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Amanda didn’t pick up, so I left her a message. I told her that I had some questions about Vince. That might be enough to get her to call and to keep the call private. Neither of her sons needed to know about this old, water-under-the-bridge issue. I didn’t even know for sure that Vince had done anything wrong besides hitting Molly.

That was enough for me not to lik e or trust him.

As I’d expected, Emma was ecstatic to be at the pet store. She had to greet all the checkers and stockers as well as the other two dogs in the store. As we were checking out, I noticed one of the clerks was watching something on his cell phone. He held it out for the othe r clerk to see.

“I told you, they’re raiding the place now. I bet they find all kinds of illegal stuff there. Drugs, guns, and I heard that they’re trafficking women and children.”

I glanced over as I ran my card through the machine. It was the New Hope compound. Not only was Greg’s truck there, but all the South Cove police units as well as several from the county sheriff and a few state police cars. I saw several additional cars park ed on the road.

A woman I recognized from having worked with her occasionally, Anya Carter, was escorting children from the meetinghouse into a van parked in front. “They’re taking the children.”

The checker who handed me my receipt nodded. “South Cove police went in to do a welfare check and all heck broke loose. I hear one off icer was shot.”

I grabbed my bag and hurried Emma to the car. Then I called Greg. I got his voicemail and left a terse message. Then I called him again. This tim e he picked up.

“I take it you’ve heard. I’m fine, but Tim got shot. Shoulder wound. He’s at the hospital in Bakerstown. Can you go over and sit with his wife? I can’t leave here, and her folks live in Iowa.”

“Sure. I have to take the groceries and Emma home, but I’ll get there as soon as I can.” My breathing started slowing just a bit. “I thought you mi ght have been—”

“Which is why I picked up. Let me talk to you later. I’ll call Esmeralda and have her sit with Tim’s wife until you get there. She offered but I wanted to see if you had time. You’re good at this.” I heard a yell from his end of the line. “I’ve really got to go. I l ove you, Jill.”

“I love you too. Stay safe.” I hurried to say both bef ore he hung up.

“I will.”

Then the call ended. I put my phone in the drink holder next to the bottle of soda I’d bought at the drive-through. It had a screw-on cap.

“Sorry, Emma, but we’ve got to get you home so Mommy can come back and sit at the hospital. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I’ll find someone to come and let you out in a few hours.” I’d ask Esmeralda if she’d stop by on her way home, since she lived across the street. I had a lot of fallback people to help with Emma. I guess that’s what made us a community. We were all ready to jump in at a m oment’s notice.

When I got to the hospital, Tim was in surgery, so they directed me to that floor to find his wife. Dona was maybe twenty-five and, as I looked at her, at least six months pregnant. Had Greg told me they were expecting? I hugged her and met Esmeralda’s gaz e. “How is he?”

“The doctor says the bullet went straight through. They are repairing a tear in his shoulder or something. I never could listen when doctors talk.” Dona rubbed her belly. “Even with this little one. I don’t want to know anything I don’t have to un til it’s time.”

“How long will he be in there? Have you eaten lunch?” I glanced at my watch. It w as almost four.

“I didn’t want to leave.” She looked up at me. “Is it bad that I’m starving?”

I smiled and rubbed her shoulder. “You’re eating for two. Esmeralda, can you take her downstairs, and I’ll stay up here and wait for news? If the doctor comes out before you get back, I’ll come get y ou right away.”

“If you think it will be okay.” Dona looked scared.

Esmeralda pulled her to her feet. “It will be more than fine. Tim needs you to take care of yourself. You don’t want to fall and break something because you’re hungry. How would you take care of Tim if that happened?”

Dona took one last look at the double doors leading to the surgery center. Then she focused on me. “You promise to come get me if there’s any news. Even bad news.”

The look on her face almost broke my heart. “Dona, I promise. Go take care of yourself and your baby.”

As they walked to the elevators to find the cafeteria, Esmeralda turned back and mouthe d, “Thank you.”

I nodded, then sank into a chair and pulled out one of the three books I’d brought with me to read . Just in case.

My phone buzzed as I settled into one of the plastic-and-metal chairs to wait. I looked at the text. It was from Greg.

Can you ask Esmeralda to go to Kane’s funeral with you tomorrow? I know, don’t judge me. I’d go but everyone here is ticked because we pulled three kids out today who were taken from the parent who had custody. Including the guy you sent me earlier. Just watch for anything unusual. Please and thank you, Mrs. King .

I smiled at the last message and quickly responded time and place before he ch anged his mind.

When Esmeralda and Dona came back, I had good news. I’d been just about to go get them. “The surgeon was just here. Tim’s in recovery and doing well. They’re keeping him overnight and he’ll meet you in room 302 in thirty minutes or so.”

“Should I go now?” Dona pic ked up her bag.

I shook my head. “That nurse, Kathy, she’s going to come and tell you when he’s out of recovery. They still have to set up his room. Esmeralda and I can’t go into his room , just family.”

“Okay.” Dona set her bag down, then sat in the chair. “He’s done with surgery and so that’s off my worry list. I need to update my church prayer group and tell them the news.”

“We’ll be right over here.” I took Esmeralda by the arm. When I was sure that Dona was busy on her phone, I turned to Esmeralda. “Greg wants you and I to go to the funeral at the New Hope comp ound tomorrow.”

She listened as I told her what he’d said and why we were going instead of him. Then she glanced at Dona. “One of those so-called guards shot Tim. I’m not sure I should be going either. At least I don’t have to have a gun to hurt someone.”

I wanted to laugh, but she was being serious. “I think that’s why he’s sending you with me. I’ll pick you up at eleven?”

“Fine.” She glanced at her watch. “I have a client coming tonight. I’ve called and let him know I might be late, but he said he’d wait. Can you sit with Dona until Tim gets into his room?”

“Of course. That’s why I’m here. Thanks for filling in until I could arrive.” I leaned closer. “Can you do one more thing, without alerting Greg?”

“You want me to work behind his back?” Esmeralda’s face told the story: I’d have to have an excelle nt explanation.

“Just until we find out if there is fire wi th this smoke.”

Esmeralda stared at me. I guess that wasn’t a New Orle ans expression.

“Look, can you pull up any records on Vince Penn? I’m mostly looking for domestic abuse charges, but anythi ng would help.”

“Amanda’s ex-husband?” The unasked question was clear. Esmeralda knew what I w as looking for.

“Exactly. I found out earlier that he hit Molly Cordon on Sunday. Before I tell Greg, I want to make sure he didn’t hit Amanda when they were married. Or else it’s not going to be pretty.” I smiled as I saw Dona close her eyes and curl up into the chair. “I’m glad Tim’s out of the woods.”

“Being in law enforcement is a dangerous position. For both the officer and their spouse.” Esmeralda met my gaze and for a s econd, I froze.

I hadn’t even thought about what might happen to Greg. I worried, yes, but over time, his job had started to seem normal to me. At least, normal if you worked all the time and had to deal with crimes and criminals. Had I ever even considered what being Mrs. Greg King would be like, besides the name change and the way it looked on stationery? “I guess this is the for-better-or-worse part of the vows this weekend.”

“I wondered if that part of the decision had hit you yet.” Esmeralda hugged me. “It wasn’t Greg today. Just be thankful for that and be there for Dona. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Oh, one more favor? After your client can you check in on Emma? I might be home by then, bu t if I’m not?”

Esmeralda hugged me. “Of course. That’s not a favor . I love Emma.”

I went back to sit with Dona and took out the book I was trying to read. Typically, a book could keep me out of my own head for a while. After I read the same page three times, I tucked it away in my purse. I also put one in Dona’s tote. Just in case she needed something to get thr ough the night.

Then I sat and thought about my future. Ab out our future.

* * * *

Greg was home by the time I pulled in the drive. I’d waited with Dona while they moved Tim to his room, then I’d left her with magazines, snacks, and a couple of drinks from the gift shop. I’d even put in a pen and a pretty notebook in case she wanted to write down instructions from the doctor. Hospitals always gave you tons of paperwork when you were discharged, but there was always one thing the doctor said that wasn’t on the hundred and thirty-two pages that I then promptly forgot. I’d wake up days later in the middle of the night and realize I hadn’t been using a four by six bandage or I’d wrapped the incision wrong afte r I cleaned it.

But maybe th at was just me.

I dropped my keys and tote on the foyer table as I came inside the bright house. I thought the house had never looked so welcoming. Emma ran from the kitchen to greet me, and I sank my face into her soft ruff. I felt the tears before I realize d I was crying.

“Hey, what’s the matter? I called and talked to his doctor at the hospital. Tim’s fine. A little sore but he’ll be back to work in a few weeks.” Greg had followed Emma out to the living room to greet me, and now pulled me to my feet and into a hug. He wiped my tears away with a kitchen towel that announced it belonged to a farm-t o-fork kitchen.

“I don’t know. It was just, something Esmeralda said about how dangerous your job is and I got to thinking about it and I’m just glad you’re not hurt or worse.” I said it all fast, hoping to get it out before I self-edited my words. I rubbed my face. “Sorry, I think this week has just been a bit overwhelming.”

He studied me. “Are you sorry w e got married?”

I sank into a chair when we reached the kitchen. “No. Not at all. I think I’m just realizing what that means for our future. I knew you were in police work. I just boxed up all the dangerous parts and painted over the seams with South Cove magic. Then when Tim got shot, the box blew wide open. I’m fine. You’re fine. We’re fine. I’m just be ing emotional.”

“First responders have a higher divorce rate than the national average. It’s not just the time away from each other. It’s the what-could-happen factor. I guess I figured we were past that since we’ve been living together.” He put the teakettl e on the stove.

“Me too. But something about seeing Dona tonight just kind of broke me. She looked so sad. So fragile.” I took his hand. “I’m really gla d you’re okay.”

“Me too.” He set out two cups and put tea bags in them. “So I’ll break my rule about not talking about open cases and tell you about the welfare check today. The guy you sent me from the Facebook group called in the request for his son. But from his post, I think it was more of a challenge to see if we’d even check up on the kid.”

“Yeah, I got that too.” I stood and grabbed my notebook and pushed it toward him. “There’s a list of all the people who have been posting about New Hope. I’ve crossed off the ones who are dead now and added any other relatives who might have taken up the cause. Beth has a lot of information about New Hope as an organization. I put in a call to Anya, but I haven’t heard back. I saw her on the news report. I guess she’s busy with the kids.”

“She said to tell you she’d call tomorrow and congrats on the wedding.” He turned off the stove when the teakettle began to scream. He poured the hot water over the tea bags and set the cup s on the table.

I reached for the honey and added it to my cup. “If my kid was taken away from me, I’d do anything to get hi m or her back.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking the same thing.” He glanced at my list. “Have you talked to Molly lately? I called the hotel she was staying at and they said she moved out.”

I was backed into a corner. I couldn’t ignore a direct question. I think it was in our marriage contract somewhere. Amanda was going to kill me. And Molly. “She’s staying in Bakerstown now. She and Vince got int o an argument.”

Greg’s eyes narrowed. “Does she want to press charges?”

“I said an argument. How did you get from that to assault?” I didn’t look at him, focusing instead on dunk ing my tea bag.

“I know why my mom divorced him. Jim and I both know. We were days away from doing an intervention when she called and told me he’d moved out and she was filing the paperwork. I think she wanted to protect herself, just in case he didn’t get the point.” Greg squeezed the water out of his tea bag and set it on a paper napkin. “Jim and I visited him later that day and explained the facts of life. I didn’t hit him. But I’ve never wanted to smash in someone’s face so bad. I know, it’s not what you want to hear from the man you just married.”

“Actually, I was afraid that if you found out, you’d go after him. We all know the stats on abusers. They don’t just stop hitting women. I don’t think Molly’s going to press charges, but we should watch him just in case he doesn’t take the hint.”

“He’s an idiot.” He looked up from his tea. “So Molly’s okay?”

“She’s shaken up and has a black eye.” I sipped my tea. It was nice being home. Telling Greg everything. It had been a crazy day. “Oh, I asked Esmeralda to look into Vince’s background. Just in case.”

“And she wasn’t supposed to t ell me, right?”

The tea was working its magic, and I could feel my muscles relaxing. I was home. Greg was here with Emma. All was right in my little world. “Yeah, sorry.”

“Honey, there’s not much that goes on around here or around those I love without me finding out. But I appreciate the concern.” He picked up a pen and started crossing nam es off my list.

“What are you doing?”

He looked up and smiled. “Removing the people we’ve already checked for alibis. “Remember, I am a professional investigator. I d o know things.”

My face warmed and he laughed.

“It’s fine. I appreciate your work. Looking at the obituaries for next of kin, that was pretty impressive.” He took out his notebook and wrote a few names into it. “I’ll have Esmeralda check on these. And I’ll have a chat with Vince if he hasn’t already skipped town. He’s broken ties with Molly, his current golden goose. And Mom’s not giving him anything. I’ve made sure of that.”

“Sometimes it’s crazy how close these investigations get to the people in our lives.” I finished my tea and stood to turn the kettle back on to warm more water. “Have you been able to get our favorite minister off the sus pect list yet?”

He groaned as he closed his notebook. “No. Bill took a drive before church on Sunday morning. He was back at the church at ten but the time of death Doc gave me doesn’t clear him. It cleared Molly, though. He was dead for at least an hour before the paramedics got to the mission and we have video showing when she came into the parking lot and when she left. And, Mrs. King, the vid eo clears you.”

“Wait, I was a suspect?” I turned away from the kettle I was trying to will into whistling.

He shook his head. “We always look at the person who found the body. I thought you’d kno w that by now.”