Hannah looked out the front and watched Dan West do his chores for the last time. Bent over the vegetable patch, he sliced off lettuce with a vengeance. His face was obscured by a hat, but his arms were bare and red from the sun.
He’d be leaving Rockford soon, leaving broken hearts behind. Sasha’s. But Mom and Dad’s too. Even Hannah’s body was heavy with loss.
Turning away, she busied herself in the house until she heard from the bedroom, “Hannah, I’m done.”
She strode out to the kitchen and plopped her hands on her hips. “Are you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you done? With me, with Sasha?”
“She made it clear what we had was over.”
“Was it real, Danny? What you had?”
He swallowed hard. “For me it was. And you know Sasha wouldn’t have been with me if it wasn’t real for her, too.”
Hannah let out a heavy breath. “I appreciate that.”
“Before I go, I wanted to tell you something about Trouble.”
“She seemed friendly enough.”
“Well, she liked me well enough to have foiled Bobby Competti.”
“What?”
“She…attacked him. He had me at gunpoint and she came running at us and knocked him over. He lost the gun, I pulled mine before he could grab his again and I shot him.”
“How’d she get out of the pen?”
“I have no idea.”
A rumble of laughter. “That’s my Trouble.”
A real smile from him. “I gave her hay and some tree bark, but I wish she could be rewarded.”
“I’ll feed her some vegetables. She loves them. She can’t have a lot, which is why she’s confined to the back, but a bit will spoil her.”
He shifted from one foot to the other. “I guess this is goodbye.”
Knowing she had to make the first move, she crossed to him. Hugged him, and said, “Stay safe, buddy.”
He hugged back. “I’ll try.”
And he left.
Sad now, she went to the living room and watched him drive away in his battered car, appreciating the absence of the awful window coverings. She wondered what kind of vehicle he drove in real life. Where did he live? What would he do now?
Shaking off the unhappy thoughts, she checked the time and went to take a shower. She was in her car and heading to town in twenty minutes. She drove into Agape’s parking lot and walked up to the building and, once inside, over to the counter. “Hi, Violet. I’m here for an appointment.”
“Hi, Hannah. Let me see who you’re with.”
So Eric had gone ahead and given her to someone else. She’d had to call him and tell him she was taking a hiatus from dating and physical therapy.
“Sally’s your new PT. Sit for a bit. She’s finishing up with another client.”
Just as Hannah sat, the door opened and in walked…Eric. He startled.
“Hi, Eric.”
Drawing her up by the arm, he said, “Let’s go outside.”
She let him usher her through the door and over to one of the tables scattered in front of Agape. They sat.
His blue eyes shone with hurt in the morning sun. “So, you’re back. After your hiatus.”
“It’s a long story.”
“Did it include another guy?”
“No. But my situation was…critical. My whole family went to Italy for a while.”
“I see.”
“No, you don’t. I didn’t ditch you. I told you on the phone I couldn’t date for a while.”
“That you did.”
“I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
He stared out at the people across the street. A mom bent over a baby in her carriage and Hannah wondered if she’d ever have a child. Finally, he turned to her. “Okay, I’m game. Will you go out with me now?”
“I’d like that.”
“Tomorrow night. Dinner at Café Italiano?”
“I can do that. You live in town, right?”
He nodded. “I’ll meet you there at six?”
“Six is good.”
They went inside, he talked to Violet, then left.
Sally approached her. “Hi, Hannah. Welcome back. Let’s go to the computer and call up your chart. See where you left off.”
When Hannah headed back home, she felt lighter. Sally was a gifted PT, and Eric believed her story. She hadn’t lied, but the truth of the matter had to be concealed. The Manwaring family didn’t need more publicity. She thought about Dan and Sasha’s loss of him. Maybe she’d go over tonight and spend some time with her sister. Sasha was bound to be lonely.
* * *
Annalise’s heart beat fast, a good fast, an excited fast, as the entire House of Representatives was called into session by Speaker Palermo. After everyone quieted, she said to the 433 people, “I’m going to introduce you to the new class of electees. Please, stand when your name is called. The rest of you hold your applause.”
She began the roll call alphabetically. “Next is Annalise Manwaring.”
Some grumbling. The Speaker glared in their direction, then gave Annalise’s accomplishments. She was valedictorian of her class at Georgetown, earning high honors. She’d clerked for a Supreme Court judge. She’d worked at the TJP. She deserved to be here. Speaker Palermo didn’t include the fact that Annalise had also married her boss. But Annalise would work hard to overcome that black mark.
After the session, she met in a smaller room with the Climate Committee. She was pleased to be assigned to such an esteemed one. Pleased and surprised. Composed mostly of progressives, their proposals were interesting and the dynamics even more so.
At lunchtime, she met Luke and Andy at their favorite pizza place in town. “Hey, there she is.” Luke stood. “The newest member of the House of Representatives.”
“Along with twenty others. But I’m happy.”
She kissed the top of Andy’s head. He never balked at her affection, even in public. “Hi, Mom.”
“Did you order?” she asked Andy.
“Not yet. Tell her what you want.” After he finished with the anchovy, sardine and hot pepper description, she chose a Margarita pie for herself.
Andy looked young and happy, with his new haircut and boyish clothes. “Can I go play the video games while I wait?”
Luke smiled. “I think that’s why we came here. Fifteen minutes then come back.”
When they were alone, Luke grasped her hand. “So, the committee?”
“Some of it was boring summaries, but necessary. The rest was interesting. I gave my opinion but stayed away from tangling with anybody. Even though our favorite member, Cam Randall, made outrageous suggestions.”
“He’s a jerk.”
“What did you do on your morning off?”
“I took Andy to orientation at school. They were gracious about his record and understood about his early-life foster care.”
“Did they talk about it in front of Andy?”
“I wanted them to. He handled himself well.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Any more details on the Rockford scene? How are the girls?”
“I talked to them when I got to my office. They were both hurt by Dan West. Sasha immeasurably. I think it’ll take a while to get over his lies.”
“Did he leave town?”
“I hoped he would. But Hannah said he was staying for the bakery opening on Saturday, then hightailing it out. Good riddance.”
“Where does he normally live?”
“I don’t know.”
“Huh. Well, maybe the healing will start when he’s gone.”
“Anything new at TJP?” Where he worked. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve been helping to create ads for the Democratic party. I wish you were still there.”
“In some ways, I do too.” She kissed his nose. “I miss you all day.”
“I miss you, too.”
* * *
Andraya Facetimed Sasha from Maryland where she was staying with Dad. She lounged outside, near the pool. The water looked inviting and the sun bright. “How are you?”
“I’m hanging in there. You’re at Dad’s house?”
“Yes. I stayed with Mom for three days and then I came to Dad’s for the same. Fifty-fifty. I’m making sure not to choose sides.” Andraya studied her face. “You’re miserable.”
“I am. I saw Dan today. He’s leaving right after the bakery’s grand opening.”
“I’m sorry you’re sad. Do you want to talk about it more?”
“No. Tell me why you called.”
“To see how you are, and I wanted to ask you about the opening.” Andraya didn’t believe in dissembling. Sure, she called to see how Sasha was, but also needed to ask her sister a sensitive question.
“What, Dray?”
“Dad’s a mess. Mom is sad, too, but she’s not as bad off as he is. Mostly because the decision to stay at Annalise’s condo was hers.”
Mom had told the girls on the plane what her plans were.
Sasha sighed. “I don’t want Dad to be miserable.”
“You still mad at him?”
“Some, but it’s getting eclipsed by other emotions. Did he tell you he found almost exact duplicates of the paintings and pictures Mrs. Bruni lost in the fire?”
“No, he didn’t tell me. How sweet.”
“The same as you, honey, with the cookbooks.”
Andraya smiled.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I want to bring him up to the bakery opening. You don’t have to spend time with him. Just be civil.”
“I can do civil.”
An angling of her head. “Can you do warm?”
“Maybe luke-warm.”
“That’ll do.”
“Now, I’m sick of talking about myself and Dan. Tell me how you’re doing. Anything new with those kids who acted up in orientation.”
“Renata said to let it go for the rest of the summer. When school starts, if they behave inappropriately, I’ll send them to her. She’ll either make them follow her rules, get them help for their issues, or boot them out. She’s very particular about her schools.”
“How about men?”
“The English teacher asked me out.”
“The cute one?”
“Yeah, arrogant though. I said I’d think about it.”
“Go. If he’s that bad, put him in his place and leave him stranded.”
“Oh, that sounds fun.” She cocked her head. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Keep calling. I like seeing your gorgeous face.”
“Thanks, sweetie. Right back at you. See you soon.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
* * *
Sasha was happy so many people came to the grand opening of Bruni’s Bakery at noon on Saturday. Joan, Will, Thomas and most of the other workers talked off to the side. Liam was alone. Even the new mayor showed up.
Sasha had given Andraya the go-head for their father’s attendance but she hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to him yet. They just exchanged waves across the room. She was softening toward him. The pictures were a big influence on that, as Mrs. Bruni cried when she saw them on the walls.
When Dan walked through the door, her heart bumped in her chest. He scanned the room and when his gaze found hers, she nodded. God, he looked good. His stylish haircut suited him, his tailored clothes fit him and those blue eyes were the best!
Then her mind went to how he’d changed his appearance to dupe everyone and the notion unnerved her. So she threaded through the crowd and managed to step outside, where she could breathe better. Once there, she decided to do some light exercises before the ceremony so she climbed the stairs to her studio. Standing at the barre, she closed her eyes breathed in, breathed out, breathed in, breathed out.
She felt something, a presence, behind her. She opened her eyes and saw him in the mirror. “Hello, Liam. I’m glad you came to the opening.” He was handsome today, too, in dark brown shorts and a silky beige shirt. Well, maybe there were more fish in the sea.
“Hi, beautiful. You got quite a crowd. How are you?”
“I’m fine. You?”
“Couldn’t be better.”
“Great.”
She turned around. “Well, I should…”
He’d stepped close, then closer, invading her personal space. In front of her like this, he seemed a lot bigger, a lot stronger.
“Liam, what are you doing?”
“I see Danny boy is here.”
“Um, yeah.”
His hazel eyes flared. “You still fucking him?”
She scowled. And pushed at his chest, but he didn’t move. “None of your damned business.”
“But it is.” He tipped her chin with one finger, trailed it down to skim the scooped neck of the peach dress she wore. She batted his hand away. Or tried to. Instead, he gripped her arm and dug his fingers into her biceps.
Sasha stomped on his foot with her heel; when he startled back, she reached into her pocket for her cell. “I don’t know what the hell you think you’re doing but…”
He yanked the phone away and threw it to the floor.
“Get out, Liam.”
“No way. I’m here for payback.”
“Because I said I didn’t want to see you?”
“Nah. You really aren’t my type, babe.”
Who was this man who’d turned from Jekyll to Hyde? Suddenly, she was more than scared. Panic was setting in. “T-tell me why you’re acting like this.”
He glanced at his watch, slid his hand around his back and, oh no, he pulled out a gun. “Maybe I will, before I shoot you.”
She gaped. “I don’t understand.”
“Boy, you can be so damned naïve. I thought it was phony at first but it isn’t.”
“Please, Liam.” She stalled for time. If she was gone long enough, someone would come looking for her. “Tell me why you’re doing this?”
“Okay, doll.” He poked the barrel into her ribs, making her breath hitch. “Remember I told you I had sealed records from my teenage days?”
God, he had. Why hadn’t she seen that as a warming sign? “I do.”
“I grew up in Brooklyn and hooked up with a gang.”
“You, um, you said you’d outgrown your issues.”
“Apparently not. Instead, I made friends with the gangbangers.”
“And?”
“Can you guess who one of ‘em was?”
“No.” Please, God, don’t let it be Danny.
“Bobby Competti.”
Her hand clapped over her mouth.
“We stayed in touch after we both left the gang. He went into his father’s business and I became a firefighter because I like being around fire. And I get to light some of the blazes myself.”
“Tell me you didn’t set the one in this building.”
“No, unfortunately. Anyway, Bobby called me when he found out Larson wrote those stories. And he heard the shithead was in Rockford.” He shoved the gun into her stomach so hard it hurt.
“Why would you stay friends with the likes of Bobby?” Keep him talking. “You could have had a nice life here.”
“A boring one, you mean.”
“How did Bobby find Danny?”
“I don’t know. But when all those guys showed up in Rockford, I knew something was going on.”
“The Secret Service could have been here for Dad.”
“There were too many of them. I called Bobby and told him about them. He used that to figure out that Larson was the guy who betrayed him and he was in Rockford.” A dark scowl. “He shouldn’t have come to town when he did because I was on the night shift and couldn’t help him. Your boyfriend killed him.”
His other hand went to her throat. “I’m getting bored with all this talk. Now, shut up and say your last rites.”
Last rites? She got mad at that. In a last-ditch effort to take care of this herself, she lifted her leg to knee him in the groin. He growled in pain and bent over but he kept the gun trained on her. He straightened quickly. “You fucking girl…”
Over his shoulder, she saw a shadow in the mirror.
Danny, with his gun drawn.
He bolted forward. And stuck the barrel in Liam’s neck. “Drop it, Murray. The whole Rockford PD is about to rain down on you. I called them before I came up looking for Sash.”
Liam snarled. “I got my gun inches away from your lady’s stomach. If I shoot her at close range she’ll die and her guts will spill all over the shiny floor.”
Sasha gulped back a moan.
“You drop the gun, Larson, or I fire mine.”
Instead, Danny yanked on Liam’s shoulder so hard, he stumbled back. Sasha scrambled out of his range and got behind Danny before Liam could regain his footing. When he did, he aimed at Danny’s heart. “Wanna see who gets dead first?” There was a crazed tone to his voice.
Shots rang out. But Liam fired seconds behind Dan and he slumped to the ground. A bullet lodged in his head.
Dan clutched his chest and fell backward into Sasha. She couldn’t handle his weight and they both went down. “Danny!”
She managed to sit up and reach for one of the towels she kept on a side shelf. She pressed one into his chest. Leaving one hand on the terrycloth, she leaned over to get the cell from where it had landed. It was just out of reach. She stretched, and stretched, finally able to slide it over. She propped the phone up against Dan’s side and punched in a number.
Soon, Eddie and Milt burst into the office, her father behind them. They all dropped to the ground beside her.
“Don’t move yet, Sasha.” Eddie said. “Release your hand. I’ll replace you. We have medical training.”
She let go of the towel.
Eddie looked down at Danny then up at her dad. She saw why.
Dan’s eyes were closed and he was bleeding all over Sasha.