Page 78 of Hidden Nature

“I don’t need—”

“It’s not about what you need,” her mother interrupted. “It’s what we’re going to do. When and if your sister decides to buy a house, we’ll do the same. It’s something we’ve always planned for.”

“Say ‘thank you,’” her father advised.

It took her a minute, then Sloan reached out a hand to both of her parents. “Thank you.”

On the Wednesday before Christmas, Arthur Rigsby checked into a different motel. He switched them up, which Clara thought made him smart.

A cheater, a sinner, but a smart one.

As they had on the two previous Wednesdays, they watched the blonde arrive shortly after. Then, since they’d have about an hour and a half, they drove to a nearby Burger King for takeout and munched on Whoppers and fries while they waited.

They timed it to pull back in the motel lot beside the Mercedes at that ninety-minute mark.

Ten minutes later, Clara shook her head. “Taking more time here than I like. We may have to wait a week. But…”

“You said it’s today, so it’s today. Look, she’s coming out. See how she’s fiddling with her earrings. I bet he gave her those in there. Christmas present.”

“I bet you’re right. Now she’s pulling down the vanity mirror, admiring them. Well, just shame on him. Last present he’ll give her.”

It took him nearly another ten to exit. Clara opened the van door, blocking him from the driver’s door.

“Oh my goodness, excuse me!”

“That’s all right.”

She eased that door closed, stepped back and put a hand on the side door.

“Safe travels,” she said. “And Merry Christmas.”

Rigsby took one step forward before Sam slipped up behind him and plunged the needle in.

Rigsby’s eyes went wide, and he made a “Gah” sort of sound. He struggled, but between the two of them they pulled him into the van.

“You drive, babe. He’s still fighting it.”

As she got behind the wheel, Rigsby rolled, kicked while Sam tried zip-tying his hands. So Sam pushed him back, punched his face twice until he went limp.

“Sorry, Clara, I had to.”

But he’d enjoyed it.

PART TWOTHE CALLING

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully

as when they do it from religious conviction.

—Blaise Pascal

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Sloan studied over and through the holidays. She took time to enjoy Christmas, helped bake cookies, wrapped presents—plus kept up with her physical therapy.

And walked along the path, with the snow-smothered hills reflected in the lake.

The walking and the PT increased when she earned an all clear on the muscle pull.

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