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“She comes into the shop. Every Monday and Thursday.” I rarely remembered customers unless there was something unusual about them. I hated making extra hot drinks, and this womanalways had a weird, off-putting stare.No wonder.

Adam’s eyes widened. “You know her?”

I nodded, still staring at the image. “Do we have any other pictures?”

“A few, but this is the most recent and the best quality. I dare say she’d make a rather convincing doppelgänger for our dear Izzie.”

“I’ve been serving her for months – and I mean,wellbefore Jon died…” I didn’t like it. “She could have picked up all sorts, just sitting there. Watching us.” The thought made my skin crawl, and then I remembered: “And she’s been coming in later, too. At first, it was early in the day, but it’s been getting closer to noon. She’s out in the sun, Adam.”

“Ah,” Adam scowled. “Well, that’s certainly not a good sign. But if you are correct, it confirms our research is headed in the right direction.”

“I guess.” I helped myself to another piece of toast and slathered it with jam. “Do we know if she’s connected to Isabel or Nicholas?”

“Call it a hunch or what you will, but I don’t think we’ll find one,” he replied, his blue eyes darkening.

“What makes you say that?”

“A woman with a history of murdering her partners… her motivations are unlikely to have anything to do with Nick, I suspect, and more to do with this other unknown Frenchman. Her loyalty to him seems unprecedented.”

He was probably right. I swallowed my mouthful of toast.

“It doesn’t matter who she is, she’s a start. But whoever’sbehind it all knows Nicholas inside and out. They’re not only copying him – theyunderstandhim, Adam.”

“Indeed. It is their understanding of his mind that I find most… concerning.”

???

The hallway was darker than usual after the brightness of the breakfast room. It took me a moment to register I wasn’t alone. Nicholas stood halfway down the grand staircase, his hand resting lightly on the banister.

“Nicholas,” I murmured, knowing my words would carry to his sensitive ears.

“Erin. I didnae expect to see you this mornin’,” he smiled crookedly, removing his headphones and pushing his hair back from his face.

The tiles were cool beneath my feet as I padded down the hallway in my socks.

“I thought you’d be sleeping, otherwise I’d have—” I broke off, unsure what to say.

“I tend to stay up late and wake early,” he explained. “Isabel tells me I’m unusual that way. And o’ course, certain… distractions are worth stayin’ awake for.” His eyes lingered on me in a way that sent warmth rushing to my cheeks.

I nodded, trying to focus on the practical implications rather than the heat building under my skin. I’d always assumed once the sun was up, that was it: a sleep like the dead. Apparently, I’d been wrong.

Nicholas sat down on the second step from the bottom,stretching his long legs out before him, and drawing attention to the lean, toned lines of his body. After a brief hesitation, I joined him.

“How’re you feelin’?” he asked, turning to look at me.

“You mean, after…” I began. “Adam checked me over. He pronounced me acceptable.” I pursed my lips.

“Your face is still bruised,” Nicholas reached out and brushed his thumb over my cheekbone. I closed my eyes, the coolness of his fingertips soothing.

“I’ll be alright in a few days. I heal quickly.”

He nodded, drawing his hand back. I reached out and took it.

“Adam said you’ve been in contact with Tom, about Isabel’s lookalike?” I asked.

“Aye. I… thought he might find it easier to communicate that way, rather than face to face. I expect he finds me less threatenin’ through a computer screen.”

I pulled a face. “I don’t think threatening is the right word. He doesn’t understand why I trust you yet. He will, though. I know he will.”Hopefully.