Willow stared through the open door, a perfect frame for the picture before her—Austin walking away from her on the sidewalk that cut through the groomed lawn. A hazy mist nurtured the trees, mums, late-blooming roses, and dahlias lining the path. A Salvador Dali couldn’t have been more surreal to her. She could hardly believe she was once again watching him leave, only to wonder if he would come back. At least she’d made an effort to hold on to him this time. The rest was up to him. She sure hoped it was for the right reason—to help her find Katelyn’s daughter, Jamie Mason. How sad it was that she couldn’t even trust her own heart.
“Willow,” Dana said from behind. “You’re not actually thinking of hiring him.”
She turned around and looked at Dana. “I know you don’t like him because you believe he hurt me, but I hurt him too, Dana. That happens in relationships. There are no guarantees. But that was in the past. We have to rise above what happened before and focus on Mrs. Mason’s case and find out if someone killed JT because of it.” Fury boiled in her veins. She couldn’t afford to let the news Austin had brought cripple her. “We have to find out if someone tried to kill me in the fire last night. Despite what happened between us before, Austin just happens to be one of the only people I trust, besides you, of course. Don’t you agree we could use his help? We have to put the past behind us.”
“Just so you remember that and don’t fall for him again.”
“Don’t worry. Never going to happen.” That should be the least of her worries.
“He’s not for you, Willow.”
JT would disagree. “Look, there’s no point in talking about this. So let’s just move on.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry if I sound like a nosy friend. A manipulating mother. I don’t mean to be. I’m just worried about you.”
Willow gave Dana a quick hug. “I’m glad I have someone who cares.” Melancholy threatened to grip her, but she focused on Mrs. Mason’s case. “If only I hadn’t lost JT’s notes in the fire.”
“You know . . . there are more of JT’s notes at the warehouse,” Dana said. “In fact, we should get what we can and put it in a safer place. I can hardly believe any of this has happened. Is happening.”
“We should hire someone to put in a security system too. Someone burned down our house, and they might go after the warehouse next.” How quickly she’d gone from considering closing the business to wanting to fight for it. But solving Mrs. Mason’s case would be telling. Was Willow as talented as her grandfather had been at solving the insolvable?
“We have a friend in the security business. I’ll see if Stan can get something done tonight.” Dana hesitated. “I have to say I agree with Austin on one thing. I wish you wouldn’t pursue finding her daughter now, if that would mean putting you in more danger.”
Too late. “I can’t turn back.” Whoever was behind this would regret targeting Willow or her grandfather. They’d created a resolve in her to find Jamie she hadn’t had before. She hoped her bravado held up. Fear might paralyze her if she stood still too long.
To hide her shaking hands, she said, “I’ll go up and grab my—” Oh yeah. She’d lost her purse containing her identification in the fire. It reminded her of everything she needed to replace in order to exist in this world. Fortunately, her passport should still be in the safe at Anderson Consulting, along with JT’s. She still needed to contact her insurance agency about the house. There was so much to do. The weight of it could overwhelm her. She rubbed her head. “Okay, let’s get to the warehouse first and gather all the pertinent files. While we wait there for security, I can call the insurance company and Mrs. Mason.”
“Sounds like a plan. We’ll pick up something to eat on the way. Stan can grab his own dinner and contact our security system friend to meet us there.” Dana touched Willow’s arm. “Even though I’d prefer you didn’t work on the Mason case, I’m glad you’re picking up the pieces to move forward. But don’t push yourself, please.”
“I’ll be fine.” At some point the police should contact her about what happened to JT, and at that time she would tell them everything she knew about this open case, but she preferred to get her hands on the rest of his notes about Mrs. Mason before she spoke to them.
“I’ll get my purse and car keys. We can ride together.” Dana disappeared up the stairs.
Stan had moved Willow’s vehicle to their home and parked it in the garage in lieu of his own vehicle. Hiding it? Smart man.