your Noah.”
“I told her that I’d met you and we’d had sex.”
“Made love,” he corrected.
“Made love.” She exhaled again.
“FYI, you’ll always be Lani to me.”
“N-Noah,” she sighed. “I’ve pretty much lived a lie for four years.”
“I know, and I read your letter and know most of it anyway.”
“You found my letter?”
“When I searched your room. The opening line was a killer. ‘If you find this and I’m dead, you need to know that I was murdered by Barnaby Lester.’”
“I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“I’m sorry you had to write it.”
She leaned on his shoulder.
“My life is such a mess, I wouldn’t even know where to start to explain it to you, Noah.”
“I love you.”
