Page 128 of Liar's Point

“I think it’s possible.”

Alex shook his head. “If you’re right—”

If. He didn’t really believe her.

“—what is the message he’s sending?”

“It comes back to control,” she told him. “He’s saying, ‘I can get to you anywhere. And there’s no way you’re getting out of this marriage alive.’ ”

Alex stared at her, and she thought that maybe, just maybe, her words were starting to sink in.

“It’s a warning, Alex. He’s telling me exactly what will happen if I insist on following through with the divorce. I’ll have some kind of ‘accident.’ ”

He tipped his head back and looked at the ceiling.

“What about Lucas?”

The question startled her. “My brother? What about him?”

“Was that real, or did you just want to get me to agree to work for you for cheap?”

“No.”

“No?”

“No, I mean, yes, my brother is real. And he lives in a group home in Arizona. He’s one reason I can’t just walk away from my marriage and never look back. I need money.”

Alex stared down at her, and she could tell there was a debate going on in his mind. He prided himself on being a problem-solver, and she could tell he wanted to solve hers. But she also suspected he was regretting the day he invited her back to his office and agreed to let her drag him into the dumpster fire that was her life.

And for a discounted rate, even.

He was probably standing there right now, thinking of how he could get himself out of this. She couldn’t really blame him.

“Here’s the thing, Cassandra.”

Her shoulders tensed. Here it came.

“You should have come to me earlier,” he said.

Guilt gnawed at her. He was right. If she’d come to him sooner, and told him the truth, and asked him to help her go to the police, maybe Danielle would be alive right now.

Alex eased closer, pinning her with a stern look. “No more lies. I mean none, or I’m out.”

She gazed up at him, letting the words sink in. No more lies. Not even lies by omission? That wasn’t possible—she’d omitted a ton already. But she bit her tongue and nodded.

“I can’t help you with your problem unless you’re honest with me. Information is king in my business. You understand?”

“I understand.”

“Okay.” He nodded. “Here’s what we’re going to do.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

Nicole came awake slowly. She registered the throb in her ankle. The patter of rain on the windowsill. Then warm weight lodged against her side.

Slowly, she sat up and blinked into the dimness. Judging by the light, it was early. But maybe it only looked that way because of the rain. Lucy slept soundly beside her.

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