Page 141 of The Woman Left Behind

Her eyes got big when it came over her, remembering that question was one she was waiting on an answer to for her tragedy.

Therefore, Harry went to her and pulled her into his arms. She rested her hands on his chest.

“This is the first time something like this has happened. We got him on video. I know who he is. It’s just finding him now,” he told her.

“Okay,” she replied.

“Normally, even the stupidest criminals know not to directly dick with a law enforcement officer in this way,” Harry went on.

“If you know who this guy is, do you know if he’s stupider than the stupidest criminal?” she asked.

He smiled at her. “He’s not the brightest bulb in the box. But he might think he can intimidate me. Though, he also knows me, so he probably knows that’s not going to happen.”

“So…” she let that trail to prompt him to go on.

“If I had to guess, he definitely knows we’re looking for him. He knows what he did, even if we don’t understand the full extent of it yet. He’s running scared and he’s the kind of guy who would act out rather than do the right thing.”

She slid her hands up to his neck and remarked, “You’ve got a very complicated job, Harry Moran.” She used her thumbs to stroke the sides of his throat. “You sure it doesn’t weigh on you?”

“I never said it didn’t, honey,” he told her gently. “I just said there’s nothing else I’d want to do. Some days are like today, irritating and frustrating. The thing I know is that humans will never stop doing that kind of shit.”

He had to go on carefully, but he’d already learned this was Lillian Rainier. Simon and Avery had raised a strong, smart, loving girl who could take some serious licks.

So he went on.

“But then we get those days we can give answers to people who need them and justice for people who deserve it. There isn’t a job out there that doesn’t come with some heavy, Lilly. Maybe mine is heavier some days, but in the end, it’s worth it.”

She had that look on her face again, the one she wore that morning, and he thought it was about what he’d just said, and perhaps it was.

But there was more.

“You gave me more than a thermostat today, Harry,” she noted.

He did.

She had a new doorbell with a camera and there was also a camera on the side door that led to the backyard from her garage.

“It’s basic safety these days, sweetheart.”

It was the truth, but there was more.

She knew there was more because she cocked her head.

“And I’m not taking any chances,” Harry continued. “I know Ronetta comes and goes as she pleases, but I’m going to ask you to lock your doors when you’re home from now on. You should do it anyway. I just want to be careful. I can get you new locks so Ronetta and George, and anyone you want can get in with just a fingerprint.”

“That might be kinda fun,” she replied.

He was glad she was going to look at it that way.

The kettle whistled and she slid out of his hold to go get some mugs and a box of tea.

After she’d set everything up and poured the water, she handed him a mug.

“Peppermint,” she explained. “The massage therapist told me I had some crazy knots in my muscles, and I might get a little nauseous because she released some toxins. She wasn’t wrong. I feel kind of queasy. Mint helps.”

“You got Epsom salts?” he asked.

She shook her head, cautiously sipping, then she said, “Wait. Someone sent a basket of bath stuff after they heard about Mom and Dad. I think there were some salts in that.”

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