“That’s the problem.Two women in the same family who could dig their heels through concrete.”
Selena smiled, but the ache behind it remained.“I’ll call her.”
“Good.”
Arnold stood and brushed crumbs from his shirt.“Safe flight, Agent Raven.”
“Thanks, Arnold.”
“You’ll let us know how the big Washington people take the report?Please describe me as dashing.”
“They’ll read it, ask why every page isn’t half the length, then take credit for anything useful.”
Connor said, “Sounds about right.”
Selena shook Arnold's hand, then let him surprise her with an awkward half-hug.He stepped back quickly, red-faced.
“Sorry.Small-town thing.”
“I remember.”
Connor pushed away from the railing.“I’ll walk you down.”
Her car sat at the end of the driveway beneath a patch of shade.They crossed the yard side by side, passing the flower beds Robert kept better than Selena remembered.Bees moved over purple blooms near the fence.Somewhere inside the house, a clock chimed once.
At the driveway, Connor stopped with his hands in his pockets.
“Thanks,” he said.
“For what?”
“Keeping me on a leash.”His mouth twisted.“I think I went mad there for a moment.”
“You had a rough few days.”
“That’s generous.”
“It is.Don’t get used to it.”
Connor looked toward the street.“I could’ve wrecked the case.”
“You almost did.Let’s just hope nothing more comes of Morimer and the FBI.You need to keep your head down.”
A short laugh left him.“Glad you’re being so magnanimous.”
Selena leaned against her car.“I suppose I should thank you, too.”
That brought his attention back.“What do you mean?”
“I was certain it was Marlene.I had motive, opportunity, a lie, and a head wound to prove she was desperate.You always knew it wasn’t her.”
“I knew Marlene.That isn’t the same as solving anything.”
“No, but you saw through something I didn’t.”
“Because I was too close.”
“Maybe.Or because you knew to trust your instincts.”
