“Can’t.” His reply was more like a cough. A gasp.
“I don’t suppose you got the money you promised to pay Louie here.”
“The girl,” he mumbled, his head pounding. A few more hours, that’s all he needed.
“Eight thousand dollars you owe.”
He knew that—more than what his father’s house was worth—but he’d pay. Every cent. The family still needed him.
His uncle sighed. “Guess it’s easier this way.”
But it didn’t seem easy to him. “Izzy—”
Louie leaned down, the broil of anchovies on his breath. “Where’s Isadore?”
“Haven,” he slurred. “Haven House.”
Fingers curled around his wrist. “You’ve been helping yourself to the family funds.”
“No—”
“I vouched for you, son, and then you stole from us.” His uncle jerked Simon’s arm. “No one makes a fool outta me.”
Then he knew. The men weren’t here to get their money. They’d come to remove him from the family.
If only he could run...
They grabbed his arms, his legs. Lifted him above the water.
Why wouldn’t they give him more time?
Cold water slapped his sides as they dragged him across the surface. Then rocks. A brick. Something heavy pressing against his chest as he struggled for air.
“Find Isadore.”
Those were the last words he heard before they dumped him into the lake.
38:Olivia
A not-so-gentle nudge woke Olivia, practically shoving her off the mattress.
For so long, she’d wanted to hear God’s voice, but she didn’t expect Him to wake her in the middle of the night and tell her to drive home. Especially now when she was trying to hide from the man who could easily walk through her front door.
If she saw a light inside, she’d wake the police chief. If not, she’d call a locksmith in the morning and rekey the doors. Then she’d hire a couple, like Simon had done in Winfield, to care for the property so she no longer lived there alone.
She should have left Jillian a note, but the thought didn’t occur to her until after she’d grabbed her overnight case and drove away. Garrett would be upset that she hadn’t asked him to accompany her, but she’d never place a member of the Lamb family in harm’s way.
After switching off her headlights, she pulled tentatively up the drive. Ice pierced her spine as she braked near the top. Two cars, both unfamiliar, were parked by the front porch.
While she saw no lights inside the windows, it was time to contact the police. Perhaps she could never prove that Simon had harmed Hattie, but she’d start with her suspicions and then tell Chief Logan about Simon stealing her money. Maybe the chief could help her obtain a peace bond until the attorney finished the separation paperwork.
Either way, Simon would never be allowed back in her house.
Olivia shifted into reverse, but she didn’t get far. Before she backed down the drive, she saw a girl—no, a woman—run to the front door. The woman twisted the knob, trying to get inside.
Olivia switched on her headlights and rolled down the window. “Who are you?”
“Quiet,” the woman pleaded.
